subject: Where It Started For Portland Upscale Hotels [print this page] Portland has quietly, and decidedly, become something of a cultural greenhouse, nurturing an environment of diversity, artistic expression, and relevance. If you're visiting Portland upscale hotel options are abundant -- if you're staying, the housing options are among the most affordable in the nation. Let's explore it's brief history, shall we?
The city had fewer than 800 inhabitants in 1850. It had a steam sawmill, a hotel, and a newspaper to its name. It wasn't until the late 1890s that the city become a major west coast port of call. But is could never compete with the deep-water port of Seattle, so the City of Roses gladly took its mantle as a major railroad center for the Pacific Northwest.
Once in the shadow of Oregon City, Portland has the advantage of being located at the most navigable part of the Willamette Falls. This strategic location would lead to the city's ultimate success, as it attracted more and more maritime and rail traffic. With a half-century of its founding, it outpaced its closest rival cities, Milwaukie and Sellwood.
Built on an area known as the "Clearing," Portland is situated on the lush banks of the Willamette River. When it was found in 1843, the pioneer William Overton was cash poor. He couldn't afford to secure the land, so he turned to his east-coast financier, Asa Lovejoy, for a loan. Needless to say, Overton got his loan, and got his town.
Bewildered by the prospect of cutting so many redwood trees, Overton sold half of his investment to the ambitious Francis Pettygrove. Pettygrove obliged Overton and began to extensively excavate the land. When it came time to christen the new town, Overton want to name the town after his native Boston, while Pettygrove wanted to name it after his, Portland, Maine. To settle the matter, they flipped a coin -- Pettygrove won the toss, obviously.
