South Portland is the name of a small community in the south of downtown Portland. This place is crabbed in between Willamette River and the West Hills. This place is surrounded by Marquam Bridge, Canby Street and Sellwood Bridge.
Initially it was known as the Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill or CTLH, but due to a suggestion granted in the meeting of a neighborhood association the name was changed.
South Portland is a perfect synthesis of different areas. It comprises of South Waterfront, Lair Hill, Corbett area, Terwilliger and Johns Landing.
The South Waterfront is known as one of the growing areas of the neighborhood. Much of it is under construction and is known to be one of the flourishing areas for real estate development. The Portland Ariel Tram successfully connects the district to Oregon Health and Science University campus.
Named after the famous lawyer and editor William Lair Hill, the stretch of Lair Hill had been the home of Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants. But the place had a facelift with the “urban renewal project”. Now the place is part of the famous real estate ventures which have become an integral part of Portland. A favorite haunt for the shoppers, Lai Hill is now known for some of its ethnic shops.
|
Both the Corbett and the Terwilliger area are connected by the Oregon Electric Railroad and the Johns Landing derives its name from the B.P. John Furniture Company. It was one of the largest furniture manufacturers of the area and was instrumental in bringing about many changes in the economic sector of the district. The area was previously known as Fulton, but this riverside area saw a havoc change in the industrial sector with the growth of a commercial centre which promised employment.
Some of the major areas of interest in South Portland are:
- Butterfly Park
- Cottonwood Bay
- Duniway Park
- Heritage Tree Park
- Lair Hill Park
- SW Terwilliger Blvd Parkway
- Water and Gibbs Community Garden
- Willamette Park etc
The neighborhood boasts of an active community life which includes meeting at luncheons, organizing weekly gatherings and frequent meetings to discuss about the betterment of the community life. The library and the community centre along with the Public Safety Department make it a better place to live.
|
