Portland, OR

One of the Oregon communities we know and serve.

About Portland, OR

Portland began in 1843, when William Overton and Asa Lovejoy filed a land claim on the west bank of the Willamette River in what was then Oregon Country. The city was officially incorporated on February 8, 1851.

The city's name was decided by a coin toss in 1845. Asa Lovejoy of Boston and Francis Pettygrove of Portland, Maine, each wanted to name the town after his hometown, and Pettygrove won the two-out-of-three toss. The 1835 penny used that day, known as the Portland Penny, is displayed at the Oregon Historical Society.

Long before the coin toss, the land along the Willamette and Columbia rivers was home to the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya and Molalla peoples, who established communities and seasonal traditions along both rivers.

Today Portland is the seat of Multnomah County. The city straddles the Willamette River, a short distance upstream from where it joins the Columbia River near the Washington state line.

Why Live in Portland, OR?

Forest Park in Northwest Portland offers more than 80 miles of soft-surface trails, fire lanes and forest roads stretching along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains, all inside city limits.
Washington Park gathers several of the city's signature attractions in one place, including the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden, Hoyt Arboretum and the Portland Japanese Garden.
Portland is known as a city of bridges, with spans ranging from the St. Johns Bridge, built in 1931, to Tilikum Crossing, which opened in 2015.
History lovers can explore museums such as the Oregon Historical Society, the Portland Chinatown Museum, the Oregon Maritime Museum and the Architectural Heritage Center.

The Portland, OR Market

Every neighborhood moves at its own pace. Reach out to Shannon Mesritz | Realtor in OR & WA for a current, no-pressure look at what's happening in Portland, OR right now.

Schools in Portland, OR

Portland Public Schools serves much of the city. Parts of Portland are also served by the David Douglas, Parkrose, Centennial, Reynolds, Riverdale, Beaverton and Scappoose school districts; the Parkrose and David Douglas districts lie entirely within city limits. School assignment depends on the specific address, so confirm boundaries with the district.

Local Favorites

Forest Park (Park): A vast forested park in Northwest Portland with more than 80 miles of trails, fire lanes and forest roads along the Tualatin Mountains.
International Rose Test Garden (Garden): A public rose garden in Washington Park that began in 1917 to preserve European rose varieties during World War I. Admission is free.
Portland Japanese Garden (Garden): A garden of about 12 acres in Washington Park, located across from the International Rose Test Garden.
Lan Su Chinese Garden (Garden): A Ming Dynasty-style Chinese garden that opened in September 2000, with regular guided tours.
Pittock Mansion (Historic home): A historic house museum operated by the Pittock Mansion Society in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation.
Mount Tabor Park (Park): A city park built atop an extinct volcano on Portland's east side.
Powell's City of Books (Bookstore): An independent bookstore carrying more than a million new, used and rare books.

Frequently Asked Questions About Portland, OR

What county is Portland in?

Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County.

How did Portland get its name?

In 1845, founders Asa Lovejoy of Boston and Francis Pettygrove of Portland, Maine, flipped a penny to name the new town. Pettygrove won two out of three tosses, so the town was named Portland instead of Boston.

When was Portland incorporated?

Portland was incorporated on February 8, 1851.

Which school districts serve Portland?

Portland Public Schools serves most of the city, while some neighborhoods fall in the David Douglas, Parkrose, Centennial, Reynolds, Riverdale, Beaverton or Scappoose school districts. Check the specific address with the district.

Where can I see the Portland Penny?

The penny used in the 1845 naming coin toss is on display at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland.