Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park encyclopedia topics

History

In 1903 the Olmsted Report identified several needs for the City of Portland. Important items within the plan:

need for parks within the city
need for greenways along riverbanks
need for preservation of river access for future generations

These needs were readdressed in the 1912 Bennett Plan, however, the City of Portland had its sights set on the city itself and not access to geographical features.

One problem for downtown Portland and its location by the Willamette was that the river would flood occasionally during the winter. In 1920, a seawall was built to protect the downtown core. Unfortunately, the seawall removed access to the river, a problem that would be exacerbated in 1940 with the construction of Harbor Drive along the bank of the river.

During the mid-1960s, the completion of the Marquam Bridge for Interstate 5 caused Harbor Drive to reduce traffic. In 1968, Governor Tom McCall initiated a task force to study the feasibility of replacing Harbor Drive with open park space. Removal of Harbor Drive began in 1974, and work progressed until the dedication of the park in 1978. The park gained instant popularity, and in 1984 it was renamed Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Park landmarks

Battleship Oregon Memorial

The USS Oregon was constructed in 1893. This memorial erected in 1956 honors this "Bulldog of the US Navy" and its heroic fight in many naval battles. Underneath the memorial lies a time capsule: Sealed on Independence Day, 1976, it will be unearthed and opened July 5, 2076.

Founders' Stone

This memorial honors William Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy, who are said to have tossed a coin to determine the city's name. Had the outcome gone the other way, Portland would have been named after Boston, Massachusetts.

Police Memorial

The police memorial was constructed in 1993 at Southwest Jefferson adjacent to the Hawthorne Bridge. It is dedicated to Portland Police who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Salmon Street Springs

This artistic and play fountain is extremely popular in the summer. It was dedicated in 1988 and recycles up to of water per minute through as many as 137 jets.