1913 Fire Station - Now Abandoned

1913 Fire Station - Now Abandoned, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

Fire Station Number 2, for many years was an essential part of the old town part of Portland but today stands abandoned surrounded by roads and railroad tracks.

I am not sure when the fire station was last used but it is clear by looking at the old doors that the fire trucks once used that they are in no way equipped to handle today's multi purpose fire trucks.

Hopefully this building would be put to use as it has great architectural details but it will cost money to fix up since it would have to be seismically upgraded to handle the eventuality of a Cascadia Subduction Zone 9.0+ earthquake.

MAX Train at Skidmore Fountain

MAX Red Line train in old town Portland, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

A MAX Red line train on its run from Beaverton to the Portland International Airport passes the Skidmore Fountain in old town Portland.

If this was a Saturday or Sunday except in the months of January and February this area would be jammed packed with people attending the Portland Saturday Market with trains crawling through to ensure no one gets hit. However because it is a weekday things are much quieter in the area and for the operator.

I love walking around Downtown Portland and the surrounding areas taking pictures. No matter how many times I walk the area I always find something new to take pictures of.

This picture also makes me realize that next month will mark 3 years since I boarded a Red Line train at the airport to attend a conference here in Portland and how much my life would change since. Little did I know when I rode the Red Line that day that I would be moving here to Portland in nine months and would make the frightening step to return to school.

Now three years later it seems like all a blur.

Saturday Market/Old Town Sign on Burnside in Portland

Saturday Market Old Town Sign, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

My first full day in Portland last October was mostly spent walking around the downtown area and the areas immediately around it.

I left my motel and walked west along Burnside crossed the Burnside Bridge. This area can be scary for some because of the number of vagrants in the area but of course that would not stop me...

This sign is over a staircase that takes you down to 1st avenue which is the home of the Portland Saturday Market (which also runs on Sunday's).

I like that they put in a classic looking sign that goes so well with the neighborhood including the building next door.