Irvington is a Northeast Portland neighborhood that was originally part of the Donation Land Claim of 1851. Today, it is a thriving community of single-family homes and apartment buildings. The southern boundary of Irvington is NE Broadway Street. Boasting numerous restaurants, shops, and other services along this southern boundary (Things From Another World games and comic shop, barber shops, the tidy gas station Fastrack, veterinarian clinic, etc.), it makes for a great biking and pedestrian-friendly area of Portland. Catch the bus on Broadway to get to downtown in just minutes. The Pearl District is also just past the Broadway Bridge, so there is direct and efficient access to other neighborhoods. It is also close enough to the on-ramps for I-84 and I-5 (but not too close!). The northern boundary is Fremont Street, also a haven for shopping and dining.

Coming Full Circle

The Portland Streetcar was implemented in 1889, connecting more neighborhoods. Its relevance peaked in 1912, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s website. The original Portland Streetcar service ended in 1950. The modern version of the Portland Streetcar, more efficient and practical for modern roadways, was implemented in 2001. Alas, history does repeat itself.

Having once lived in this neighborhood myself, it is near and dear to me. Please enjoy a selection of photos collected over the recent years and seasons. If you’d like to read a more extensive history on Irvington, please visit the Irvington Neighborhood Association’s National Park Service’s National Register Nomination submission. Enjoy the tour!

Photo Gallery