Southwest Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Benjamin Stark

Jan. 26, 1822-Oct. 11, 1898

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2021

1. Benjamin Stark Marker

Inscription. Pioneer Portland merchant and U.S. Senator, Benjamin Stark came to Portland in 1845 on the bark TOULON and established a merchandising business. That same year, he purchased Asa Lawrence Lovejoy’s interest in a land claim, which, together with Francis W. Pettygrove’s interest, then constituted Portland. In 1848, he went to the California gold mines, and on his return found his claim disputed; it finally was adjusted by allowing him a triangular strip, extending north from Stark to Ankeny Streets and west from the river to 10th Street. He later made a great deal of money selling town lots from this area. Stark studied law, was admitted to the Oregon bar in 1850, and became a territorial legislator in 1853. He was appointed by Governor Whiteaker to serve the unexpired term of U.S. Senator E. D. Baker, Sept. 1861-Dec. 1862. Stark donated the site for the first Trinity Episcopal Church at 2nd and Oak Streets, and also gave the parish a great bronze bell in 1873. The third Trinity Episcopal Church building, now at N.W. 19th and Everett, still has Stark's bell. Stark Street was named for him. In his later years, he resided at

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New London, Connecticut, where he had lived before coming to Portland.

This marker stands on the Benjamin Stark Land Claim

Erected by David R. Williams - Donald R. Stark - Preston C. Hiefield Jr. - Oliver I. Norville - James E. Griffin.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1861.

Location. 45° 31.245′ N, 122° 40.258′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It is at the intersection of Southwest Naito Parkway and SW Pine Street, on the right when traveling south on Southwest Naito Parkway. Marker is located in front of the Worldmark building at the corner of Southwest Naito Parkway and SW Pine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 SW Naito Pkwy, 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,

Photo from Benjamin Stark Marker image. Click for full size.

Oregon Historical Society

2. Photo from Benjamin Stark Marker

Second Trinity Church (Episcopal) - Built 1872-73 at 6th and Oak.

it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battleship Oregon Memorial Marine Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Figurehead and Foremast of the Battleship Oregon (within shouting distance of this marker); In Remembrance of the United States Battleship Oregon (within shouting distance of this marker); Fechheimer & White Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Dielschneider Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Fighting Fire With Steam Power (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A.H. Francis Building - 1854 (about 500 feet away); Ankeny Arcade (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Benjamin Stark Land Claim site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2021

3. Benjamin Stark Land Claim site

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2024, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2024, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.