Really still the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company in all but name, this company oversaw some major changes after many years of corporate stability. In September 1929, the company was sold to the Public Utility Holding Corporation of America after decades of being controlled by E. W. Clark & Co. of Philadelphia. The company again changed hands in March 1930, coming under the umbrella of the Central Public Service Corporation, based out of Chicago. Under this leadership, the company became known as the Pacific Northwest Public Service Company to reflect its holdings outside of the Portland metropolitan area (However, the unwieldy name was never popular with the public). In March 1933, a stock buyback scheme released the company from its eastern ownership and the PEPCO name was reinstated.
After 1930, city streetcar operations were handled by the Portland Traction Company, a subsidiary company, while the interurbans remained under the control of the parent company – first the Pacific Northwest Public Service Company, and then the revived PEPCO.
In April 1946, both divisions were sold to the San Francisco-based Portland Transit Company and PEPCO became a power utility only. In early 1948, the company was declared bankrupt and was dissolved. It was survived by its subsidiary, the Portland General Electric Company, which continues to provide power to Portland today.
| Important Dates: | April 1924 – Company changes name from PRL&P to PEPCO; operations and management remain largely the same. September 24, 1929 – Company is sold to the Public Utilities Holding Group. March 12, 1930 – Company becomes the Pacific Northwest Public Service Company after a vote of stockholders at annual meeting. August 20, 1930 – A Portland city council ordinance allows the formation of segregated subsidiary companies for city streetcars (the Portland Traction Company) and power (the Portland General Electric Company). Operation of interurban cars remained with the Pacific Northwest Public Service Company. March 15, 1933 – Company reverts back to PEPCO name after share buyback. April 1946 - Interurban division passes to the ownership of the Portland Transit Company; PEPCO is no longer in the transportation business. February 2, 1948 – Final dissolution of the company. | | --- | --- | | Preceded By: | ‣ | | Succeeded By: | ‣ ‣ |