1905 Map of Portland

About this map

The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition grounds anchor the southwestern riverfront, marking a transformative moment in local development at the confluence of the Willamette River and the Columbia River. This 1905 survey captures the regional landscape before extensive industrial dredging and urban expansion reshaped the riverbanks and islands. Across the Columbia, the military presence at Vancouver Barracks stands near the established center of Vancouver, while the north shore is defined by a series of landings and water bodies like Vancouver Lake and Shillapoo Lake. Early rail infrastructure is prominent, including the Northern Pacific RR and the Portland and Vancouver (Electric) Ry, which connected emerging neighborhoods like University Park and Woodlawn to the core. Further inland, the landscape transitions to the Fourth Plains, dotted with numerous sawmills and the beginnings of rural settlements such as Orchards and Brush Prairie.