Multnomah the tumultuous story of Oregon's most populous county
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Covering people and events from 1854 to the present day, this definitive reference on the history, politics, and policy of Multnomah County provides compelling details about public works undertakings and political scandals. Oregon’s tiniest county geographically quickly 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 has survived frequent home rule charter changes and 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. History buffs and informed Portland citizens will be particularly engaged by the regional trivia and narrative details. |
| Author(s): | Jewel Beck Lansing, Fred Leeson |
| Document: | Book · Paperback · CIRC [ 0 ] |
| Edition: | 1st Edition |
| Published: | 2012 |
| Physical Description: | x, 326 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm |
| Genre: | Oregon authors |
| Contents: | The most important vote of the century (February 21, 1974) In the beginning (1792- 1854) The county's first hanging; early elected officials (1855- 1869) A magnificent courthouse, a pauper farm, and a push for consolidation (1864- 1880) Coxey's army and eight more hangings (1888- 1903) The progressive era, a crusading sheriff, and the county fair begins (1902- 1914) D-minus report card, the "king of roads," and a new courthouse (1913- 1922) County hospital, the KKK, kickback scandals, and more consolidation proposals (1909- 1927) An elegant bridge, a mighty dam, another jail, and World War II (1928-1945) Vanport is flooded, a sheriff is recalled, and sheriff Schrunk is put on trial (1946- 1956) Parks, roads, and three unrelated tragedies (1946- 1960) Commissioners feud, Delta Dome is rejected, and the first woman deputy is hired (1962- 1966) Home rule arrives, a sheriff is fired, Rocky Butte prisoners escape (1966- 1973) Freeways revisited; city-county consolidation fails (1970- 1974) The Don Clark era; charter upended; nursing home closed; metro created (1975- 1979) Employees strike, PERS, vote-by-mail, and Rocky Butte Jail closed (1980- 1982) The laudable "resolution a," city of Columbia Ridge is rejected, a power struggle at the library, and more charter changes (1983- 1990) East County discontent, first all-woman board, and "Willamette County" (1983- 1990) The infamous Measure 5, Columbia Gorge battles, and East County efforts to secede (1990- 2001) From pioneering women to "mean girls" plus a controversial sheriff (2001- 2009) Quo vadis? |
| Subjects: | History & Archaeology, Local history, Multnomah County (Or.) History, Local, Oregon Multnomah County, Oregon authors, Regions & Countries Americas, United States Local History |
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Last updated: 2025-02-02