Portland Then/Now: West Burnside St. and Southwest 10th Ave.

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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

One of the central intersections of Portland is Southwest Tenth Avenue and West Burnside Street.

This is the intersection with the swingy sculpture that has a wee bit of a repuation that it looks like a member of the male anatomy. The intersection is also home to the main entry for Powell's Books. 

THEN: The photo seen here is from 1927. It is shot from the same site where the swinging sculpture is and looks toward the North and Northwest.  

In the 1920s and 30s you might have stayed in hotel nearby or visited the Empire Transfer & Storage company. In the 1950s and 60s you were likely stalking your favorite DJ from KISN who had a nice nearby view from their "window of the world" on West Burnside. 

NOW: The photo is from the end of October, 2014. The building has been remodeled to include some type of building that is placed on top of the building and now sports a giant boot lined in neon. 

Instead of storage, you might be visting to buy shoes, British-built Dr. Martens to be exact, alongside celebs such as The Partridge Family's Danny Bonaduce who has been spotted shopping this star along with other celebs and rock stars. 

You also might be catching a nearby trolley, buying a book at Powell's, window shopping on Union Way, catching a movie, grabbing a slice or having a meal at Maurice.  Or you just might be trying to swing the swingy sculpture.

Like we said, it was, and still is, a very busy intersection. 

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