Portland’s History and Why We’re Proud to Serve the Portland Community
Long before skyscrapers and streetcars, the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers was home to Chinookan peoples—specifically the Multnomah and Clackamas tribes. They fished salmon, hunted and traded along the riverbanks, and their presence was recorded by the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805. Oregon Trail settlers arrived in the 1840s, drawn by rich timber and river access.
In 1843, William Overton and Asa Lovejoy filed a land claim; Overton sold his share to Francis Pettygrove, and a coin toss between Pettygrove and Lovejoy christened the settlement “Portland” instead of “Boston”. When the town incorporated in 1851, it boasted fewer than 900 residents, a steam sawmill, and a log‑cabin hotel. Tragedy struck in 1873 when a fire destroyed more than 20 blocks downtown.
Portland grew rapidly thanks to its deep‑water port and the booming lumber industry, eventually eclipsing rival ports like Oregon City and Milwaukie. The city’s location at the head of navigation on both rivers made it a commercial hub for timber, wheat, and passengers heading to the interior.
Today Portland is Oregon’s largest city with about 643,000 residents, a median household income near $88,792 and a thriving creative economy. Known for its microbreweries, food carts, bridges and vibrant neighborhoods, it embraces sustainability and innovation. Fast Plumbing & Drain is honored to serve households and businesses across the Rose City.