The three fountains and open spaces that Lawrence Halprin designed in Portland in the 1960’s have been listed on the National Historic Register. These fountains, the Source, Lovejoy, and the Forecourt were part of the urban renewal efforts of the time. This urban renewal took out what was know as South Portland that was the old center of Jewish community of Portland (where you would find great bagels at Mosler’s Bakery and Neushim’s Pickles). This fountains mitigated this loss and also expressed, for the first time, that Portland was trying to do something new by placing the experience of people front and center in its urban renewal efforts. As a teenager, my friends and I enjoyed going to the fountain and being able to wade in these fountains, which reminded us of the streams and waterfalls of the surrounding mountains. The feeling was liberating, since we felt little connection the new buildings going up around it. For the Forecourt Fountain, the connection between the lobby of the Civic Auditorium and the fountain was the first time I experienced a successful interplay between outside/inside places that is one of the hallmarks of Pacific Northwest architecture.
This nomination is also another example of a building/place in Portland so significant that the 50 year waiting period was waved. The other project was Michael Grave’s Portland Building. On an intellectual level, I understand why the Portland Building is on the National Register, but still can’t help think that we haven’t done Portland any favors. With the Halprin nomination I have no such reservations and applaud this newest addition to the National Register for Oregon.