FF #84: In the world of urban history, the sidewalk isn’t just concrete—it’s a time capsule.
These “hidden histories” are vanishing. Remember those metal curb guards? Between age, neglect, and necessary ADA ramp upgrades, these iron relics are becoming a rare breed. If you missed it, check out this classic video by Berkeley and Tanya from five years ago – diving into the world of curb guards. [Watch: Slabtown Tours: Berkeley Introduces Curb Guards]
Blacksmiths & Horseshoes
Jim Stewart of the St. Johns Heritage Association shared some incredible “lost” history with us. Back in 1976, a club member captured images of cement stamps from 1915 that have since disappeared. This mark featured was at N. Ivanhoe & Alta: This stamp marked the spot of Misner & Thompson, a local blacksmith shop. The Rare Horseshoe: Finding a horseshoe imprint is like finding a four-leaf clover – I could only find one other example in the Slabtown Tours office files. Christopher A. Gossett’s 1983 book, Rubbings from the Rose City, noted a rare 1905 example on a horse shoe encapsulated in the cement of the southeast corner of SE Union (now Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) and Alder.
S
pot the Historic Stamps Next time you’re walking the dog or grabbing coffee, keep your eyes on the pavement.
You might just be standing on a piece of hidden history.
Have you spotted a unique sidewalk stamp in your neighborhood? Reply with a photo or the cross-streets—I’d love to help track down the history behind it!
From the archives of The Neighbor newspaper. Until 1891 Burnside from N.W. 12th west was Known as Washington Street. Like streets everywhere in the Alphabet District, Burnside was names after a prominent merchant of the late 1800
s. The sidewalk march was still visible in until Thiele’s Restaurant at N.W. 23rd and Burnside (Washington) was replaced with Thiele’s Plaza.
Another example of history lost from Jim Stewart.
These horseshoes where N. Charleston Ave. dead ends at N. Ivanhoe St. Maguson & Colglazier occupied the Blacksmith shop at this location when the sidewalk was laid in 1915. (Image c. 1976)
“NW 28th Place (the west side of 28th Pl) and Upshur. Originally our street was named Meriwether Place and there was a sidewalk stamp…but over the years, sidewalk replacements and updates have since rendered it to MERIWET!” – Natalie Maciukenas
