Southwest Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
The First Telephone Exchange in Portland
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2021
1. The First Telephone Exchange in Portland Marker
Erected 1976 by Oregon Telephone Pioneers of Pacific Northwest Bell.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 2, 1878.
Location. 45° 31.344′ N, 122° 40.281′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It is at the intersection of SW First Ave and SW Ankeny Street, on the right when traveling south on SW First Ave. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portland OR 97204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and in the Willamette Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ankeny Arcade (within shouting distance of this marker); Ladd and Tilton Bank Interior (within shouting distance of this marker); A Lewis and Clark Botanical Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fighting Fire With Steam Power (about 300 feet away); Blagen Block (about 500 feet away); Benjamin Stark (about 600 feet away); James Russel Baxter (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Another marker is no longer nearby. New Market Theatre (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The marker resides under the original cast-iron colonnade of the North Wing of the New Market Block building, which was constructed in 1872, and destroyed in 1956. The colonnade was salvaged from demolition and restored to its original condition.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2021
2. Site of the first telephone exchange in Portland
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026
3. The First Telephone Exchange in Portland Marker
The marker is located beneath the Ankeny Arcade in Ankeny Plaza.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026
4. The First Telephone Exchange in Portland Marker
The durable graffiti has faded only somewhat as the marker has further weathered.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2024, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 442 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2024, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
