Have you ever noticed every city has some unique feature that sets it apart from all others. Portland, Oregon has a living room. Yes, an outdoor living room of sorts. It is formally known as Pioneer Courthouse Square and it occupies a full city block. It's mission is to welcome everybody, from everywhere to our beautiful city. Come, let me show you around.
This block was once occupied by The Portland Hotel, a "U" shaped structure that had a court yard leading up to the entrance. An ornate wrought iron gate welcomed you to their court yard. The hotel was razed in 1951, and a parking garage took it's place. The wrought iron gate was placed in storage, preserved as part of Portland's history.
In 1972, Portland developed the Downtown Plan, with the idea of bringing the downtown core back to life, making it more 'user friendly'. Thus, Pioneer Courthouse Square became a germ of an idea. Ideally the square would be open, airy, and a welcoming place where you could "sit a spell", eat you bologna sandwich, read the newest 'best seller', or to simply watch the people strolling by.
In order to help defray the cost of this undertaking, we were encouraged to buy bricks, that would be imprinted with our names. They would become part of the Square, excitement abounded. If this worked, downtown Portland would be a showpiece. Construction began. There were plans for a Rapid Transit system, the buses would filter along the core and there would be a shopping mall called Pioneer Place.
Portland went wild with anticipation. Finally on April 6, 1984 nine thousand citizens were there for the opening of our beloved Square. It was amazing, our Square was even recognized by Times Magazine as one of the "ten most notable design achievements" in the country.
Now, let me take you for a stroll around the Square.
We'll enter through the Portland Hotel Gate (the one so long in storage), it stands exactly where it did when it adorned the entrance to the grand Portland Hotel's court yard. Walking through the gate, you will see tall concrete pillars surrounding the sides of the Square, they are holding up the imaginary ceiling, while the red bricks represent a carpet personalized with names of contributors to the project during the construction stage.
Gazing off to the left you will see a flight of steps and at the top stands a bronze figure of a man. In his right hand he holds an umbrella. His left arm is raised and he beckons us to come...he is eager to share his umbrella with us, rain or shine. We call him Mr. Congeniality although the sculpture is called "Allow Me". Mr. Congeniality is probably the most photographed gentleman in town as locals and visitors alike enjoy having their picture taken with him.
In addition to the bronze sculpture and Portland Hotel gate, the Square boasts a 75 seat theater, a bronze chess board, an echo chamber, a mile post sign, a waterfall fountain, keystone lectern, and a weather machine "an innovative creation that consists of three weather symbols Helia a stylized sun for clear days, a Blue Heron for drizzle, mist or transitional weather, and dragon for stormy, rain and windy days". Each day at noon a musical fanfare announced the appearance of one of the three symbols.
Over the years, our living room has become more charming, comfortable and friendly, the gate is always open and welcomes everybody to impromptu noon time music or scheduled events, like food and drink festivals, book sales, flower shows, outdoor summer movies, political functions, and the popular annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. If you would like, and to see pictures of Pioneer Courthouse Square, check out http://www.thesquarepdx.org/history.htm
In closing, here's to you my dear friend, and 'auld lang syne' to you, I cannot allow this occasion to go unnoticed, Happy Anniversary Pioneer Square, I won't be around for your fiftieth, I sure hope you will.
No comments:
Post a Comment