Oregon Electric trains first ran to Jefferson Street in January 1908, but this was a temporary station that served until March, when a more permanent depot was opened in the newly-built Henry-Mallory Building. This was a distinctive single-story triangular brick building located on the southwest half of the block bounded by Jefferson, Front, Columbia and Water streets, with the track and platform located on the diagonal side of the building. The Oregon Electric only leased their space in the building, and shared it with other tenants. A small freight depot was established on the north side of the tracks on land that the Oregon Electric owned.
Oregon Electric Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) E-1944, dated September 20, 1928, states “Make changes in Jefferson Street freight house so that it can be used as a passenger station. Present Jefferson Street station is not owned by the company.” This authorization seems to have been acted upon, as the c. 1930 photo below shows.
The Oregon Electric’s passenger terminal in the freight house, c. 1930. The tracks to the left of the building belong to the Southern Pacific. Photo: Portland City Archives. The original station building is located just to the right of this photo.
This smaller depot was used until passenger service was abandoned on May 17, 1933, acting as the city terminal after June 1931 when the line was cut back from the North Bank Depot.
It would seem that the freight house was demolished around 1938 when the Battleship Oregon Park was established in its place, while the original triangular depot building seems to have been knocked down around 1941 or 1942 to make way for Harbor Drive.
| Founding Company: | ‣ |
|---|---|
| Date Opened: | January 3, 1908 – Temporary depot |
| March 28, 1908 – Permanent depot in Henry-Mallory Building | |
| Date Closed: | May 17, 1933 – last day of passenger service |
| Date Demolished: | 1941, for construction of Harbor Drive. |