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Note: Originally published Feb 2022, updates from 2023-Feb 2025 at the end of this page.  Bilalian Odyssey, 1983 by Isaka Shamsud-Din--one of the leading artists of the Pacific Northwest--8'x 16' oil & enamel on panel. I happened on the wondrous work above at the Oregon Convention Center the end of January 2022. It inspired me to publish a post for Black History month, though I wasn't sure I had enough content. Over the years my travels have touched on black lives and experiences a bit, and at last I thought I might have enough for a short post. Next to the panel above was a labeled explanation of who and what is depicted: 1. the 25th Infantry Brigade Black Bicycle Corps 2. Beatrice Cannady, 1st black woman to practice law in OR 3. Golden West Hotel, one of the first black-owned hotels in OR 4. Richard Bogle, one of the first successful black businessmen in the NW 5. America Waldo Bogle, wife of Richard Bogle, civic leader 6. escape from slavery to the west 7. Buffalo Soldiers 8. freed slaves headed west 9-10. George Washington, founder of Centralia WA 11. Sacajawea, Lewis & Clark Expedition 12-13. Lewis & Clark 14. York, member Lewis & Clark Expedition 15. Mary Fields, Pony Express rider, stagecoach driver 16. James Becksourth, mountain man, scout, war chief of the Crow 17. slavery & plantation life 18. pioneer caravans of black settlers 1840s-1850s 19. Moses "Black" Harris, mountain man, trapper, trader, guide 20. cattle drive up the Chisholm trail (at one point 2/5 of cowboys were black) 21. Bill Picket, international rodeo star, mentor to Will Rogers 22. "Peerless" Jesse Stahl, once the best wild horse rider in the west 23. black homesteaders had to do so illegally in OR until 1926 (not allowed to own land)  Mural at Killingsworth St & N. Maryland Ave, Portland OR I have been gathering photos and info for a "Sacajawea Trail" post for a couple years or so. Since York was on that same journey, I thought I'd use some of those to show something of what that expedition might have been like for him. A couple of interesting points were that both York and Sacajawea were invited to participate in giving their input about where to spend the winter on the Pacific Coast, and neither of them received any compensation at the end of their journey (as all the others did). No doubt the assumption was that paying Sacajawea's husband recompensed her as well, but that doesn't do for York. Here is an interesting, and I think even-handed treatment of York, a 2010 half-hour documentary by Oregon Public Broadcasting, and my 2 part post on the Sacajawea Trail:
 End of the Oregon Trail museum's fascinating exhibit of black pioneers in the PNW (Oregon City OR) From an End of the Oregon Trail museum exhibit about black pioneers in the PNW pictured above: “George Washington traveled to Oregon in 1850 with James Cochran, who freed him before making the journey. After spending time in Oregon City, Cochran and Washington eventually settled near present-day Centralia [WA]. Washington cleared and fenced twelve acres, kept two dairy cows, made his own clothing, and maintained a good relation ship with his Native American neighbors. He nearly became a victim of claim jumping—two white settlers wanted his land and as Washington was African American, he had no legal claim. The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 expressly prohibited African Americans from homesteading in Oregon—he was technically a squatter. The Cochrans had not yet claimed land of their own, so they rushed to Oregon City to file a claim of 640 acres, including Washington’s farm. Cochran later sold all or a large portion to Washington for $3400. The land was at the Skookumchuck and Chehalis River juncture in Lewis Count. He built a one-room cabin and started a pole ferry on the Skookumchuck River. He Farmed, traveling twice annually to Olympia to sell his grain and saved enough to expand his land holdings. In 1872 the railroad laid tracks nearby and Washington saw his opportunity. With the help of his wife and stepson, he filed a plat for the town of Centerville, later to become Centralia in 1875. Washington turned away speculators and sold $10 lots to anyone who would live on the land. He built houses to rent to poor emigrants and refused to sell property to saloons or other disreputable businesses. Over the years he aided many families by loaning them money and seeing that they were fed. He died following a buggy accident at the age of 87 in 1905.” “George Washington Bush, a free-born African American from Pennsylvania, was deterred by Oregon’s first exclusion law. He emigrated from Western Missouri in 1844 in the same party as John Minto. In his diary Minto noted conversations he had with Bush, who expressed concerns for how he would be treated in the Oregon country. After wintering in The Dalles, Bush headed north of the Columbia River, becoming one of the first Americans and very likely the first African American settler. He homesteaded near Olympia, which placed him out of the reach of the provisional government, as it was under the nominal control of the British. He was a successful farmer and fostered respect within his community due to his generosity towards others. Bush’s widespread support in the community became apparent when he was threatened with the loss of his land. After the state of Washington was organized as a territory in 1853, Bush’s homestead was in jeopardy—the Donation Land Act of 1850 excluded blacks from obtaining free land. Michael Simmons, his old friend from Missouri who had journeyed the Trail with him, campaigned to have Bush’s claim recognized. Fifty-five citizens signed a petition urging exemption. The appeal was endorsed by the Washington Territorial Legislature and forwarded to Congress. [The] US Congress approved a special waiver in 1855 which allowed Bush to legally claim his land. During the severe winter of 1852 grain was in very short supply. Instead of opting to sell at inflated prices, Bush said: ‘I’ll keep my grain to let my neighbors . . . have enough to live on and for seeding their fields in the spring. They have no money to pay your fancy prices and I don’t intend to see them want for anything in my power to provide them with.’” “Louis Southworth was born in Tennessee in 1830 and was brought to Oregon from Missouri in . . . 1851 by his owner James Southworth. After settling for some time in Marysville (now Corvallis [OR]), Southworth mined gold in the Jacksonville [OR] area. He earned additional money by playing the fiddle at dancing schools. Southworth discovered that he could make just as much money performing at mining camps and saloons as he could working in the gold mines. In 1858 he purchased his freedom from his owner. As a free man Southworth worked as a blacksmith in Polk County. He became literate and operated a livery stable. After marrying, Southworth moved to Tidewater, near Waldport, where he made a homestead and later donated land for a school. He served on the school board. Southworth operated a ferry for passengers and freight along the Alsea River. He was a well-dressed man who drove ‘a fine team of black horses’. He was well-respected and treated almost as an equal. In 1915 he recalled that the one thing he couldn’t do was attend church. He had been expelled from the local Baptist congregation when members complained about his fiddle playing. ‘So I told them to keep me in the church with my fiddle if they could, but to turn me out if they must, for I could not think of parting with the fiddle. But somehow I hope it’s written in the big book up yonder where they aren’t so particular about fiddles.’—Louis Southworth” “Abner Hunt Francis . . . was targeted with an expulsion order. He and his brother O.B. were free African Americans who had opened a mercantile store in downtown Portland in 1851 on the corner of Front and Stark streets. Abner was a well-known abolitionist, having been an anti-slavery activist in Buffalo, New York before moving to Portland. He was friend to Frederick Douglass, and his background caused concern among Portland’s anti-black community members. It is likely his new store caused unwanted competition. A justice of the peace ordered Francis, who had been charged with violating the Exclusion Law, to leave Oregon within six months. The order was upheld by Oregon’s Territorial Supreme Court and the time limit was reduced to four months. In spite of a petition signed by 211 sympathetic Portland residents to allow an exemption, the legislature tabled the request and never revisited it. The Francis’ continued to reside in Portland until they voluntarily immigrated to Victoria BC in 1860 where Abner was later elected the city’s first black city councilman.” “Moses ‘Black’ Harris was thought to have come West in 1823. As a skilled trapper and explorer, he gained a reputation of being an expert at winter travel. As the fur trade began to decline, he used his skills to act as a guide for missionaries and wagon trains. In 1836 Harris helped guide the Whitmans and Reverned Henry Spalding to the Oregon Country. In 1844 he led a wagon train of around 500 people over the Oregon Trail, including George Washingtn Bush and the Holmes family. In 1845 Harris rode to the rescue of the Stephen Hall Meek wagon train. Meek [led] his party through ynmapped parts of the Oregon’s high desert. He rode ahead when he stumbled on familiar terrain and rode ahead to The Dalles for help. Harris was the only man willing to lend a hand andundertook the rescue effort himself. He secured supplies from local native tribes and brought them by pack horses. Harris met Meek some thirty miles south of The Dalles. He also later saved a group on the Applegate Trail and helped explore the Cascade Mountains in search of an alternative to the Barlow Road. Harris continued acting as a guide until dying of cholera in 1849.” Fort Nisqually gift shop & museum, Tacoma WA Following are fabulous finds from a trip to Fort Nisqually mid August 2022. Another fascinating story, that of a black woman pioneer of southern Oregon: Letitia Carson  "Early African American Idahoans", Idaho State Museum, Boise ID The photo on the left below is from a presentation at Fort Vancouver WA. Naturally, I thought it not appropriate to appropriate all his visuals. I don't have as many photos for the next phase of black history in the Pacific Northwest, but the following links show and tell something about the black experience in the western US during the 1800s. “I am also entitled to be recognized: The Life and Journey of Moses Williams” Lecture at Fort Vancouver WA, Feb 29, 2020; see
Oregon State Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205, across from the Portland Art Museum "The Remarkable Story of George Washington Bush, The Free Black Man Who Pioneered the Pacific Northwest” by Kaleena Fraga "5 Stops on Your Oregon Coast Black History Road Trip” by Zachary Stocks of Oregon Black Pioneers "Inequity: A Summary of Discrimination in Oregon and the South Coast” Coos History Museum 1st Tues Talk—July 15, 2020 . . . a panel discussion. “Black Americans and Oregon” by Taylor Stewart starts at about 26 min Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660 April of 2022 we finally made it to the Clark County Historical Museum. I was extremely gratified to find along the front sidewalk a colorful and illustrated timeline of Black History for the county, which made it at the same time more local and personal, and was perhaps to some extent a mirror of the wider story of Blacks in America. Photos follow. After having donated most of my children's books to a good cause, I haven't resisted starting to collect more. I love kids' books. Through books we can travel along others' life journeys, their lives enrich our own, and through them our aspirations can take wings. Many good movies have been made about black people's experiences and about black heroes. I noticed some interesting titles at the public library, too, as I was pulling things together for my Learning Lab website delayed in its progress by this Travels site, but eventually they will come together. US Stamps over the years celebrating Black contributions to our nation  I wanted to learn more about and experience a Kwanzaa celebration. In 2019 I found that there's an annual Kwanzaa celebration at the Multnomah County Library--North Portland on Killingsworth and Commercial Ave, so I betook myself to participate. Not all blacks celebrate Kwanzaa, of course, but I think it speaks to the basic principles and values of the black community. Below are some photos from that. Lots of specialty restaurants and food carts are in the area--some African or Caribbean. The Cascade campus of Portland Community College is across the street, which seems to focus a great deal on black history in the US. Portland Art Museum--1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205 We were so crushed for time that we didn't get to see everything Feb 2022, but hopefully there will be another chance with more time. Youth 17 and under are free. I would figure a half day. Below are some of the works by black artists that were on display when we were there. Following are links to more black artists I didn't get to see in person. Oregon Historical Society Museum--1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205 Across the way from the Portland Art Museum is the Oregon Historical Society, including a museum. You can pay for street parking or nearby pay-to-park lots. Their permanent collection is on the third floor. You can also find online resources at their website: A search for “black history” on their website produced 1124 items, perhaps some more useful than others. You can also search "blacks in Oregon".
One incident that caught my attention from Portland's history is the Vanport Flood of 1948. Following are some of many links: “Vanport Flood: Oregon’s Second Largest City that Vanished in a Day” by Tyler Willford, includes a 1 hr video Article “The Vanport Flood” by Michael McGregor (related articles & pics at bottom) Article with photos Article with photo “Vanport Flood begins on Columbia River on May 30, 1948” by Jennifer Ott OMSI Space Science Hall, taken 1 Sept 2022--Portland OR With our world's interconnected communications & media, the Pacific Northwest shares in the wider US experience. Washington History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma WA I visited the Washington History Museum the end of May 2022, and happened on the exhibit called "The Negro Motorist Greenbook", that ran from Mar 19-June 12 that year. Before I got to that exhibit I saw some pertinent displays in the permanent exhibit "Washington: My Home". Later, as I was exploring the parks along Ruston Way, I saw an interpretive sign in Judge Jack Tanner Park that seemed befitting.  Judge Jack Tanner Park, Tacoma WA More links about blacks in the Pacific Northwest A Timeline of Black History in the Pacific Northwest Pacific Northwest History: African Americans; Tacoma Community College Idaho Black History Museum Boise ID Black History of the Northwest—KUOW/NPR Came across this African-American museum in Seattle online. Here’s a half hour OPB production of African American history in OR Updates for 2023-2024 On my travels in 2023 I came across more interesting Black history of the PNW in Olympia WA  Howard Point, An Olympia Black History Landmark--East Bay Dr & Glass Ave, Olympia WA Howard Point Marker—601 East Bay Drive Northeast; East Bay Dr & Glass Ave, Olympia WA Named for Rebecca & Alexander Howard, a black couple that settled in Olympia in the 1850s. Though there's a paved walk around the East Bay, and not a good place to park on the east side, I took my shot from the road despite the perils.  Pacific Hotel & Restaurant (Rebecca Howard) mural on the side of The Bread Peddler--222 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501 George and Isabella Bush Homestead Historic Site--1400 85th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501 On the way back to my hotel in Olympia from Tenino WA (for Oregon Trail Days there), I was too tired to get out, unfortunately, so my photos have something to be desired. The structure needs some TLC. I missed the rather inconspicuous Bush family marker when I was on the Washington State Capitol campus. While the following are not just about Blacks who lived in the Pacific Northwest, they are a part of the heritage of all Americans. Different reading levels and interests can make reading and learning a family affair, as everyone can share. Timelines From Black History--Leaders, Legends, Legacies. DK. 96pp, 37 timelines of people & history, 22 brief bios, forward, glossary, index. Sample pages below.
Naturally, I could not include everyone of merit here, but I hope that this post has given a fair range of the experiences and persons of Black Americans. Black History Month of 2025 I went to see the small but very interesting exhibit at the Mall in Vancouver WA. It was focused on notable black persons of the PNW. The library in the mall had a heart hunt to familiarize folks with the library, based on Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, heart surgeon.Daniel Hale Williams, heart surgeon As I prepared to update this post, I naturally wondered what else I might have to share. Here are some photos of people/places that seemed fitting to include. Ben & Amanda Gardener Johnson Brownsville Historic Pioneer Museum—Linn County Historical Museum, Brownsville OR Buffalo Soldiers of Vancouver Barracks, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, WA Alonzo Tucker (1874-1902) A Black boxer, gym owner, shoe shine. Arrested and accused of assaulting a white woman, he fled and hid overnight under the docks. He was found, shot twice, and dragged with a noose around his neck to the site of the alleged incident. He died on the way, but his body was still hung from a bridge/light pole. Black families fled Coos Bay. Coos History Museum--1210 N Front St, Coos Bay OR 97420  The KKK in Astoria, Clatsop County, OR I didn't notice anything about the KKK harrassing Blacks at this museum, but I wasn't looking for it at the time. “The KKK arrived in Clatsop County in 1921 and allied itself with the local protestant churches, supporting Prohibition and municipal reform. One major difference, however, was the necessity to adapt to the largely immigrant population of Astoria. Klan members were primarily native born and Finnish Protestants, who united against local vice, political corruption, and immorality; however the Klan’s ultimate goal was to alienate the Catholic population from the rest of Astoria.” In the end, “The December 1922 fire created an environment of cooperation between groups, which ultimately made the goals of the Ku Klux Klan irrelevant. Astoria grew in population and industry, while fostering an environment of relative peace between ethnic groups.” Heritage Museum--1618 Exchange St, Astoria OR 97103 Juneteenth MLK Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Table: Breaking Bread in Troubled Times National Gallery of Art Eat Like a Civil Rights Activist - Dr. King's Favorite Foods 11 min video by Soul Season Kwanzaa Black Writers I've read more than pictured below (I was greatly affected by Black Boy, admired Maya Angelou after reading her writings, etc.), but that was before I was taking photos to share, so here's what I have to offer.. 15 Most Famous Black Authors of all Times 13 Black Authors to Read
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 Note: content for this post gathered over several years; last updated 2-22-2025
July 2022 update After a couple years' cancellation due to COVID, the Hawaiian Festival ("4 Days of Aloha") returned to Esther Short Park in 2021, which I missed. In 2022 it was held the weekend of July 21-24. The first 2 days were classes & workshops, Thurs night was a party, Fri night was a concert. Saturday festivities were performers & dancers all day, as well as vendors. Sunday was a 5K/10K run, and a multi-cultural program representing the many peoples of Hawaii. All events/days had a ticket price. I had determined to go on Saturday. In previous years the Saturday festivities were free, but it costed me $10 to get in. I got my ticket ahead online, but plenty of people were buying them at the gate. On my way into downtown at 6th St, I saw a handicapped sign with an arrow. Considering the amount of traffic and the probable difficulty of finding parking, I followed the sign. Not only did I encounter handicapped parking, it was in a garage (costed me $4 for the day), so that my car was protected from becoming an oven. Vancouver Mall--8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662
 Easter bunny photo op at Vancouver Mall, Vancouver WA St. Patrick's festivities at the Mall--16 March 2024 Yeates Academy of Irish Dance Fort Vancouver Pipe Band at Vancouver Mall, 16 Mar 2024 Vancouver Family Magazine Children's Festival--16 Mar 2024 There were many more booths than I could get clear photos without too many people blocking the way; they all seemed to have fun games & prizes for kids. Beside business booths, the Children's Museum had learning and play adventures, the library had a craft table, there was a popular balloon artist, as well as booths by the local school district. I had a great time and collected all kinds of gimmes.
Feb 2025 update--Vancouver Mall for Black History month FVRL (Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries) Vancouver Mall Branch--level 2 Get tax forms, attend story times and other events . . . Mall Library hours: Mon-Thurs 11-7 Fri 11-6 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-6 Businesses do change periodically . . . If looking for something specific, it's worth checking the website above. Exterior Outback Steakhouse--1st level of Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr, Vancouver WA 98662 After so many years, and tempting advertising, I decided to give Outback another try. Glad I did!. It was satisfying, especially as the day had turned cold and wet. This time the music volume was much moderated. My waiter was very friendly, patient, helpful. He didn't hurry me, gave me important direction and help.  Chinatown Gate at 4th & Burnside, Portland OR; history about Chinatown at https://pdxsocialhistory.org/stories/portland-s-chinatown-gate.html The Hoxton Hotel is the dark building through the gate. Travel to China (town) and experience the serene sights and sounds of the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Chinatown/Oldtown is the flatland of Portland, OR. You can access it easily by transit if you want to save yourself parking fees and traffic troubles. Look below for info about:
New Year Celebration--Dragon Dance parade, 25 Jan 2020, Year of the Rat; photos above Happy Chinese New Year! What an auspicious beginning for the year of the rat! The forecast was not so propitious: we were worried that it would be a rainy, dismal day in Chinatown for the Dragon parade--but it was beautiful! Parking fills fast (even an hour early), but the little lot across from Lan Su had spaces and only costed $4 for the day, being Saturday (pay by card). I could not find out the parade route, so it was hard to get decent pictures, behind all the tall people, but I got a few that I felt good about, mostly from the point of origin 315 NW Davis St. The paraders made their way around the block, put on a little show next to Lan Su, and entertained along the way toward the Oregon Historical Society Museum, I believe. We didn't try to follow it that far, as I could see very little. The Chinese Garden, had special activities planned for the whole 2 weeks of Chinese New Year, and a few other venues offered some celebratory activities. For more photos, scroll down at "Celebrating Chinese Style"  Portland Chinatown Museum Portland Chinatown Museum & other points of interest
Chinese Eats in Chinatown Chinese restaurants abound all around, and Chinatown is home to other kinds of cuisines (pizza, Mexican, Voodoo Donuts, etc.). But if you want to be thematic, here are some Chinese eateries within a quarter mile of the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Your proof of payment to the Chinese Garden allows you to exit and re-enter on the same day. So here are some other options for Chinese food:
Traveling by Transit (the Max), or Pay to Park Destination Chinatown was my first try at traveling via the Max, Portland’s Light Rail. Expecting to pay (with my Hop pass) once I got aboard, I looked all over for a place to tap it. Well, you tap it before you get on. Look for a post with the necessary place to tap (pictured below). How to ride the Max: https://trimet.org/guide/max.htm Traveling by Max meant crossing over the I-205 freeway, on a fairly boldly declining pedestrian bridge. Despite protections on either side, my initial traverse caused this old grandma some trepidation. I saw all those vehicles speeding below me, a long way down there, and my heart, if nothing else, was quaking as I went. But, I made it, and the next time wasn’t quite as scary. For the first time while riding transit, I was asked by an individual who appeared to be a somewhat less permanent resident, if he could use my cell phone. I was anxious to get to the train (as well as get some photos), and I admit I was glad to have an excuse. Even though he said he would let me hold it as he talked, what could I do if he snatched it and ran? I have found most people are decent, but just enough aren’t that one must be prudent. Parking lots seem plentiful enough near the Chinese Garden, at $5/hour (or all-day rates). We were able to find parking on the street (another time we went), for $2/hour, max 2 hours (3 hours if you are disabled and pay the max). You can pay by card or coin, in 15-minute increments. Look for a rectangular, boxy post-looking thing along the block. After you pay it will give you a ticket to display on the curbside window of your vehicle. Instructions are on the ticket.
Parking Lots: Chinatown Parking 125 NW 4th Ave City Center Parking 220 NW 2nd Ave Smart Park Garage 33 NW Davis St. Here’s an interesting resource: https://en.parkopedia.com It looks like there are a couple disabled parking spots by the Chinese Garden off NW 2nd Ave & NW Flanders St., and 5 hour parking meters on Flanders between 2nd and 4th Ave. A couple places for disabled parking are shown on NW Couch St off 1st Ave (I think). An Opportunity to Invest in the Community, for Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Most of Oldtown/Chinatown looks like it could use some renovation capital. My dream would be to fund a “hostel” in which the homeless would be housed and prepared in every respect for success in the housing and hospitality industries. Connected with this would be a health clinic, also employing internships for training people who need every kind of mentoring, and recovery help for addictions. I would like to see them help one another as they develop the skills and resilience to build or rebuild their lives. I saw a program that helps at-risk youth in this way: AA and alternatives:  July 19, 2023 updates Chinatown Gate at 4th & Burnside The Hoxton Hotel--15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Chen’s Good Taste Restaurant--18 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 A website extant invites online orders for delivery. The COVID-19 era was not kind to Chinatown. Charlie's Deli & Delivery--32 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Charlie's seems to have moved to 32 NW 5th Ave, across from the MAX stop. Republic Café & Ming Lounge--222 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Lunar New Year Celebration at Lan Su Chinese Garden--Feb 2025, the year of the Snake The night before we went, the celebration had to be canceled, tickets exchanged for another night. I hadn't ventured out since Tues. because it was too cold to melt the snow that fell. But Sat the roads were clear, the sidewalks nearly clear, so we went, as I had wanted for so many years. I dressed in 3-4 layers top to bottom, and my friend gave me a battery heated outdoor blanket, so my paralyzed legs and feet did ok (they can't keep themselves warm). In the vicinity of the Lan Su Chinese Garden |
Wheelchair WomanI've been in a wheelchair for 30+ years. It poses some challenges for traveling. Maybe others can benefit from my experiences. Archives
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