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Multnomah: The Tumultuous Story of Oregon's Most Populous County
Covering people and events from 1854 to the present day, this definitive history of Multnomah County provides compelling details about public works triumphs and political scandals.
Founded as a convenience so residents of the fast-growing city of Portland wouldn’t have to ride by horseback to Hillsboro, Oregon’s tiniest county geographically soon grew to be the state’s most populous. Through nearly sixteen decades, Multnomah County’s history seldom has been calm and peaceful. From hangings that turned into grim public spectacles in the nineteenth century to a glaring failure to deal with urban growth in the middle of the twentieth, the county survived several attempts to revamp its structure or merge with Portland’s better-known municipal government.
Highlighted episodes include the construction of the iconic Columbia River Highway between 1914 and 1918, the tragic flooding of Vanport City in 1948, the employee strike of 1980, the library scandal of 1989-1990, and the same-sex marriage license debacle of 2004.
Historian Jewel Lansing and journalist Fred Leeson make effective use of archival sources, oral histories, newspaper articles, and personal interviews to create the definitive reference on Multnomah County history, politics, and policy. History buffs and informed Portland citizens will be particularly engaged by the regional trivia and narrative details.
Founded as a convenience so residents of the fast-growing city of Portland wouldn’t have to ride by horseback to Hillsboro, Oregon’s tiniest county geographically soon grew to be the state’s most populous. Through nearly sixteen decades, Multnomah County’s history seldom has been calm and peaceful. From hangings that turned into grim public spectacles in the nineteenth century to a glaring failure to deal with urban growth in the middle of the twentieth, the county survived several attempts to revamp its structure or merge with Portland’s better-known municipal government.
Highlighted episodes include the construction of the iconic Columbia River Highway between 1914 and 1918, the tragic flooding of Vanport City in 1948, the employee strike of 1980, the library scandal of 1989-1990, and the same-sex marriage license debacle of 2004.
Historian Jewel Lansing and journalist Fred Leeson make effective use of archival sources, oral histories, newspaper articles, and personal interviews to create the definitive reference on Multnomah County history, politics, and policy. History buffs and informed Portland citizens will be particularly engaged by the regional trivia and narrative details.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 13, 2012
This is a political history of Multnomah County, Oregon. Multnomah County is the home of Portland and Gresham, Oregon (the largest and fourth largest cities in the state). The book covers the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly in county government. I was born in Multnomah County and have lived most of my life here. I found this fascinating. I am not sure why but I am pleased to know that the idea of painting a yellow stripe down the center of a road originated here. It was the result of a deputy sheriff coming up with a safety idea for the Multnomah County end of the magnificent Columbia Gorge Highway soon after it was built. He couldn't get the county commissioners to fund the idea and, in true western style, bought the paint and painted the stripes himself.
The book brings into focus things that I was only vaguely aware at the time and puts into perspective the scandals and struggles of the county. I think this is an important book for people in the metro area and other Oregonians. You cannot understand where you are going unless you know where you have been. The books ends with a list of questions to be answered in the future as well as some invaluable appendices.
The book brings into focus things that I was only vaguely aware at the time and puts into perspective the scandals and struggles of the county. I think this is an important book for people in the metro area and other Oregonians. You cannot understand where you are going unless you know where you have been. The books ends with a list of questions to be answered in the future as well as some invaluable appendices.
May 24, 2024
I picked out a couple books at the same time for history of Portland. This one was my least favorite.
July 16, 2024
The first seven chapters were interesting and then it goes downhill from there, focusing way too much on elections and the political achievements and shortcoming of various government officials. I have a better understanding of the repetitious ineptitude of the governance of Portland/Multnomah Co, but don't really feel like I know the people who chose to live here initially or continue to do so.
In summary, if you're really interested in local politics, this is a good book. If you're more interested in sociology, economy, ecology, urban design, or the other facets that make a city interesting: look elsewhere.
In summary, if you're really interested in local politics, this is a good book. If you're more interested in sociology, economy, ecology, urban design, or the other facets that make a city interesting: look elsewhere.
May 15, 2020
Very informative book. Doesn't get into city politics a great deal, but gives a great background as to the history of the political landscape between city/county and between the cities within Multnomah county. I'm inspired to read a similar volume on the history of Portland city politics to fully color in the narrative but this book absolutely provides the content its title would suggest.
November 12, 2012
A bit dry, but a fairly short, concise history of Oregon's most populated county. If you don't live in these parts, probably not a lot of reason to read it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews