Last Updated on June 25, 2026
Many guests ask for more resources after our walk. These are the three books that most influenced my research and are wonderful ways to continue exploring our local history.
You’ve finished the tour—which books you should read to keep the story going?
I. Curious about how the streetcar era shape the unique layout of SE Foster today?
If you found yourself captivated by the old rails and the way the neighborhood was built, Richard Thompson’s Sunnyside Streetcars is a wonderful companion. While we walk the route of the old steam dummy line on our tour, Richard’s book provides the technical details and wonderful maps that help you visualize the 1892-1936 era in even greater depth. It’s like having a piece of the tour on your bookshelf.
II. Why was SE Foster once considered the “Second Downtown” for Portland cinema?
In Theaters of Portland, Steve Stone and Gary Lacher highlight a density of neighborhood theaters that rivaled even St. Johns. Steve Stone himself was instrumental in helping me map this cluster. While the book documents these “lost” theaters, our tour explores the physical spaces where they once stood, discussing why this specific streetcar-served corridor became such a massive entertainment magnet for mid-century Portlanders.
III. Where can I find the most authentic images of Foster’s “gritty” mid-century past?
The images in the book—many sourced from Thomas Robinson’s collection of liquor commission negatives—really capture the “feeling” of the 1950s that we talk about on the tour. It’s a great way to see the neighborhood through the lens of the 1940s and 50s from the comfort of your favorite reading chair.
Launch Pad
For the Love of all things Foster: Blog 2008-2017 Jeff’s unofficial, sometimes snarky, often times overjoyed take on the assorted goings-on in the neighborhood. Jeff was leading monthly tours of Foster as a staff person at Venture Portland and asked me to take over. He came on half a dozen of the tours as a co-host and helped integrate my skills with his lived experience.
A Bonus Behind the Scenes Tour of The Phoenix Pharmacy Video
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