Story Image

The Ladies' Orchestra in Erickson's Cafe and Concert Hall, 1905

Image: City of Portland Archives, A2004-001.231.jpg (Used by permission)

A Laborer's Retreat

The history of Erickson's Saloon

Finnish immigrant, August Erickson, owned a whole city block of bars in Portland, just north of Burnside, between 2nd and 3rd. Collectively known as Erickson's Saloon, the establishments featured a physical bar that was 684-feet long. These bars featured a variety of entertainment and cuisine for his clientele: the sailors, loggers, and miners who passed through Portland on their way to and from jobs all over the Northwest. The bars began their decline with the onset of Prohibition in 1920 and Erickson's death in 1925.

Guest thumbnail

As Told By...

Doug Kenck-Crispin

Resident Historian

ORHistory.com, home of the podcast series Kick Ass Oregon History

Website: Kick Ass Oregon History

Doug Kenck-Crispin is the Ribald Resident Historian from www.orhistory.com. He researches, writes and co-produces the bi-weekly podcast series Kick Ass Oregon History, recently featured in the Portland Mercury, Portland Monthly and The Oregonian. He has a BA in History, and is nearing completion of his MA in Public History, with an emphasis on the History of the Pacific Northwest (Portland State University). A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Doug enjoys a good yarn — the more outlandish and unseemly the better — especially when they are true!

Location Arrow Show my location

Nearby Stories
Erickson's: Yesterday and Today History of Old Town 0 feet
The Unstoppable August Erickson History of Old Town 53 feet
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center Japanese-American History 211 feet
Southwest Second & Burnside Worker's History 264 feet
Portland's Chinatown Gate Chinese Immigrants 475 feet
Crimping History of Old Town 634 feet
Inspiration for Japanese-American Historical Plaza Japanese-American History 634 feet
Cherry Trees in Waterfront Park Japanese-American History 739 feet
The Meaning of Parking Lots Chinese Immigrants 739 feet
A Place to Just Be Lesbian History 792 feet