Tag: Mike Ryerson
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Fun Fact Pre #1 Mike Ryerson
Read more: Fun Fact Pre #1 Mike RyersonThe Origin Story of Slabtown Tours Northwest Portland Champion Mike Ryerson 1940-2015 In 2012 Mike Ryerson felt that his friend Tanya March was not using her education to its fullest. Mike Ryerson was born in Northwest Portland in 1940, a fourth-generation resident of the neighborhood. He had just lost a long time job and wanted to start a new…
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Curated Soul of Slabtown Book List
Read more: Curated Soul of Slabtown Book ListBeyond Slabtown Tour Many of these books are on the reserve shelf at the NW Library. Library card holders should explore the Libby Ap a few books from the curated lists can be accessed there for free as digital books. Many of these books can be found locally at Powells City of Books. Other great book stores in areas the we lead tours include: Two…
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Fun Fact #64 How much did 2247 NW Kearney rent for in the 1970s?
Read more: Fun Fact #64 How much did 2247 NW Kearney rent for in the 1970s?This 1909 single family home off of NW23rd on the edge between Nob Hill & Slabtown is 2,472 square feet and rented for $65/month in the 1970s. Image on left appeared on the cover of a marketing newspaper in my St. Johns mailbox. I remain curious why of all the houses the real estate agent could have picked from in…
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Fun Fact #39. Fun Fact: What sort of Escort Service did Mike Ryerson start in 1975?
Read more: Fun Fact #39. Fun Fact: What sort of Escort Service did Mike Ryerson start in 1975?The Portland Police Were Displeased with Mike Ryerson’s Escort Service. Answer: A Crime Stoppers Buddy System – Anti-Rape Escort Service This “escort service” was organized by Mike Ryerson when he was a display manager for Montgomery Ward department store. Seven NW Portland women had reported being raped, and the serial rapist was attacking nurses and women employed in local bars. …
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Fun Fact #20: Where was the first headshop on NW 23rd?
Read more: Fun Fact #20: Where was the first headshop on NW 23rd?The first headshop on NW 23rd was at 1007 NW 23rd Avenue. As of Spring 2026, there are 348 active cannabis business licenses in the City of Portland. In the 1970s Portland was a very tolerant city, teeming with hippies, and in 1973 Oregon was the first state in the country to decriminalize marijuana. I have enjoyed reading Willamette Weeks’s coverage…
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Fun Facts #6: It’s not Christmas without Elvis
Read more: Fun Facts #6: It’s not Christmas without ElvisUpdated 6-19-2025 Added Links, Images, Sources Presley Spun – Deejay Fired: Elvis White Christmas Banned by KEX Radio Portland’s KEX Radio banned Elvis Presley’s recording of “White Christmas” from being played on the air. Al Priddy, a popular deejay, ignored his boss and it cost him his job. When radio station KEX received a copy of “Elvis’ Christmas Album” in…
