Sellwood Neighborhood Profile: Eclectic & Historical
Posted by Kelly Asmus on Jul 21, 2011 in Latest News, Neighborhood Profiles, _Special | 0 comments
Sellwood was established in May 1882 when 321 acres was purchased from a pioneer named John Sellwood. Five years later, Sellwood had almost 100 homes, three stores, a church and a school. Eleven years later in 1893, Sellwood was annexed into the city of Portland.
Street cars were a major part of the Sellwood residents’ everyday lives; the street cars were similar to a trolley that would transport its passengers from the city to their small town. This allowed the Sellwood residents to live in a quiet neighborhood, but still be able to work, shop and go to school in the city. The Sellwood Car House was built in 1909, it housed the street cars that were used on the Sellwood line as well as several other major lines. The Sellwood Car House was Portland’s largest car house for the third largest streetcar system in the world. The line that travelled from Portland to Oregon City was the first interurban line in the Northwest and was also the first electric railroad in the world.
The Sellwood neighborhood spans 2.8 square miles and is approx. 5.5 miles from downtown Portland. Residents love this area because of the small town feel, though only a short drive to the city life of downtown Portland. Sellwood appeals to those who interested in a community based neighborhood. There are many locally owned shops, restaurants and antique shops. Sellwood is home to the infamous “Antique Row,” on SE 13th Ave. It is lined with great vintage and antique shops that add to the small town community feel of the Sellwood area.
Home buyers who are looking for a place to raise a family tend to gravitate toward this area, since it’s one of the most kid-friendly neighborhoods in Portland. Several large parks and nature reservations can be found in Sellwood. The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, spanning 141.22 acres, is filled with biking and hiking trails that are perfect for children and pets. Also, Sellwood Park is 16.65 acres filled with all types of sport fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds. It’s unusual for a neighborhood near such a major city to have several large and open parks, like Sellwood has. Another unique attraction to the Sellwood area is the Oaks Amusement Park, the oldest continuously operated amusement park in the United States, open since 1905. The park currently contains about two dozen rides, a skating rink, and picnic grounds.
Renaissance Homes is proud to be building new vintage style homes in the Sellwood neighborhood. Visit us today and become a part of this historic community.
History compiled by Macey Howard.
