Pioneer Courthouse and Post Office – (eighteen sixty nine)
It is the First major public building in the Pacific Northwest, now it is the oldest remaining public building in this part of the country.
It is in the Classical Greek revival (restrained) style.
The same architect, Alfred Mullet, built the San Francisco mint, and the state, war and navy building in Washington D.C.
It has a refined and noble appearance.
When this building was built in 1869, it was considered too far out of town to be of great use.
But the builder did this on purpose.
As many of the 19th century cities were being consumed by fires, they wanted to protect it from fire.
And it just so happened that 3 years later, the catastrophic Great Fire of eighteen seventy two, consumed the old town area along 1st to 3rd streets.
There have been many attempts over the years by the Federal government to destroy this building, and many more powerful attempts by Portlander's to preserve it.
Extensively renovated in 1971 to become the U.S. 9th Circuit Court, it is no longer a post office or courthouse. It now includes a visitor's center, with a film and historic information center, and welcomes visitor's.
It has been recently retrofitted to be earthquake proof (a rare base seismic isolation system). This costs several millions of dollars, but the City wants to keep its old courthouse.
Only about 50 buildings in the entire world use this system, as it is reserved for only special buildings.
You may ask!
Portland has earthquakes?
The Cascadia Fault, just off the Oregon coast, is the most likely source of an earthquake in our area.
The Cascadia Fault can produce mega thrust earthquakes with a magnitude of 9.0, or greater.
The last known mega thrust earthquake in the Pacific Northwest was the Cascadia earthquake in the year 1700, when the whole fault line slipped, from northern California, to British Columbia.
The Cascadia fault causes a mega thrust earthquake every 300 to 600 years, so we are due.
Many scientists believe that a mega thrust earthquake, and tsunami, could hit the Pacific Northwest, in the next, 14 days.
So Be prepared!
I'm just kidding. But many scientists do believe, that a mega thrust earthquake, and tsunami, is likely to hit the Pacific Northwest, in the next 50 years.
The Pacific Northwest is beautiful and dramatic, with mountains, cliffs, caves, craters, and other fascinating landforms. Much of this landscape was formed by seismic activity such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Living in and visiting this beautiful region is not risk free, so it is important to be prepared.
Go into the courthouse, and up to the Court house cupola.
Best of all, you can go inside the courthouse (ID required), and view the beautiful, mostly original interior, and climb to the cupola above the third floor, and enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the city, and Pioneer Courthouse Square.
But the cupola isn't just a viewpoint, originally it was from there, that the customs inspectors, spotted which ships were heading in and out of Portland.
Other sights here, include.
PIONEER PLACE MALL, with the Made in Oregon store, right behind the courthouse.
THE historic MEIER & FRANK DEPARTMENT STORE, on the North East Corner.
And, THE HISTORIC, white terra cotta, Jackson Tower, on the South West corner.
Please let me know, if you want to learn about, Pioneer Place Mall, the Meier and Frank Department Store, and, or the historic Jackson Tower.
NEXT, We will be passing by, the historic Heathman Hotel, and "The Schnitz" Concert Hall.
Let me know if you want to learn, about these 2 old Portland institutions.
NEXT SIGHT- THE SOUTH PARK BLOCKS. Portland's Cultural District.
With many more.
Does anyone have any questions?
It is the First major public building in the Pacific Northwest, now it is the oldest remaining public building in this part of the country.
It is in the Classical Greek revival (restrained) style.
The same architect, Alfred Mullet, built the San Francisco mint, and the state, war and navy building in Washington D.C.
It has a refined and noble appearance.
When this building was built in 1869, it was considered too far out of town to be of great use.
But the builder did this on purpose.
As many of the 19th century cities were being consumed by fires, they wanted to protect it from fire.
And it just so happened that 3 years later, the catastrophic Great Fire of eighteen seventy two, consumed the old town area along 1st to 3rd streets.
There have been many attempts over the years by the Federal government to destroy this building, and many more powerful attempts by Portlander's to preserve it.
Extensively renovated in 1971 to become the U.S. 9th Circuit Court, it is no longer a post office or courthouse. It now includes a visitor's center, with a film and historic information center, and welcomes visitor's.
It has been recently retrofitted to be earthquake proof (a rare base seismic isolation system). This costs several millions of dollars, but the City wants to keep its old courthouse.
Only about 50 buildings in the entire world use this system, as it is reserved for only special buildings.
You may ask!
Portland has earthquakes?
The Cascadia Fault, just off the Oregon coast, is the most likely source of an earthquake in our area.
The Cascadia Fault can produce mega thrust earthquakes with a magnitude of 9.0, or greater.
The last known mega thrust earthquake in the Pacific Northwest was the Cascadia earthquake in the year 1700, when the whole fault line slipped, from northern California, to British Columbia.
The Cascadia fault causes a mega thrust earthquake every 300 to 600 years, so we are due.
Many scientists believe that a mega thrust earthquake, and tsunami, could hit the Pacific Northwest, in the next, 14 days.
So Be prepared!
I'm just kidding. But many scientists do believe, that a mega thrust earthquake, and tsunami, is likely to hit the Pacific Northwest, in the next 50 years.
The Pacific Northwest is beautiful and dramatic, with mountains, cliffs, caves, craters, and other fascinating landforms. Much of this landscape was formed by seismic activity such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Living in and visiting this beautiful region is not risk free, so it is important to be prepared.
Go into the courthouse, and up to the Court house cupola.
Best of all, you can go inside the courthouse (ID required), and view the beautiful, mostly original interior, and climb to the cupola above the third floor, and enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the city, and Pioneer Courthouse Square.
But the cupola isn't just a viewpoint, originally it was from there, that the customs inspectors, spotted which ships were heading in and out of Portland.
Other sights here, include.
PIONEER PLACE MALL, with the Made in Oregon store, right behind the courthouse.
THE historic MEIER & FRANK DEPARTMENT STORE, on the North East Corner.
And, THE HISTORIC, white terra cotta, Jackson Tower, on the South West corner.
Please let me know, if you want to learn about, Pioneer Place Mall, the Meier and Frank Department Store, and, or the historic Jackson Tower.
NEXT, We will be passing by, the historic Heathman Hotel, and "The Schnitz" Concert Hall.
Let me know if you want to learn, about these 2 old Portland institutions.
NEXT SIGHT- THE SOUTH PARK BLOCKS. Portland's Cultural District.
With many more.
Does anyone have any questions?
