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

Theodore Roosevelt

Rough Rider

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

1. Theodore Roosevelt Marker

Inscription. (Front of plinth)
He was found faithful over a few things and he was made ruler over many. He was frail; he made himself a tower of strength. He was timid; he made himself a lion of courage. He was a dreamer; he became one of the great doers of all time. Men put their trust in him; women found a champion in him; kings stood in awe of him, but children made him their playmate. He broke a nation’s shudder with his cry, and it rose up. Souls became swords through him; swords became servants of God. He was loyal to his country, and he exacted loyalty; he loved many lands, but he loved his own land best; he was terrible in battle, but tender to the weak; joyous and tireless, being free from self-pity; clean with a cleanness that cleansed the air like a gale. His courtesy knew no wealth or class; his friendship, no creed or color or race. His courage stood every onslaught of savage beast and ruthless man, of loneliness, of victory, of defeat. His mind was eager, his heart was true, his body and spirit defiant of obstacles, ready to meet what might come. He fought injustice and tyranny; bore sorrow gallantly; loved all nature,

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bleak places, and hardy companions, hazardous adventure and the zest of battle. Wherever he went he carried his own pack; and in the uttermost parts of the earth he kept his conscience for his guide.

Hagedorn

(Rear of plinth)
Presented to the City of Portland
by Dr. Henry Waldo Coe
Lifelong friend of Theodore Roosevelt
Dedicated to
the children of America

Erected 1922 by The City of Portland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Patriots & Patriotism.

Location. 45° 30.961′ N, 122° 40.972′ 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 Jefferson Street, in the median on Southwest Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1230 SW Park Ave, Portland OR 97201, 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

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

2. Theodore Roosevelt Marker

A closeup of the Hagedorn quotation on the front of the plinth.

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: The Great Plank Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles A. Sprague (within shouting distance of this marker); The Washington Ellipse (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Congregational Church of Portland (within shouting distance of this marker); Peace Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lincoln Bicentennial (about 300 feet away); Roosevelt Hotel (about 600 feet away); Simon Benson (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Also see . . . Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider (Wikipedia).

Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider is a bronze sculpture by American artist Alexander Phimister Proctor, formerly located in the South Park Blocks of Portland, Oregon in the United States. The equestrian statue was completed in 1922 and depicts Theodore Roosevelt as the leader of the cavalry regiment that fought during the Spanish–American War
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

3. Theodore Roosevelt Marker
A closeup of the rear of the plinth.
called the Rough Riders. It was toppled by demonstrators during the Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage in October 2020.

(Submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Theodore Roosevelt Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

4. Theodore Roosevelt Monument

The monument was removed in 2020 after being toppled and damaged as a response to the former president's treatment of Indigenous people. As of 2026, plans are in place to return the monument to South Park Blocks with new interpretive history.

Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider, by Alexander Phimster Proctor image. Click for full size.

By Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 4.0, October 3, 2016

5. Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider, by Alexander Phimster Proctor

The statue as it stood until 2020.

Cultural District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

6. Cultural District

A marker commemorating the lighting of the South Park Blocks monuments is installed in front of the plinth.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.