Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Historical Cowley Building Demolished

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, History

By Leo Newman | Contributing Writer

The Cowley building in the early 1900s. Photo from Alberta Community Historic Resources.

The dilapidated two-story brick building on the corner of NE 28th and NE Alberta St. met its fateful end at the hands of a wrecking crew the first week of January. The building, easily remembered by the mural of graffiti which developed over the decade it stood vacant, finally came down after a prolonged dispute between the city and its most recent proprietor, Erzsebet Eppley. Its demolition marks the end of over a century of urban development, change and decay in NE Portland.

Grocery Store and Dancehall

At the turn of the twentieth century, the city of Portland was experiencing major booms in industry, commerce and population. Roads and streetcar tracks cut into the hilly forests and fields of the east side as developers hopped east from the city center to develop the Alberta, Concordia and Alameda neighborhoods. In 1903, the city introduced the Alberta Streetcar line which ran from downtown, north up Union Avenue (now NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd) and east down NE Alberta to NE 25th. By 1913, the streetcar ran up to NE 30th and continued to NE Ainsworth Ave.

Among the business owners and residents flocking to claim their stake along Alberta was T.H. Cowley, whose family owned multiple groceries around Portland. In March 1916, T.H. Cowley secured a permit to repair his two-story frame store on 872-874 Alberta Street between East 27th and East 28th. He contracted Philadelphia-born architect Alfred H. Faber to repair the second story over his grocery store.

Active in Portland between 1904 and 1917, Faber was an early architect to design single family homes in NE Portland. He built a reputation for his ornate, decorated single family homes in the Piedmont neighborhood, a few which still stand today.

Faber dressed the second story’s exterior in red brick with three large windows and a cresting roof on each face. Inside, he outfitted the space as a dancehall.

Starting on January 4th, 1917, Cowley ran a set of ads in the Morning Oregonian, advertising his new second story dancehall with its 45×50 new maple floor, “suitable for dancing parties and receptions, $5.00 per night; Saturdays $6.00; includes heat, light, piano.”

Between 1917 and 1922, The Cowley building appeared to host a revolving door of groceries out of its two ground floor units.

Church Meetings and Housing

Another early tenant included the Brotherhood of Divine Revelation that occupied the Cowley building as early as August 8th, 1925, when the Brotherhood took out a small advertisement in The Advocate, Portland’s second oldest Black newspaper. Squished between much larger spreads for Meyer & Frank and J.C. Penny, a later ad in The Advocate announced free admission to “A PERSONAL MESSAGE: Every Sunday 3 and 8p.m” as well as private consultations by appointment. It is unclear if the Brotherhood occupied the dancehall or the second unit on the ground floor.

By 1938, the Alberta district was home to a number of Black families, as well as a sizable number of Russian, Japanese and Chinese immigrants. Wartime industrial production brought hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from across the country to Portland and Vancouver. To accommodate an enormous demand for housing, a permit was issued in September 1943 via the emergency war code to convert the second-story dancehall into four apartments. A month later, another permit allowed the two storefronts to be converted into a single family unit.

Disrepair and Demolition

The Cowley building boarded up before its demolition last month. Photo by Leo Newman.

The Cowley building changed hands a number of times through the twentieth century. By 1992, the building (vacant on the lower level) was jointly owned by H.A. Struckman and Joseph Boczki. The latter left Hungary with his wife Elizabeth for Portland in 1970. The Boczkis developed a real estate business and lived on a large parcel of land in Pleasant Valley.

Lack of structural maintenance under the Boczkis pushed the building into disrepair. Joe and Elizabeth died in 2010 and 2012, leaving their daughter Erzsebet ‘Boz’ Eppley in charge of the building. Around the same time, the last tenant upstairs moved out. One Reddit user remembers the condition of the upstairs apartments around this time as “really cheap, but sketchy as hell, with lots of leaks and odd repairs. When they moved out the landlords decided it was unsafe.”

The Cowley building’s final tenant, Al Forno Ferruzza, a Sicilian-style pizzeria battled an intensifying black mold problem and was finally forced to close in 2014 after a pipe burst causing flooding and excessive water damage.

By June 2024, Eppley, who also owns the boarded up property behind the Cowley building, owed the city more than $53,000 in fines relating to code violations. Though she successfully evaded an attempt by former Mayor Ted Wheeler to auction the building last summer, the Cowley building met the wrecking ball in early January.

Leo Newman is a paralegal and aspiring writer based in NE Portland. Trained as a historian, he enjoys exploring the history of Portland and the Pacific Northwest.

Photographs By Long Time Portlandian and Former Bridge Tender on Display

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News

By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer

Photographer Franklin Engel in his home studio. Photo by Joshua Lickteig.

A mid the black-and-white interior of Autumn Coffee (3286 NE Killingsworth Street), a gallery of photographs by Franklin Engel enamors patrons with Portland’s architecture (namely bridges), hand-painted art cars of decades yore, and urban and scenic environments of Europe. The café’s bright modern space perfectly complements the local artist’s documentary and spirited works.

Light pours in through a tall window onto Engel’s photographs, whether in colorful spans of stillness, sepia meditations or cascading greyscales of streets and landscapes. Near a long mochawalnut table, there is a panoply of early bridge photographs – Hawthorne, Steel, and Broadway (the city’s first drawbridge) to mention a few – and a selection from Engel’s Painted Cars, “counter-culture statements about [. . .] the automobile”, the artist’s statement reads.

On a Saturday afternoon, I met with him in his studio to learn more.

Engel, 79, grew up in Mt. Vernon not far from The Bronx. His father worked in Manhattan and as a child he enjoyed theater, museums, and jazz in New York. By the age of 9, he was shooting with a Kodak Brownie, a box camera with a rotary shutter. In 1963, he recalls, he and a highschool friend would take pictures at JFK airport, once suddenly riveted by Sonny and Cher waiting for their flights. He became drawn to the process of darkroom printing, and the required precision of working with negatives and chemicals; when developing and printing took “hours and chemistry, not minutes and megabytes,” he says.

Engel moved to Portland in 1969 and had his first exhibition in the city around 1972. Of the travel images on display, he says, “My first journey to Spain in 1984 was through Andalucía on my old 3-speed Raleigh English racer. I carried with me a Hasselblad with two backs, two lenses, a tripod and two 35mm cameras. Multiple visits to Portugal were spent documenting a small subculture in the village of Belmonte.”

Between 1987 and 1997, Engel worked as a bridge tender, ensuring 24-hour access to vessels traveling on the Willamette. “I spent many hours looking out the window at dynamic skies, strumming a guitar or reading… with unique views of the bridge deck, the girders, the counterweights, and the suspension cables. As I lifted the bridges, clambered along the elevated catwalks, and greased the massive gears – I grew to respect and delight in the uniqueness of each bridge. I’ve always marveled at how man can create such incredible machinery.”

As he built his portfolio and developed his craft, Engel worked as a wedding photographer and with Yuen Lui studio which had expanded from Seattle’s Chinatown.

Overall Engel’s work evokes a lyricism of ongoing transformation within the elements and passageways of life. “Photography provides a still moment of the transition of time,” he says. The show can be viewed through the end of February. Postcards and prints are for sale.

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland since 2018. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.

Bike Bus Program Provides Safe Commute for Vernon Students

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools
Sam Balto leading the Bike Bus. Photo by Sean Fogarty.

What could be better than joining a group of friends, parents, and family for a morning bike ride? Even better if your destination is Vernon K-8 School (2044 NE Killingsworth St.) Vernon’s weekly bike bus commute to and from school is a way for students to bike together safely to school. Riders are safe in large groups with a typical number of 15 to 25 people. Vernon is one of more than a dozen Portland schools that supports the Bike Bus movement.

“BikeBusPDX promotes biking as a healthy and eco-friendly commuting option for school children. A lifelong habit of biking encourages kids to embrace cycling as a fun and social activity,” says Sam Balto, a P.E. teacher at Alameda Elementary who started the Portland Bike Bus in 2022. A trip to Barcelona, Spain, where he learned about European Bike Busses, inspired him to start the program. Balto also started the nonprofit Bike Bus World to promote and support Bike Buses everywhere. You can read more about him at bikebus.world.

On January 12th, by Balto’s invitation via social media, musical artist Justin Timberlake surprised the Alameda Bike Bus and joined them for the ride. According to The Oregonian, Timberlake rode about half a mile with about 200 students and parents while Timberlake’s entourage boomed hits like “Mirrors” from speakers on their bikes along the route. The pop star posed briefly for photos with children before leaving the school. What a great surprise.

I Interviewed parent and Concordian Oscar Murden about his experience as a Bike Bus participant as he rides with his two sons, Milo, 9 and Maxwell, 7.

“It’s fantastic. It’s a real mood booster. Our family and friends look forward to it. And it’s easier to get the kids out the door and they get to school on time,” says Murden. He says it creates community, and he’s makes new friends. They even get together during the summer for block parties. Satellite groups have popped up and the movement is growing.

There are lots of happy kiddos and sometimes music playing or holiday decorations. There are also bikes that can be borrowed from Balto for up to a month to see if your student is a good fit for the Bike Bus.

The Vernon bike bus commute takes place every Friday and starts at NE Cesar Chavez and NE Going Streets. Show up anywhere along the route, and join up as the Bike Bus comes by. Bring a bike lock and park at the covered area at the SW corner of Vernon K-8. You don’t have to sign up in advance. Just join in and have fun.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@ gmail.com.

Record Collector’s Hub Short Walk from Concordia Commons

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer

On a snug Sunday afternoon amidst the circular whir of an old record being spin-washed in the back office, I watch as record store Music History’s owner Geoff Zagarola welcomes a regular, a collector of rare soul and jazz. The two immediately begin catching up over concerts, upcoming DJ sets around town, and the buzz on recent shows in Pendleton, Grant’s Pass, and Beaverton. Just having returned from a trip to New York, where he once lived, Zagarola’s day has been a mix of commitments, from curating stock to arranging his five employees’ schedules and advising on special projects.

Each engagement is a cheerful one as new and familiar visitors serious about high-fidelity sound enter Music History (5400 NE 30th Ave., Suite 106) which is just south of Killingsworth Street up NE 30th Avenue in a mixed-use three-story building. The store’s suite was formerly occupied by a legal office, a used leather goods business, and a residence.

Music History sells used records, cassettes, and vintage clothing; on occasion they carry new releases from local labels like Mississippi Records. The store’s wooden multi-tier shelving, which Zagarola designed, hosts international and specialty sections: Afro-Latin, Blues, Country, Disco-Boogie, Electronic, Native American, Reggae, Rock \ Pop, Soul, and music from the Caribbean, China, Japan, India, the Middle East, and North and South Africa. This visit, I find the Gamelan orchestral LP, Dancers of Bali’, reissued in the 1960’s.

Music History has quickly drawn a following in the city amongst recordheads and vinyl lovers and in June, it celebrated its first anniversary with a barbecue outside and tunes in the amenity space. In October, André 3000 stopped by for gospel while in town for a performance at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

We discuss how the record as art and personal object tells a story over time, also, how a mere collection of things can lose its purpose. He says personally he may have about a thousand discs, then jests about a fellow enthusiast with upwards of thirty times that.

“I got into records in elementary school. My dad was kind of an audiophile,” Zagarola, who is in his early thirties, recalls. His first sale, a soughtafter original Latin pop album by singer Raphael, given to him by his mother, who is from Puerto Rico, jumpstarted several years of vending vinyl on Ebay and Discogs. In highschool, he learned the art of sampling and gained equipment knowledge through playing his friend’s turntables. He also learned to unearth gems in the 50¢ bins at Everyday Music and attended flea markets and conventions to find records. Prior to June of 2023, he ran a popular booth at Crossroads Music as Vendor “404”.

Moments later a group of young travelers from Paris stops in, then an avid collector who makes special trips from Seattle comes by. All take note of the staff picks bin in the northside window by the entrance. “We’re in a real resurgence, but it will never be what it was pre-Napster,” Zagarola says, referring to the convenience of finding music on the internet via streaming services. “I’ve built my niche to the collector.”

Whether you’re a collector, you want to learn more about music, or you want to support local businesses, drop by Portland’s newest old record store, right here in Concordia. Check them out on Wednesdays through Sundays from 1-8 pm or visit their website, music-history. org, to learn more.

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland for six years. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.

You’re Invited to CNA’s Winter Party on January 9th

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Cathy McCarthy | CNA Social Committee Member

As we begin the holiday season, we’d like to invite our neighbors to Concordia Neighborhood Association’s Winter Celebration. Our party will be held on Thursday, January 9th, 2025 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Historic Alberta House (5131 NE 23rd Ave.)

Similar to last year’s celebration, we will have a variety of musical entertainment, activities for adults and children, plus plenty of food and beverage. CNA will feature appetizers and desserts from several restaurants in our neighborhood. All food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for free. Beer and wine will be available for purchase from local wine bar, Bonne Chance.

This is a great way to meet members of our community and socialize with neighbors and friends. We will also provide a community board for guests to share input and ideas for future events and CNA focus in 2025. Additionally, 2025 kicks off Concordia Neighborhood Association’s 50th Anniversary, which provides more opportunity for celebration.

If you want to get involved, we have volunteer opportunities that require as little or as much time as you want to contribute. Tasks include putting up flyers, coordinating activities, setting up, cleaning up, or contributing ideas. Please contact Cathy at cmccarthy415@gmail. com if you are interested. We appreciate community input and support, and look forward to seeing you and celebrating the new year in January!

Cathy McCarthy grew up in Concordia, and after living in three different states, recently moved back to the neighborhood. She works for a marketing consulting agency and is a volunteer on the CNA social committee.

Ethiopian Church Serves Immigrant Community

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Leo Newman | Contributing Writer

As congregants f ilter into Ammanuel Ethiopian Evangelical Church (AEEC) near NE 35th and Killingsworth St. on a brisk Sunday morning, they welcome each other with excited handshakes and warm embraces. Outside, children in puffer jackets hop out at the kiss-n-ride and jump for the church door as their parents search for a place to park. Before the band has finished tuning its instruments, a celebratory air has overtaken the mid-sized church.

Deacon Meseret, a founding member of Ammanuel and one of the church’s seven deacons, welcomes her congregants at the door. The cheerful churchgoers, explains Meseret, have come from as far as Gresham, Vancouver and Salem for Sunday service. Almost all originate from various regions of Ethiopia or Eritrea, East African countries where the majority of the population identifies as Christian.

Founded in 1998, the congregation rented the Portland Metro Church at NE 6th and Alberta until 2016. The growth of their community necessitated the purchase of their current building at 3515 NE Killingsworth St., formerly Englewood Christian Church.

“Now we need a big church.” says Meseret as congregants fill the overflow seats in the annex. The two-and-a-half hour service is delivered entirely in Amharic, the official language in Ethiopia and the one most widely spoken there. The service opens with a pop-inflected Ahmaric worship song driven by a melodic guitar melody. The AEEC media team, some half dozen young volunteers in matching shirts, dance in place from the sound booth. In addition to the 200 congregants present in the building, over 580 others have tuned in to view the livestream on Youtube.

A charismatic young song leader takes to the stage and leads the congregation in a winding, synth-powered ‘Hallelujah’ that keeps the audience on their feet and their hands raised in the air. At the close of each song, enthusiastic “whoops” echo from the crowd.

A remote controlled camera glides overhead to focus on Associate Pastor Mekonnen Tesfaye, one of the church’s three pastors, taking the stage. His remarks rise from a whisper into an impassioned sermon which drives the congregation to their feet. It is clear that over the last ten years, he has built a strong rapport as his jokes and little smirks send giggles around the hall. He ushers the crowd’s attention to a ‘giving link’ on the big screen, whereby they can donate to the church and help support its outreach programs.

Ammanuel serves a growing immigrant community, a number of them Ethiopian refugees and Ammanuel’s elaborate service and social programs depend on a concerted community effort. Church members assist newcomers with transportation, finding work, and connecting with local nonprofits like the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), says Deacon Meseret. “We support the community, whether they are members of our church or not,” says Deacon Meseret.

At the end of the lively service, a guest pastor from Maryland gives a sermon delivered over gentle music. As a father in the annex jingles his keys over his young son’s eyes to keep him entertained, he closes his eyes and raises one arm in praise.

Giving Thanks to the Earth During this Holiday Season

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer

As we give thanks for our many blessings over this holiday season, I can think of no better way to honor those we love than being kind to the earth and all its inhabitants. Here are a few gift ideas that help keep our celebrations environmentally conscious:

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Each person is invited to bring something of theirs that they really like but no longer use or need, or are just ready to share. Sometimes it’s something quirky that they can’t wait to part with (like one year it was one of those mechanical singing fish). The gifts don’t need to be wrapped, they are on display for all to see. Everyone picks a number which determines the order in which people select gifts. When it’s your turn, you may pick a new gift or “steal” one that has already been taken. The person who you steal from then gets to pick something else from the selection. It becomes a comical competition, and everyone gets in on the fun.

White elephant gifts are my favorite zero-impact gift option. I’ve done this with friend groups and with family holiday gatherings and it’s always a blast.

Experiences

Experiences make memorable gifts, support our local businesses and decrease the need for extra packaging, transportation and shipping. If there’s such a thing as a win:win:win:win this is it. Here are some examples of great experience gifts:

  • Tickets for a play, concert or sporting event (such as NE theaters Profile Theater and Portland Playhouse or events at Alberta Rose, Alberta Abbey and Alberta Historic House)
  • An e-bike tour of Hood River through solrides.com
  • A gift card for a favorite brewery, bakery or restaurant
  • A gift certificate for a massage or facial (Check out tinymassagecart.com, sweetsaffronnaturalskincare.com)
  • A gift certificate for a class or services such as communitycyclingcenter.org or bike repair, cooking classes through viviennepdx.com or art classes through collagepdx.com
  • For loved ones far away consider gift cards they can use for special treats near them, like for a special chocolate store

Memberships

Memberships are experience gifts that keep on giving. Many local companies provide gist membership options. Here are a few ideas:

  • A pint of Salt and Straw every month
  • Two packages of coffee every other week delivered to their house by Keia and Martyn (keiaandmartynscoffee.com)
  • Membership to Dogwood wine club for monthly bottles and tasting (dogwoodpdx.com) Personal Donations Here are ways to donate your own time or money thoughtfully.
  • Donations to organizations of importance or special meaning to your loved ones in their honor
  • Gifts of service from you, like meals or a written promise of a few hours of gardening help or childcare.

Gifts for Children

Children’s gifts can get expensive. Rather than running to the store for the latest fad toy, consider gifting handmade coupons, which can be for any number of things, such as:

  • Get to stay up one hour late on chosen night
  • Pass to skip chores for a week
  • Ice cream sundae night
  • Visit to the fire station
  • Game Night of their choice
  • Making Playdoh together, building with Legos, or playing with a favorite toy
  • Extra books at bedtime

When wrapping your gifts, use reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper and ribbons. Happy holiday season and may we all be blessed with health and peace.

Esther Lerman Freeman is a certified Master Recycler and Concordia resident.

Poetry Corner – Overflowing the Cup of Gratitude

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Kunal Mehra, Contributing Writer

Tiring work hours build up, day by day, week by week,
taking my energy and making me ponder:
How long will the work be making me weary? Where is my life going?
The wetness and chilliness of a November evening add to my list of drained feelings:
‘Why does it have to rain so much? Is it a lot to ask for some sunshine? Clouds, go away; I’m tired of you.’
I sit on the couch with a warm cup of tea, looking out the picture window, at the front yard,
annoyance, exhaustion and frustration dancing in my mind,
in an opera I never wanted to see.

A few red dogwood leaves linger on in the tree in the yard,
patiently waiting to be let go.
A cold breeze blows by, taking a leaf down and bringing it back to the earth.

I stand up and walk towards the window, looking closely at the leaf.
A few quiet seconds pass by, just like the thought in my mind:
‘This leaf has been let go.’

And I know not why, but my shoulders ease down,
as I walk back to the couch and relax amidst its warm softness,
my mind fills with one feeling: Gratitude.

‘Thank you, dogwood leaf, for reminding me about a trait I ought to cultivate more:
Letting Go.
I ought to let go of thoughts that don’t serve me.
I acknowledge that in this moment, I feel tired and drained,
but I am letting go of those thoughts, knowing that I will address them when the time is right.
Thank you, again.’

Wait…what else should I say thanks to?

I take a deep breath in and close my eyes, holding the warm cup in my soft hands.

My deep breath. My soft hands. The warm tea. The ability to drink that tea.
The job that tires me that pays for the tea, for the couch,
for the warm cozy home in which I’m relaxing, for the water, for the water boiler.
My beautiful resilient body, which is allowing ‘me’ to sit easefully on the couch,
walk from the kitchen to the living room and back,
my inquisitive mind that’s open to growth…

I keep pouring items into the cup of gratitude, until it overflows,
until I’m reminded that the choice is mine:
focus mostly on what’s not working well, or, on what I’m already blessed with;
the annoyance at the cold gray weather, or,
the warm cozy home that’s keeping me safe and healthy.
Doing the latter helps me tackle the former better,
because my mind is at ease and full of the soft blossoms of gratitude,
a fullness that helps me take better, stabler and confidence-laden actions
than if I were to react from a place of
‘I dislike this’, ‘Why don’t I have that’, ‘Why is this not working correctly?’…

The less I take for granted, the more peace gets planted.
And for all these precious gratitude-laden learnings,
I have so much more gratitude in my being.

Micromobility Transportation Options Are Changing Commutes

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation

By Megan Gobble | CNA SW2 Rep

E-scooters and electric bikes are now a popular sight around Portland. Photos by Megan Gobble.

Recently, a news update from Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) caught my eye. PBOT’s E-Scooter Program teamed up with ride-share company Lyft and e-scooter rental company Lime to provide 3,500 rental e-scooters and e-bikes citywide. Micromobility infrastructure includes e-scooters, e-bikes, and other individual transport devices and, according to a Federal Highway Administration article, reduces traffic and pollution.

You can find Lime and Lyft (Nike Biketown) bikes and scooters to rent in Concordia near McMenamins, University of Oregon, and on NE Alberta St. They are also along the streets with bike lanes – NE Going St., NE Holman St., NE 32nd Ave., and NE 37th Ave., which are designated safe micromobility routes. Look up “Rules of the Road for e-scooters in Portland” on portland.gov. Wear a helmet, use bike lanes/streets/paths, and lock e-vehicles to racks or signposts.

Before leaving home, download the Lime or Lyft apps and set up your account. You need to be at least 18 years old and have a mobile phone. Enter your email address and a credit card or PayPal /Apple Pay. Once verified you can search for nearby e-transport. With the Lyft app, you can also hail a Lyft driver. Both fleets have seated scooters available for less nimble riders.

From the Lyft app’s map, I reserved a Lyft (Biketown) e-scooter at NE 32nd and Alberta. Once there, I scanned the scooter’s QR code, unlocking it and starting the timer. After positioning the scooter and securing my bike helmet, I stepped onto the scooter with both feet, pressed the right-hand throttle switch down and off I went.

After 25 minutes of sightseeing around Concordia, I locked the scooter to a bike rack, and clicked the app to “end my trip”. It asked for a photo, then ended my session. This enjoyable excursion cost $1.00 to unlock and $0.37 per minute, a total of $10.55. Not in your price range? Both Lyft and Lime have discount programs for eligible users. Then the per minute rate drops to $0.07 a minute.

Hope you have fun trying out the new micromobility options throughout our neighborhood, our city and the world. See you around.

Megan is the SW2 rep and a retired nurse and engineer. She travels, bikes and hikes, and swims along with her multigenerational family

The West Coast’s Largest Stamp Library Just Down the Street

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer

Stamp enthusiasts sort through treasures at Oregon Stamp Society’s monthly Rose City Stamp Fair. Photo by Joshua Lickteig.

Had any fun with philately lately? Philately, the study and collection of postal delivery materials, prospers in an old fire station building on NE 33rd Avenue half a block south of Alberta Street. Its five columns, flagpole and prominent gable roof welcome visitors into worlds of hobby and history: stamps, postmarked envelopes, cards, letters, and souvenir sheets. Oregon Stamp Society (OSS), a volunteer-based organization belonging to the Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, hosts regular public fairs and bourses that bring together buyer enthusiasts, casual collectors, heirs, onetime sellers, and dealers. OSS operates the Northwest Philatelic Library, which contains over 5,300 items, 160 journals, and over 120 years of price catalogs.

Whether you are interested in a particular era, geographical region, subject or theme, discovery awaits at a clubhouse gathering. There’s splendor in the way dealers, exhibitors, and collectors operate the floor with respect and cooperation.

“Here, everyone wants to share their knowledge,” says Deborah Jutz, whose son Cétán just began looking for baseball-themed stamps. They like the thrill of the search, learning about the pastime together, and the patience and sincerity of the relaxed sellers.

In the lobby Steve King, OSS president for the past three and a half years and member since 2005, identifies the period of an unmarked postcard from the Crater Lake Hotel. King worked with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for 31 years.

“Back then, there were no photographs of small towns taken by citizens; just by official postcard photographers,” he notes. Lit magnifying glass in hand, the basis for his assessment lies in the lodge’s apparent physical condition in the picture and the thin white border on the postcard (a cost-saving measure following WWI).

Contrasting the contemporary boom of shared digital images, few personal letters are sent today. The society’s library manager Isaac Oelgart, removing a short-brimmed fedora and white blazer, joins the room.

“A stamp is a service,” he says, “unless you don’t use it, then it’s just a piece of paper.” Stamps generate revenue for government-run postal systems and can appeal aesthetically or as investments to buyers. Oelgart says that most newspapers used to have a philatelic columnist.

Downstairs, a library is kept in a tidy L-shaped space with over 25 subject categories, from auction catalogs to antiquated postal stationery. In a glass case by its entrance is a framed photo of Mary McBride, president from 1959-1960, instrumental in acquiring the clubhouse when it came up for sale in 1960. Presently, there are 6,000 or more unique resources for research. “We’re the biggest small or the smallest big [mail] library in the United States,” Oelgart says. Only Chicago and New York host a more sizable set of stacks.

OSS is healthy as an organization, publishes its newsletter The Album Page monthly, and has low member resignation over the years. Though as some pass on, less join. In 1980 there were about 450 members; today 150, and ten to thirty people attend the board meetings. The clubhouse is also leased to other local organizations; namely, Webfooters Post Card Club, Sojourn Church PDX, All-Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon, and Northwest Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

Neighborhood support remains steady. In a couple of hours during my visit, at least three in-kind donations, mostly boxes of family collections, even stamp découpage, were received. Several passersby stopped and mentioned they’d been meaning to for some time. King says this is pretty regular.

OSS holds regular library hours, membership meetings and a monthly stamp fair that is open to the public. Deliver your intrigue to the historical realm of stampomania!

More Info

Library (4828 NE 33rd Ave.) open 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm and 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 6:30-8 pm Rose City Stamp Fair every second Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland for six years. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.