A Walk Through Old Town - a photo essay in black and white

Old Town is a neighborhood in Portland, Oregon that, until recently, was filled with abandoned warehouses, boarded up storefronts, and residents who live out of shopping carts.

Times are changing for Old Town. Developers are renovating the beautiful old buildings. Vacant lots are being filled with buildings that fit the style of the surrounding architecture. And the neighborhood is coming back to life.

I hadn't visited the area for quite awhile. I decided to take a walk through Portland's Old Town this afternoon. Most of the businesses in the area are Monday through Friday types. So, Sunday afternoon was a good choice to takesome photos without a lot of people and traffic.

  This is the Old Market Block Building

This is the Skidmore Fountain area

 Timber mogul, Simon Benson, thought Portland should have lots of drinking fountains. So, all over the downtown area you will see the "Benson Bubblers".

This is the back wall of the fire station. It was built to match the style of the surrounding buildings.

This is another of the new buildings in the area that fits in quite well.

  Not everything is new or renovated, though. This is the old Everett Hotel.

  Some of the old residents still live on the streets here.

  And the Rescue Mission is still offering a meal and a prayer.

  The entrance to Chinatown borders Old Town.

And there are some clubs with a variety of live music in the area.

This is the old Customs House.

  And a few more buildings...

The area was once a dilapidated and dangerous place to go. It is well on it's way to making a complete recovery. I think the neighborhood is on the right track!