Beaumont-Wilshire, Portland, Oregon

The Beaumont-Wilshire (/ˌboʊmɒnt ˈwɪlʃər/ BOH-mont WIL-shər) neighborhood of Portland, Oregon is located in the city's northeast section, on Alameda Ridge with views of Downtown, the Willamette River, and the Cascades. It is bordered by the Alameda, Concordia, Cully, Rose City Park, and Grant Park neighborhoods. "Beaumont Village", located on NE Fremont Street, from NE 33rd Ave. to NE 50th Ave., is the main commercial district in the neighborhood, but the neighborhood also lies within walking distance of the Hollywood District, a major commercial and shopping area to the south.

Beaumont-Wilshire
Neighborhood
Beaumont-Wilshire
Coordinates: 45°33′01″N 122°37′21″WPDF map
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CityPortland
Government
 • AssociationBeaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association
 • CoalitionNortheast Coalition of Neighborhoods
Area
 • Total0.72 sq mi (1.87 km2)
Population
 (2000)[1]
 • Total5,122
 • Density7,100/sq mi (2,700/km2)
Housing
 • No. of households2168
 • Occupancy rate97% occupied
 • Owner-occupied1890 households (87%)
 • Renting278 households (13%)
 • Avg. household size2.36 persons

Beaumont-Wilshire is an older, well established neighborhood. It has a mixture of residential and commercial properties. The Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood is in actuality two separate neighborhoods separated by NE Fremont Street, with Beaumont to the south and Wilshire to the north. The two neighborhoods agreed to form the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association to recognize their common interests, including their common commercial center of Beaumont Village.

History

The original Beaumont neighborhood was platted in 1910. It was originally part of the Rose City Park subdivision which was platted in 1907. The original Rose City Park subdivision was part of a land claim of Joseph Backenstos, which was assigned to his widow by President Andrew Johnson in 1866. Early maps, around 1890, refer to this area as the Crook Tract. The name Beaumont means "beautiful mountain" in French. The south slope of Alameda Ridge, originally known as "Beaumont Hill" or "Gravel Hill", trends northwest-southeast through the southern part of the neighborhood. The ridge has views of northeast Portland and the downtown skyline, as well as some of the most expensive homes in Portland. Reportedly, concrete sidewalks and curbs were poured south of NE Fremont in 1911, and the streets were paved within the following few years.

The Wilshire neighborhood was initially platted in 1921 around the area of NE 33rd and N.E. Skidmore. Wilshire includes Wilshire Park, a 14.83-acre (60,000 m2) park with a canopy of mature trees, playgrounds, and picnic facilities. In 1928 the area between NE Fremont and Prescott, and from NE 42nd to 52nd was annexed into the city of Portland, and part of this annex later became the eastern part of the Wilshire neighborhood.

  • Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Boundary
  • Beaumont-Wilshire Topographic Map
  • NE 46th Avenue Between Siskiyou St. and Stanton St.
  • NE 42nd Avenue, south of Fremont Street

Demographics

According to 1996 Census data, the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood consists primarily of owner-occupied, single-family housing, with approximately 5,463 residents. South of Fremont, most of the homes were built in the early 1900s and include Tudors, Craftsman, and bungalow style homes. North of Fremont early 1900s classic styles are present along with a few homes that were built after 1950.

Fremont Street ("Beaumont Village")

NE Fremont Street, between NE 33rd and NE 50th Avenues, locally known as "Beaumont Village", serves as the focal point of activity for the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood. As a neighborhood center, NE Fremont Street provides a mix of housing, commercial, institutional and retail services to residents and visitors. It is a place where people can socialize, run their errands, window shop, and dine at local restaurants. Interspersed between the commercial activity are small professional offices that provide medical, legal, and financial services to the greater community.

In early August of each year, Beaumont Village hosts the "Fremont Fest", which includes live music, artists and craftspeople, sidewalk sales, face painting, horse and carriage rides, and a children's parade.

  • "Beaumont Village" on NE Fremont Street
  • Beaumont Market

Schools

Beaumont Middle School is located near the center of the neighborhood, immediately west of NE 41st Avenue on the north side of NE Fremont Street. Beaumont School originally opened in 1914, and its current two-story, brick building was completed in 1926.

  • Beaumont Middle School

Notes
  1. Demographics (2000)

References
  • Hunt, P. M., 1998, "The Beaumont Profiles": The Beaumont Neighborhood Project, 429 p.
  • Rose City Park Neighborhood History Book: celebrating 90 years since the platting of the Rose City Park subdivision in 1907 (1997, 4th addition); Rose City Park Neighborhood Association, 47 p., Maps.
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