Month: May 2020

Buy a T-shirt it works like a ticket for a tour in 2020.

Slabtown Tours News , , ,
Black T-shirt red text "A Night with Ghosts Slabtown Tours, PDX" Sketch of Harp's boy moving object-old fashion phone, plate, cuckoo clock.

We have suspended operations Slabtown Tours until it is both safe & legal to open up for business. As the stay at home orders continue it is looking more likely our already short season will not start on time. There have always been requests for t-shirts for people to remember their time with us. We believe there is no time like the present! For every shirt you purchase from our fundraiser we will provide you a FREE tour when we reopen. That’s right you get a t-shirt and ghost tour for only $20! It would help us tremendously and I personally think the shirt looks pretty awesome. From my family to yours we hope you all stay safe and we look forward to entertaining you in NW Portland! Link For T-shirt Purchase. We have to sell at least 12 otherwise they will not print them-Thank you for your help.

Our 2020 A Night With Ghosts T-Shirt/Ticket

May Day Fun Fact 56 What was Bloody Wednesday?

Slabtown Tours Fun Facts ,
May Day Fun Fact 56 What was Bloody Wednesday?

A crowd of men are walking towards the photographer. They are on a weed/grass covered field with a train track.
Striking longshore workers occupy the railroad tracks near Pier Park and N. Columbia Blvd. courtesy of City of Portland Archives & Records A2004-002.9377,

What was Bloody Wednesday?

Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) to gain recognition and better working conditions. The strikers were attempting to block a train carrying cargo through the picket line. The police, led by Chief B.K. Lawson, were instructed to clear the way. According to the provided text, police and strikers offered conflicting accounts of the event, with police claiming they fired about 35 shots and strikers alleging several hundred.

The Aftermath and Significance

During the confrontation, four strikers—Elmus W. Beatty, Peter Stephenson, Bert Yates, and W. Huntington—were shot. The violence also damaged the surrounding area, with bullets hitting many trees in Pier Park. Despite the police action, the picket line held, which the provided text describes as a victory for the ILWU. This event demonstrated the high stakes and violent nature of labor disputes during this era and ultimately contributed to the union’s success in achieving recognition.

For more depth watch: The 1934 West Coast waterfront strike | Oregon Experience | OPB

We offerer St. History Johns Tours that does not take guests to Pier Park at this time but this history can be offered in a private tour.

Updated August 18, 2025 Alt Text, links, grammar.