The Waldo Building, the big beautiful cast-iron building, in front of us on the corner, to our left, was built in eighteen eighty six...
It is at the heart, of Portland's original Chinatown.
This building, is an example of Victorian Italianate cast iron architecture (with iron pilasters with modified Ionic Capitols) and with two adjacent structures, comprises one of the few full blocks of 19th Century street facades in Portland. It has been used as a residence and for activities by the Chinese community.
It was also the headquarters for a Chinese tong (a secret society often tied to criminal activity). At the time, Portland was home to 4,400 "Celestials", the nations 2nd largest Chinese population.
The Waldo Building basement contained opium dens, and was used for gambling and other nefarious activities, that flourished here in Portland's original Chinatown.
And Shanghai tunnels to adjacent buildings were used as escape routes...
This famous corner was also the location of the Snug Harbor Saloon and Johnson & Sons Undertakers in the late 1800s. These 2 businesses played a big part at the center of an international investigation, which gave Portland an international reputation, in the shanghaiing trade. More on that famous incident in a little bit.
SEE PICTURES.
Snug Harbor Saloon
One of the gems on this block, and of Portland's cast-iron era, is the Grand Stable & Carriage Building, next door.
Built in 1886. It features a classic High Victorian Italianate style.
Visitor's to the city could leave their horses and wagons & hire carriages for "Balls, Opera's, Funerals, Riding, Calling", or to ferry or train depots.
Now, it is renovated, a showpiece, and is on the Historic Register.
Up 1 block, on the left, is The Police Headquarters building. It's completion in 1913, coincided with an era of change for the forces of law and order.
In that year, steps were taken to clean up decades of corruption, and ‘palm-greasing', by the local saloons and gambling, drug, & other nefarious houses.
Next, In 1 minute, we'll see the Railway Exchange Building, and Huber's Restaurant, (eighteen seventy nine, & 1891)
The building was the very 1st, renovated, in 1971, after the era of urban renewal in the 1940s to 1960s, when they tore a lot of the old buildings down, in the so-called "name of progress".
Inside the Exchange Building, is Huber's, Portland's oldest restaurant.
In 1891, Frank Huber hires chef Jim Louie, a 21 year old Chinese Emigrant with a knack for roasting turkey's; a turning point for Huber's, now the longest-running restaurant in town. (Louie even served turkey sandos, to customer's in boats, during the epic eighteen ninety four flood).
The picturesque restaurant is still owned by Louie's descendants, the chef's grand-nephew introduces tableside Spanish coffees, the inventor of the Spanish Coffee fiery spectacle, to the menu in the 1970s.
If you order a pair of Huber's famous Spanish Coffees, the bartender will choreograph your elegant glasses of 151 and Bols triple sec, into a ritualistic fire dance.
It served as a speakeasy during prohibition.
NEXT IS THE SKIDMORE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
With many more.
Does anyone have any questions?
It is at the heart, of Portland's original Chinatown.
This building, is an example of Victorian Italianate cast iron architecture (with iron pilasters with modified Ionic Capitols) and with two adjacent structures, comprises one of the few full blocks of 19th Century street facades in Portland. It has been used as a residence and for activities by the Chinese community.
It was also the headquarters for a Chinese tong (a secret society often tied to criminal activity). At the time, Portland was home to 4,400 "Celestials", the nations 2nd largest Chinese population.
The Waldo Building basement contained opium dens, and was used for gambling and other nefarious activities, that flourished here in Portland's original Chinatown.
And Shanghai tunnels to adjacent buildings were used as escape routes...
This famous corner was also the location of the Snug Harbor Saloon and Johnson & Sons Undertakers in the late 1800s. These 2 businesses played a big part at the center of an international investigation, which gave Portland an international reputation, in the shanghaiing trade. More on that famous incident in a little bit.
SEE PICTURES.
Snug Harbor Saloon
One of the gems on this block, and of Portland's cast-iron era, is the Grand Stable & Carriage Building, next door.
Built in 1886. It features a classic High Victorian Italianate style.
Visitor's to the city could leave their horses and wagons & hire carriages for "Balls, Opera's, Funerals, Riding, Calling", or to ferry or train depots.
Now, it is renovated, a showpiece, and is on the Historic Register.
Up 1 block, on the left, is The Police Headquarters building. It's completion in 1913, coincided with an era of change for the forces of law and order.
In that year, steps were taken to clean up decades of corruption, and ‘palm-greasing', by the local saloons and gambling, drug, & other nefarious houses.
Next, In 1 minute, we'll see the Railway Exchange Building, and Huber's Restaurant, (eighteen seventy nine, & 1891)
The building was the very 1st, renovated, in 1971, after the era of urban renewal in the 1940s to 1960s, when they tore a lot of the old buildings down, in the so-called "name of progress".
Inside the Exchange Building, is Huber's, Portland's oldest restaurant.
In 1891, Frank Huber hires chef Jim Louie, a 21 year old Chinese Emigrant with a knack for roasting turkey's; a turning point for Huber's, now the longest-running restaurant in town. (Louie even served turkey sandos, to customer's in boats, during the epic eighteen ninety four flood).
The picturesque restaurant is still owned by Louie's descendants, the chef's grand-nephew introduces tableside Spanish coffees, the inventor of the Spanish Coffee fiery spectacle, to the menu in the 1970s.
If you order a pair of Huber's famous Spanish Coffees, the bartender will choreograph your elegant glasses of 151 and Bols triple sec, into a ritualistic fire dance.
It served as a speakeasy during prohibition.
NEXT IS THE SKIDMORE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
With many more.
Does anyone have any questions?
