The Forgotten Story of Harbor Drive: Portland's Demolished Freeway

In the 1970s, Portland made a pioneering decision to rip up its oldest freeway and replace it with a city park. This documentary tells the full story of Harbor Drive, from its inception as one of Oregon's most prestigious roadways, to the unique circumstances that eventually led to its removal.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:49 - The Front Avenue Project
4:45 - The War Years
8:44 - Completing the Vision
12:21 - A True Freeway
17:34 - The Writing on the Wall
21:29 - A Last Chance
27:15 - Redevelopment
32:09 - Closure
35:19 - Reflection
39:41 - Credits

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This video is for educational purposes and is distributed for non-commercial use. It is not monetized or sponsored. All video footage, images and audio recordings are the property of their original owners and are used in accordance with Fair Use principles.

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Music:
“Honey and Clementines” by Lee Rosevere
“Cats Walking” by Yomoti
“Hungaria” by Latché Swing
“Main Stem” by U.S. Army Blues
“Kelli's Number” by U.S. Army Blues
“Barbara” by U.S. Army Blues
“Pacing” by Chad Crouch
“Gizmo” by Podington Bear
“Well and Good” by Podington Bear
“Blue Highway” by Podington Bear
“Coffee” by Chad Crouch
“Algorithms” by Chad Crouch

[NSHorseheadSD]

I just spent 40 minutes watching a video about a freeway in a city I've never been to and will probably never visit. That's how good your narration and presentation is. I'm loved your ACI video and SPSF merger video. I'm looking forward to more of your work!

[brycewipper]

As a Portland native, it is fascinating to learn more about our cities infrastructure history. I would love to see you cover the history of I-205. Great video!

[AndrewPlato]

This was a refreshingly engaging documentary. Fascinating topic, excellent production.

[Leannchops]

I am from New Zealand, and we drove through Seattle as they were underway with the project. I remember saying to my husband, "Why would you built all that built up freeway right next to the water- you can't even see it!" We were very relieved when we saw all the signs detailing the fact it was all coming out.

[Usapyon_]

as a native Oregonian and my husband a native to portland, we cannot thank you enough for both this and the other video you made about the unbuilt freeways. your videos are some of the best ive seen, giving so much interesting information about the cities past . please i hope you will keep making more videos about the history and many stories about portland and oregon in general . :) . again just amazing videos, we were captivated the whole time and bummed when it was over :) .

[erikziak]

I am truly amazed by the quality of this video. Research, narration, graphics, music. This it really a top quality documentary. Thank you. The effort, time and love put into this was certainly immense.

[ganginfr]

everything about this is so polished and informative. absolutely cannot wait for more from you!! i like how you label changes in topic as "detours" it's funny

[ygrbooks]

I live in Zürich, Switzerland, where planners in the 50s and 60s wanted to build three freeways through the middle of the city and along the river Limmat, destroying most of the medival old town. Some of their "ideas" were rejected - thank God - but some were not. And the city still suffers from these sins. Hats off to Tom McCall for his vision at a time when practically nobody thought of the environment.

[StanleyKewbeb]

There's so many great shots of downtown Portland at various times-- I have to keep pausing it to admire them. Thx for posting.

[travholiday]

Robert Moses was a national tragedy, He also proposed an expressway edging the French Quarter at the Mississippi, The people of New Orleans protested and stopped it

[TTT]

I live in Portland and mostly bike wherever I go so the waterfront is a place I pass through frequently. I'm a much bigger fan of the current infrastructure. It's so cool to see the history like this! Thank you!

[jordanwright]

Love your channel. I'm not from the US but have a real interest in American infrastructure and Freeway removals. Keep up the good work!

[RobertERider]

Watching the video gave me goose bumps. I love Portland!

[paulfernandez]

I am a Washington state resident who just discovered your channel and I can’t get enough! Keep it up! Learned so much about the PNW history

[garyruss]

We need another Tom McCall. The concept of all beachfronts & navigable waterways being accessible is so foreign to those outside of Oregon. Many places you cannot even see the waterfronts because of all the development & private ownership. That & urban growth boundaries has made Oregon a wonderful state. Sadly there are still many environmental issues that need to be addressed.

[Artuchu]

Woah- Portland resident for my entire life, never heard of this and it answers some of the questions I had about Portland-

[kdigiacomo]

Loved this, I learned a lot and I grew up in Beaverton. I'm 48 and I've asked people quite a bit older than me why Portland has odd things about it and they don't even know. Glad I know now, too bad I don't go there anymore and I still live in Beaverton. My previous comment explains why.
**Appreciate you making this.

[carpo]

Thank you for this, it was a wonderful documentary. I've lived in the Portland area my whole life and I never knew about this freeway. I have a plaque that I obtained decades ago which was a gift from the governor of Hokkaido Japan to Tom mccall, dated from 1968.

He was a truly well respected man, and I suppose today people would just call him a hippie. Trying to protect nature and everything. How dare he. 😀

I am extremely grateful to have Waterfront Park when I go to portland.

Even in spite of all the trash and homeless camps

[Deeplycloseted]

Never been to Portland, but I’m high, and really enjoying this.

[seanc]

Going down that ramp into Waterfront park on a bicycle is a weird feeling, using this massive concrete structure that abruptly ends in a grassy park.