Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Laurelhurst Park, Ladd's Addition, and the Crystal Springs Rhododendron
Garden.
When Ladd made his way here, it was two years after gold had been found in
California, and Portland was not much more than a rest area on the way to
San Francisco, or a place where those who'd struck out could pause and lick
their wounds. A census from around that time—December 1850—put the
city's population at 821.
Ladd quickly made a name for himself. He set up shop immediately selling
the liquor he'd brought, but within just a few days he had expanded his range
of goods. Apparently he knew what he was doing. By 1853 he was able to
build a storefront on Front Avenue, the first one made of brick in Portland.
Teaming up with other investors, in the next several years he started railroad,
shipping, manufacturing, and telegraph companies, not to mention the public
library and River View Cemetery. With his original East Coast business part-
ner, he founded the Ladd and Tilton Bank, Portland's first, in 1859. Ladd
served as Portland's mayor from 1854 to 1855. He remained a well-regarded
civic leader and businessman until he died.
Ladd was buried in River View Cemetery on January 9, 1893. In a bizarre
coda, a few years later a caretaker found that his grave had been dug up and
the body was missing. Ladd's remains, which had been taken for ransom,
were eventually tracked down to the west side of the Willamette River, along
what is now Macadam Avenue, and the thieves were arrested. He was rebur-
ied at River View—this time in cement.
POINT OF INTEREST (
START TO FINISH
)
Clinton Street Theater
cstpdx.com
, 2522 SE Clinton St., 503-238-5588
Dots Cafe
2521 SE Clinton St., 503-235-0203
Clinton Street Video
2501 SE Clinton St., 503-236-9030
Night Light Lounge
nightlightlounge.net
,
2100 SE Clinton St., 503-731-6500
Los Gorditos
losgorditospdx.com
, 1212 SE Division St., 503-445-6289
Apex
apexbar.com
, 1216 SE Division St., 503-273-9227
St. Philip Neri Catholic Church
stphilipneripdx.org
, 2408 SE 16th Ave.,
503-231-4955
Palio Dessert & Espresso House
palio-in-ladds.com
,
1996 SE Ladd Ave.,
503-232-9412
