Portland's Roadside Architecture

Beginning in the 1920s, a new kind of architecture developed along America's roadways. Geared to passing motorists, these fanciful representations of giant Paul Bunyans, over-sized animals and other objects caught the eye and were not easily forgotten. Sometimes there was a relationship bweteen the architecture and the goods sold, but often roadside architecture was simply outrageous for its own sake. Over time, roadside architecture evolved to include thematic examples, like theaters designed with the exotic imagery of distant cultures. By the 1940's, iconic roadside architecture included buildings inspearably linked to the businesses they housed.

Today, stalwart examples of this unique era in architecture remain, adding color and interest to the predictable chain-store imagery of the modern American roadway.

Architect John Perkins will explore the history of this unique aspect of Portland's architectural history, taking you from some of the designs of the past through to the possibilities for the future.