The Portlanders and Trailers

In 1968, Grandma and Grandpa bought a travel trailer, and used it on many trips all over the west coast, towing it behind their Pontiac. I remember it being parked in front of their house for many years after that. Judging by where this picture was in the files, I suspect Grandma took this picture as part of her practicing taking pictures before her trip to Finland with Helen and Harriet.

Trailers in Portland have become extra bedrooms during COVID, as well as office space, and guest rooms. They’ve also been resurrected as homes for many, showing up on streets in industrial neighborhoods, and city park parking lots.

The Portlanders arrived from the printers yesterday. Copies can be ordered from www.ThePortlanders.com

My 65 years in Portland, Oregon

There I am in front of Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Yukon Street in Portland, Oregon. This is the first photograph that appears inside my soon to be published book The Portlanders. Along with the picture below of me sitting on Grandpa’s lap in their backyard, I’ve set the stage for my relationship with Portland. I was a regular visitor to Portland for 33 years, and have lived here for the past 32 years.

The Portlanders was prompted by my wandering the streets of Portland for the past 5 years and posting my photographs to Instagram, and on my photography blog Sanslartigue. In the final three or four years of work prior to retirement my projects were in downtown Portland, which gave me ample opportunity to see things I might have missed before. During the 3 years of the Covid Pandemic I’ve wandered our neighborhoods of Sellwood and Westmoreland, and downtown, as well as other neighborhoods around town.

Early this year, Northwest Review asked if I’d like to do a book! They wanted to show Portland as we’re seeing it now. What I’ve seen in my wandering. We’re expecting books from the printer next week. The Portlanders is a link to the web page for the book. I’ll post a few more teasers here this week.

And a Trip to the Beach

Some of the same group as the last two day’s of pictures, but they’ve changed their clothes.  That’s probably, left to right, Rosie, Dad, Chet, Mom and Helen.  Wid behind the camera.

A Trip to the Country

Same day as yesterday’s pictures of Mom and Dad and their College Friends.  I love this photo, such a classic 1950s image with the clothes and the wonderful cars!

This was a very pleasant surprise when I scanned the negative.

College Friends

A cropped print of this picture is labeled “Summer of 1953 or 1954 in Forest Grove with college friends before leaving for seminary in Boston” in Mom’s hand writing. Mom and Dad got married in 1954, and Dad spent the 1953-54 year in Dufur.  There’s no ring on Mom’s left hand, so this might actually be 1954, before the wedding, or 1953, before Dad started his year in Dufur.

That’s Mom and Dad in the center, and evidently Wid Bleything’s shadow, taking the picture.  Helen, to the left of Dad, was married to Wid, and went to Lewis and Clark with Mom.  I’m guessing that’s Chet Cunningham on the right with the camera, and his wife Rosie.  I have no other guesses!

Here’s the same group at the picnic table at Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Forest Grove, obviously the same day.  Everyone’s still a bit more formal, ties and jackets still on.

These were both scanned from negatives.

Dessert after the Wedding Rehearsal

Mom and Dad getting dessert.  Dad looks very worn out, it must have been an arduous rehearsal.  This is at the house on Yukon.  Notice the personalized candles!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom would have been 91 today!  I suspect this is from a bridal shower, or just opening wedding gifts.

Feeding the squirrel

Reba in her backyard, in 1956.

There’s probably a whole series of photos of family members feeding wild animals.

Visser’s Garden and Bob’s memories

Bob shared the following this past week after the previous photos of Visser:

“Interesting coincidence as Wednesday I took a quick run into Portland Memorial and after stopped at 1426. Parked and looked around reminiscing. Today your Family Album Post with Visser. So , some random reminiscing re Dirk—Alway Mr. Visser to me or just Visser. He was originally from Holland and I’m quite sure that after WW II he returned for a brief family visit. There was quite a large population of Dutch emigre in Portland and some had “rides “ that they took to nearby fairs. Visser’s was a Children’s Roller Coaster probably five foot high maximum. He could knock it down to go on a railcar with others. For a long time the Oaks was Home Base.”

 

“When we moved in to 1426 , the corner house, Sharpes, was occupied by a family  named Brooks. Visser had built it first—I think we were the original occupants of 1426. I’m not aware of any others that Visser owned and built but he must have learned those skills somewhere. From our driveway up to 14th was a vacant lot—part of an estate that ? US BANK? was trustee. When eventually the estate was settled, Johans boughtt the 50×100 facing 14th and built that home for themselves and Visser bought the half next to the folks for his “Garten “. Visser had always kept a small patch next to the garage where he raised flowers. Later when Visser died Dad and Johans split that lot.”

 

“Visser lived in a Room at 1708 NW 23rd. Bathroom down the hall. The room was large enough that he kept tools and misc there I was only up there once—sparse!! He always bought a monthly Streetcar pass. Would ride downtown. Have breakfast at the Buttermilk Corner—4th and Yamhill. Then take the streetcar to Yukon. Dressed in a suit. In those days he kept a pair of overalls in our garage and changed there. If Mom and I were going overtown he would loan mom his streetcar pass.”

 

“During WW II he worked in the shipyards as a machinist. Don’t know where he learned that trade.”

 

“Someday I’ll tell you about the Dogwood trees.”

Aunt Jack and Reba

I just love the expression on Jack’s face!  I suspect this might be at Depoe Bay?  Its from October 1953