About The Trolleys That Built Portland’s Neighborhoods
Portland neighborhoods owe their location, character, and growth to the streetcar. During the 1890s, streetcar lines spread rapidly into the West Hills and across the Willamette River. The city still bears the imprint of the original trolley lines that once wove their way out to the suburbs in every direction. Portland once had the largest electric railway system in the West, the second steepest cable car grade in the country, and an illuminated trolley parade. Portland's streetcars survived into the late 1950s and after a 30-year hiatus, were rediscovered by a new generation of urban planners.
Historian Richard Thompson has been writing about Oregon's street railways since 1979. His interest in industrial history comes naturally: He is a descendant of Willamette Valley millwrights and holds a master's degree in history from the University of Oregon.
Richard's passion for the subject of trolleys has resulted in a collection of photographs and memorabilia that has served as a resource for nine books on local rail history, including five in Arcadia Publishing's Images of Rail series. He has also authored 15 entries for the Oregon Encyclopedia and has appeared in documentaries. Before his career as an author, Thompson worked as an archivist, historical museum director, librarian, and streetcar coordinator.
