…Continued from Site of the Portland Hotel.
Pioneer Courthouse Square on September 7, 2008
For 30 years the parking lot on the former site of the Portland Hotel occupied an entire city block in the heart of downtown Portland, until public discussions led to the decision to transform the site into a public park. Named after the historic Pioneer Courthouse that looked over it, Pioneer Courthouse Square was opened to the public on the weekend of April 6-8, 1984, coinciding with the birthday of the City of Portland and the Portland Hotel.
The Pioneer Courthouse Square Design Team included Design Architect Willard K. Martin, F.A.I.A., Project Architects Marcus C. Bevins and Cameron G. Hyde, Artist Robert Reynolds, Landscape Architect Douglas Macy, A.S.L.A., Historian Terence O'Donnell, Sculptor Lee Kelly and Writer Spencer Gill. A plaque describes the team's design philosophy:
"From travels through the world and human history we found remarkable examples of open examples of open spaces that are still alive, distinctive, legible symbols of free and equal citizens taking active part in political and social life.
Reorganizing the present vital forces shaping our own city, we searched for a symbol, appropriate for now and the future. We visualized that symbol as a special 'living room'; walls defined by the changing elements of the city, the roof formed by the sky, complete in its design only when occupied by its urban family.
Through our combined hopes, dreams, and skills, we hope that we have here designed a public square which will attract both use and affection, and thus become a vital place in the hearts of the people."
Part of the Pioneer Courthouse Square Design Team's philosophy was that Pioneer Courthouse Square would be the city's "living room," with "walls defined by the changing elements of the city." Since the buildings surrounding the square are essentially the walls of this "living room," they can almost be considered part of the square.
Waterfall Fountain on September 7, 2008
Pioneer Courthouse Square's dominant feature is the Waterfall Fountain, designed by Will Martin and constructed in 1983. The fountain was sponsored by The Galleria and Morgan Park, Inc. In the center of the fountain is the entrance to a Visitor Information Center.
Waterfall Fountain on September 7, 2008
At the top of the Waterfall Fountain is a Keystone Lectern, sponsored by Pacific-Six Twenty by Mrs. Harold A. Miller, and flagpoles displaying the flags of the United States, Oregon and Portland, contributed respectively by Hayden Island, Inc., the Oregon Community Foundation and Dillingham Ship Repair in honor of their employees.
Waterfall Fountain on September 7, 2008
The fountain was rededicated in 1997 in honor of Mary and Pete Mark for their inspiration, leadership and support.
Allow Me on September 7, 2008
This bronze statue of a man offering his umbrella is called Allow Me by J. Seward Johnson. It was given by Harry H. Schwartz of New York City as a gift to the City of Portland in 1983.
Broadway Entrance Feature on September 7, 2008
This Broadway Entrance Feature at the corner of Broadway and Yamhill Street was contributed by Norris, Beggs & Simpson.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Columns on September 7, 2008
This series of columns lines the Yamhill Street side of Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Columns on September 7, 2008
Wine Sycamore Maple Trees on September 7, 2008
The Broadway side of Pioneer Courthouse Square is lined with these Wine Sycamore Maple Trees contributed by Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Mark, Jr.
Echo Chamber on September 7, 2008
The "Echo Chamber" amphitheater honors two pioneers who worked on or near this block: Garrison J. Gray, a carpenter from 1851, and George Neuner, a U. S. Attorney from 1925 to 1933. Included in the amphitheater are bronze tiles depicting Portland's past, handmade by Gail Martin.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Milepost on September 7, 2008
This milepost sign on the east side of Pioneer Courthouse Square gives the distance to local attractions, Portland's sister cities and other locations around the world.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Milepost on September 7, 2008
| Northwest | North | Northeast |
| West | East | |
| Southwest | South | Southeast |
Pioneer Courthouse Square Milepost on September 7, 2008
Weather Machine on September 7, 2008
The Weather Machine shows the temperature and air quality and forecasts the weather for the next 24 hours. It was designed by Richard Ponzi, Ray Grimm, Jere Grimm and Roger Sheppard and dedicated on August 24, 1988. Major contributors included Mary & Pete Mark, E. Kimbark MacColl, Alyce R. Cheatham, Meier & Frank, AT&T Foundation, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Standard Insurance Company and Alexandra MacColl.
Weather Machine on September 7, 2008
The symbol at the top gives the forecast: the sun goddess Helia for clear, sunny weather, the silver blue heron, Portland's city bird, for misty, cloudy and drizzly weather, or the copper dragon for storms with heavy wind and rain. A daily fanfare at noon shows all three symbols before showing the new forecast. The temperature is shown by lights on the edge of the column and lights at the top show air quality: green for good, amber for moderate and flashing red for poor.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Chessboards on September 7, 2008
Three bronze chessboards, designed by Soderstrom Architects, were added to the Morrison Street side of Pioneer Courthouse Square in June 2003.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Chessboards on September 7, 2008
Continue to MAX Light Rail at Pioneer Courthouse Square…
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