Oregon City’s Outdoor Elevator
The original city of Oregon City, just south of Portland, Oregon was built next to the Willamette River. As the city grew, it developed up the bluff. An easier way was needed to get to the upper level of the city and by 1867, steps were built. But numbering 722, the steps were difficult to climb.
In 1912, the City Commission put before the voters a bill to build an elevator. It took 3 years and a lot of political wrangling before the first elevator was built of wood and steel and put into operation on December 3, 1915. At first the elevator was operated by water power. This was a slow and jerky ride lasting about 3-5 minutes. The elevator had lots of breakdowns which forced people to walk down a narrow stairwell.
By 1924, electricity replaced the water power and reduced the ride to 30 seconds. However, by the 1950′s, breakdowns became more frequent. A new elevator was needed. It took until 1954 before a design proposal was accepted and a new elevator was built of concrete and steel. The new elevator was completed and dedicated on May 5, 1955.
Today people can easily drive to the upper level of Oregon City. So why keep the elevator in operation? After all, the city pays to keep the elevator staffed 7 days a week and doesn’t charge a dime. Perhaps it’s for the fame. After all, the elevator is the country’s only outdoor municipal elevator. There are only 4 in the entire world.
The ride to the top is smooth as any indoor elevator. The attendant sits in a small glass enclosed booth within the elevator. The attendant’s shift is 6 hours. The operate the elevator and serve a tour guide. Approximately 14-1500 people ride the elevator each day with many using it as a means to get to work.
At the top of the elevator is a glass enclosed viewing platform. Windows give you a glimpse of the lower level of Oregon City plus the Willamette Valley surrounding the city. In the picture here you may be able to see Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood in the background. Along the walls under the windows are a series of murals that tell the story of pioneer migration and the development of the town. The murals are in 3-D, they change as you move to reflect the development in progress.
The lower level elevator entrance is in downtown Oregon City at 300 7th Street. It rises on “Elevator Street”, the only vertical street in North America. The view at the top is worth the ride.
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