PORTLAND, THE WESTERN HUB
CHAPTER III.
Portland, the Western Hub.
Portland is the great shipping center for the entire State of Oregon and eastern Washington, brought thither on boats from the Columbia and Willamette rivers and by rail over the different railroads having their terminals here. Nature has done much for this principal and largest city in Oregon, built on both sides and having a natural slope to the Willamette river, which is spanned by four bridges, in addition to the boat traffic. The most important business houses are situated on the West side, while across the river on the east are the large flour and saw-mills, besides the extensive warehouses and wharfs from which vessels are loaded for shipment to all parts of the globe. On both sides are the fine residences, beautiful lawns and numerous parks, at only thirty feet above the sea level, while in plain view I can see Mount Hood with its snow-capped peak towering 11,934 feet high, as well as Mount Rainier, 14,532 feet; also Mt. St. Helens, with an elevation of 9,750 feet. Surely such grandeur cannot be found elsewhere, with every variety of climate and every industry at its very doors. It is a day well spent to visit the City Park and Portland Heights, beside a number of street car rides; one being to the Falls of the Willamette at Oregon City, where there is an extensive water power, large saw-mills, and an immense paper mill. Another pleasant car ride was to Vancouver, Washington, the government trading and supply fort for the Northwest. The day I visited Vancouver how I displeased a photographer. He had his studio in a rather dilapidated looking old tent; he saw me stopping with my kodak and came to the door and looked in disgust at me, saying, "fire away." I smiled, thanked him, and fired, which I had certainly intended to do. I also made a pleasant trip to Aberdeen, Washington, on Grays Harbor.
Portland is a prominent railway center and terminus of several steamer lines; steamships making regular trips to the Orient and San Francisco, California, the largest city on the Pacific coast.
After spending an enjoyable time in Portland, I left for Butte, Montana, over the Northern Pacific Railway, as the courtesies and attention of the employes on that road make travelling a pleasure.