Last Updated on June 29, 2026
Today, we wanted to share a wee bit of Irish history hidden right here in Slabtown.
Sherlock Street, a short stretch in Northwest Portland, is named after William Sherlock—an early Portland pioneer and Irish immigrant. Born in New Ross, Ireland, in 1817, Sherlock arrived in Portland in March of 1850 and quickly made his mark on the growing city.
A true horse aficionado, he operated a successful livery business running hackney cabs. While his grand mansion sat on NW 21st Avenue in Nob Hill, the street bearing his name is located closer to the river. It sits right at the edge of his original 45-acre property, then known as “Sherlock’s Addition.”
Sherlock was a fixture in the community, often spotted around town with one of his eleven children. He retired comfortably in 1876, eventually passing away in 1901. Beyond the street itself, his legacy lives on in the city’s architecture—he also owned the land where the historic Sherlock Building stands today in downtown Portland.
The retired blog has more images.
Want to learn more about prominent Irish in Portland?
Patrick & Bridget Ryan. Bridget Higgins Ryan (b. 1850, d. 1934) She opened “Pacific House” on 3rd & Ankeny, a boarding house in Portland with two fellow Irish women. She married Patrick Ryan in 1882; a decade later they built the Ryan Hotel on SW Fifth Street across from City Hall.
Johns Wilson (b. 1826, d. 1900) arrived in Oregon in 1849 (his personal library collection is housed in the Central Library in the Johns Wilson Rare Book Room).
Dr. Marie Equi, an anarchist who took particular interest in immigrant rights, advocated for the eight hour day.
James & Katherine Barrett. James was born in Odorney, County Kerry, in Ireland in 1855. An impressive mason, he played a key role in the construction of St. Patrick’s Church (completed in 1891) and Trinity Episcopal Church, as well as a number of stone houses
Stephen J. McCormick was mayor of Portland (1858-1859) and the first president of the Portland Hibernian Benevolent Society.
Are there any other Irish Traditions in Portland?
St. Patrick’s Day Parades use to start at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in old South Portland and end at St. Mary’s Cathedral (in Nob Hill).
St. Patrick’s Church St. Patrick’s in Slabtown is the oldest Catholic Church in greater Portland. The cornerstone for the church was laid on St. Patrick’s day in 1889, and was dedicated “To the glory of God in honor of Ireland’s Apostle, St. Patrick” in 1891.