Portland's Lost Waterfront: Tall Ships, Steam Mills and Sailors' Boardinghouses

Easily accessible documentation of the shady under-businesses of the shipping industry, in Portland and Astoria, Oregon in the early days of the grain trade. The Willamette Valley was originally a big exporter of wheat to Europe, by way of Britain's merchant fleet. That trade has only grown, & today Columbia River ports send something like 15 million metric tons of wheat (not to mention huge additional amounts of corn & soybeans) all over the world from most north & mid-western states & Canada. As a resident of this area, it's interesting to read about the family businesses that generated these terrific local sea-stories!

Lots of interesting facts. Lacks book-like organization -- more like a collection of articles.

Great book - it is well-written, with good photos. It's a labor of love by a local historian with the intimate knowledge only a local historian can have. He collected data over a long period of time and it's presented clearly with maps and footnotes. Since the history of the waterfront IS the history of Portland, this book is a good historical introduction to the area.

Nice history on the old town china town area. Also debunked the myth of the shanghi tunnels. There is no evidence it didn't happen in the tunnels, no evidence it did. Too short though, I was left wanting more.

Blalock's meticulously researched history takes you back to the booming wharfs and free-wheeling streets of old Portland (and Astoria), Oregon, of the days before the Gold Rush and then onward into the twentieth century. You will meet saints (not too many), sinners, and all manner of wild characters. The photos of the old waterfront, the drawings and illustrations from old newspapers are priceless and give this book wonderful depth and a feeling that you are there. But be careful, you might get shanghaied by a crimp!

Just finished reading the book (out loud)...my husband and I took turns. I was born in Portland 79 years ago and most of my younger years I lived on the Willamette River. My mom told me she remembered attending the celebration at Guilds Lake.

Got this as a gift for my husband. He really likes it.

Solid review of Portland's nautical history, the writing is a little dry, but there is enough useful information to keep the pages turning.