About Hawthorne

The east/west linear Hawthorne District is eclectic, diverse, vibrant and what some would call "booming." A true "Main Street" ecosystem, business and residents alike work at controlled growth with an eye to maintaining diversity. The District is "pedestrian friendly" with eclectic shops and gift stores, designer, retro and retread clothing, distinctive restaurants and eateries, taverns and nightclubs and neighborhood services.

Description of the surrounding neighborhoods

The Hawthorne Business District is adjacent to five neighborhoods and one industrial district, each with a separate identity and culture. At the river's edge is the Central Eastside Industrial District, home to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, numerous rail lines, warehouses, light industry and most importantly, about 15,000 jobs. Heading east on either side of the District are the Hosford Abnernathy Neighborhood, home to Ladd's Addition, an example of turn of the century urban planning, and Buckman Neighborhood, where many of its old houses are converted into apartments, preserving the look of the neighborhood and providing affordable housing.

Between SE 28th and 48th, Hawthorne connects with the Sunnyside and Richmond neighborhoods, two of the earliest subdivisions in Portland. Belmont Street, in Sunnyside, is developing according to an Action Plan created with neighborhood and business input by REACH Community Development. To the east is the Mount Tabor Neighborhood and its prominent volcano. More information about each neighborhood can be found in the "community" section of this site.

The Hawthorne District has been designated a Main Street under the Metro 2040 Regional Framework Plan. As such it will exhibit methods of increasing density in the inner city while maintaining a good standard of livability. New mixed use developments(commercial/residential) are an aspect of this plan. The City Bureau of Planning intends to examine Main Streets and other 2040 Design Types as it updates the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Central Eastside Industrial District has been designated an Industrial Sanctuary and is one of the few such business areas inside a city's limits in America. The zoning is maintained to provide a place for small, young companies to grow and provide about 15,000 family wage inner city jobs. One of CEID's arterial gateways is the Hawthorne Bridge. Finished in 1910, it is Portland's oldest highway bridge and is one of the oldest surviving lift bridges in the world. The Bridge underwent significant reconstruction in 2000.

Buckman is the most densely populated neighborhood and home to the highest concentration of social services in the city.

Hosford Abnernathy contains Ladd's Addition, a carefully planned residential area, home of stately elm trees, wide streets, and rose gardens. The streets radiate like spokes from small public gardens.

Sunnyside Neighborhood was so called to lure families to live here rather than in the shadows of the downtown west hills. At its center is Belmont Street, rapidly becoming the center of a pedestrian friendly community. Sunnyside has numerous examples of "Old Portland" style houses.

Richmond Neighborhood is the largest in area and population. At its center is Division, a commuter street specializing in service businesses. Division/Clinton Business Association serves Division and Clinton Streets.

Mt. Tabor is both a city park surrounding a dormant volcano and a residential neighborhood at the East end of the Hawthorne District. Some of the nicest houses in the area are in this section, many of them enjoying stunning mountain or city views.