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

First Issue of The Oregonian

Printed here December 4, 1850

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

1. First Issue of The Oregonian Marker

Inscription. A water front shack in this vicinity housed the hand press brought from San Francisco in 1850 by Thomas Dryer to start a newspaper in the small but ambitious settlement of Portland.

This marker commemorates an historic event.

Erected 1969 by The Lang Syne Society of Portland, Oregon.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Oregon, Lang Syne Society of Portland series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 4, 1850.

Location. 45° 31.066′ N, 122° 40.406′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It can be reached from the intersection of Southwest Morrison Street and Southwest 1st Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 SW Morrison Street, 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: December 4, 1850 (here, next to this marker); November 11, 1918 (here, next to this marker); November 23, 1963 (here, next to this marker); May 19, 1980 (a few steps from this marker); July 21, 1969 (a few steps from this marker); August 15, 1945 (a few steps from this marker); Centennial Block, 1878 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mill Ends Park (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Also see . . . The Oregonian's 175 Birthday at Oregonian Printing Press Park (TikTok). (Submitted on September 5, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026

2. First Issue of The Oregonian Marker

This marker is the centerpiece of Oregonian Printing Press Park. Six copies of Oregonian newspapers throughout history were installed in 1983 around the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.