Southwest Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Simon and Helen Director Park
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Teachers Fountain
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
1. Simon and Helen Director Park side of marker
Simon and Helen Director Park
My grandparents, Simon and Helen Director, were part of a generation of immigrants whose hard work helped build this city. Simon Director (18911981) was born in the small Russian village of Chartoriysk. He arrived in Portland in 1910 and began work as a butcher. Helen Holtzman (19001976) was born in Warsaw, Poland. She arrived in Portland in 1916 and that same year met and married my grandfather. They had three daughters, June, Ruth, and Arlene.
By 1921 the couple had saved enough money to open the first of what would become a chain of variety stores across northern Oregon and southern Washington. In the early 1930s they purchased the Jennings Furniture Company, a Portland business that they operated with great success. After selling the stores in the 1950s, Simon embarked on a new career as a real estate investor in downtown Portland, and Helen co-founded an art gallery.
Simon and Helen Director served their community with distinction, paving the way for their children and grandchildren and for generations to come. This park honors their memory and that of their generation in the hope that those who follow will continue their efforts to help make Portland the wonderful city that we call home.
Jordan Director Schnitzer
Teachers Fountain
Teachers Fountain is dedicated to teachers everywhere in honor of their selfless and untiring efforts to inspire the hearts and minds of their students. The work they do enriches all of our lives.
Simon and Helen Director Park and Teachers Fountain have been given to the people of Portland for their enjoyment, through the generous contributions of
this page online
Dedicated October 27, 2009
Erected 2009 by Portland Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 2009.
Location. 45° 31.132′ N, 122° 40.864′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It is at the intersection of Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street, on the left when traveling north on Southwest Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 815 SW Park Ave, Portland OR 97205, 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 Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Portland's First Public School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Simon Benson (about 500 feet away); Roosevelt Hotel (about 600 feet away); The Portland Hotel (about 600 feet away); Lincoln Bicentennial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Congregational Church of Portland (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles A. Sprague (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Washington Ellipse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
2. Teachers Fountain side of marker
Also see . . . Director Park (Wikipedia).
Features at the park include a fountain, artworks, a cafe, and a distinctive glass canopy. Director Park was designed by Laurie Olin of the design firm OLIN, and the Portland-based architectural firm ZGF Architects. The park is part of what had originally been planned as a corridor of consecutive public parks stretching across downtown Portland.(Submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
3. Director Park
The marker is located in the northeast corner of Director Park.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
4. Teachers Fountain
The fountain is one of the central features within Director Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
