The Story of Goose Hollow
This corner of Portland has always been a place of movement—of people, of ideas, of change
Goose Hollow has always reflected Portland’s evolution. From farmland and gulches to rail lines and printing presses to sports venues and residential streets, each phase built on the one before it. In 2025, Byline opened on this historic site—designed for today, grounded in the past.
Timeline: Goose Hollow Through the Years
1850s
Tanner Creek flows openly from the West Hills through what is now Goose Hollow, eventually emptying into Couch Lake.
1861
The Oregonian moves into its first dedicated building downtown, laying the foundation for its long-standing role in Portland’s media.
Late 1800s
Goose Hollow earns its name after a local journalist uses the phrase to describe disputes over free-roaming geese. The nickname becomes official.
1880s - 1900s
Streetcar lines connect Goose Hollow to downtown and other growing neighborhoods, transforming the area from farmland into a streetcar suburb.
1920
Industrial uses expand in Goose Hollow. Tanner Creek is diverted underground and covered as roads, rail, and buildings reshape the terrain.
1926
Civic Stadium is built just blocks from the Byline site, introducing a large-scale civic venue to the neighborhood.
1948
The Oregonian constructs a new printing press facility at 1320 SW Broadway, designed by architect Pietro Belluschi. The first edition is printed there on June 7, 1948.
Photo by Steve Morgan
1974
The Oregonian’s printing operations move from the paper’s headquarters downtown to the printing plant facility at SW 16th and Jefferson.
Photo by Steve Morgan
1975
The Portland Timbers soccer franchise launches and begins playing at Civic Stadium, deepening the area’s ties to citywide culture and sports.
Photo by Tony Betts
1990s - 2000s
Redevelopment and renewed interest in urban living bring new investment to Goose Hollow. The printing plant is eventually decommissioned and demolished in 2015.
Photo by EncMstr
2011
Civic Stadium is renamed Providence Park following major renovations.
Photo by Kingofthedead
2013
The Portland Thorns join the newly formed NWSL and begin play at Providence Park, drawing one of the largest fan bases in women’s professional soccer.
Photo by Ray Terrill
2025
Byline opens, marking a new chapter in Goose Hollow’s story—designed for modern living, rooted in Portland’s evolving history.
