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

Daniel H. Lownsdale

1803 – 1862

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

1. Daniel H. Lownsdale Marker

Inscription. Prominent landholder, civic leader and philanthropist, Lownsdale was largely responsible for the early growth of Portland. He arrived here in 1845 from Kentucky and his land claim of 640 acres encompassed most of present day downtown Portland. The survey and sale of this property was the basis of the city’s early growth. He was also a promoter of the Valley Plank Road linking Portland with the western agricultural valley.

Lownsdale Square and the South Park Blocks were donated to the city by Lownsdale.

Erected 1991 by Lang Syne Society of Portland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 45° 30.967′ N, 122° 40.643′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It can be reached from the intersection of Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Main Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in Lownsdale Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1021 SW 4th Avenue, Portland OR 97204, United States of

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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: Spanish–American War Soldier's Monument (here, next to this marker); Fountain for Company H (a few steps from this marker); William W. Chapman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Portland Building Transformation (about 400 feet away); In Honor of Vietnam Veterans (about 500 feet away); 太湖石 / Lake Tai Rock (about 500 feet away); The Portland Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Washington Ellipse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Also see . . . Daniel Lownsdale (1803–1862) (Chet Orloff, Oregon Encyclopedia).

Daniel H. Lownsdale was an early Portland townsite settler who
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

2. Daniel H. Lownsdale Marker
The marker is located in the center of Lownsdale Plaza.
served in the Provisional Government legislature. As a real-estate investor, he owned much of the land that became Portland's central city, and he led the effort to build the Great Plank Road, the city’s first major infrastructure project. Lownsdale also bequeathed to the city a strip of land that became Portland's first public park, the South Park Blocks.

(Submitted on August 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Thompson Elk Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

3. Thompson Elk Fountain

The Thompson Elk Fountain, a Portland landmark, is on display between the neighboring Chapman and Lownsdale Squares.

Daniel Lownsdale image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

4. Daniel Lownsdale

Daniel H. Lownsdale From: Gray, William Henry. 1870. A history of Oregon, 1792-1849

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.