Memorial Coliseum Book
@memcoliseumbook.bsky.social
Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: A Mid-Century Political Firestorm by Michael Orr about the site selection process in the 1950s. Coming April 14, 2026 via The History Press/Arcadia
happy Thanksgiving!
the Coliseum on Wednesday November 26, 2025
the Coliseum on Wednesday November 26, 2025
November 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
happy Thanksgiving!
the Coliseum on Wednesday November 26, 2025
the Coliseum on Wednesday November 26, 2025
Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: a Mid-Century Political Firestorm will be published by @arcadiapublishing.bsky.social April 14, 2026!
Can’t wait to have this out in the world. I’ve been working on it since January 2014!
Can’t wait to have this out in the world. I’ve been working on it since January 2014!
November 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: a Mid-Century Political Firestorm will be published by @arcadiapublishing.bsky.social April 14, 2026!
Can’t wait to have this out in the world. I’ve been working on it since January 2014!
Can’t wait to have this out in the world. I’ve been working on it since January 2014!
it’s official, Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: a Mid-Century Political Firestorm is in the production schedule at @arcadiapublishing.bsky.social! don’t have a specific date yet but expecting spring 2026. stay tuned
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
it’s official, Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: a Mid-Century Political Firestorm is in the production schedule at @arcadiapublishing.bsky.social! don’t have a specific date yet but expecting spring 2026. stay tuned
ten years ago today, October 16, 2015
October 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
ten years ago today, October 16, 2015
Seventy (70) years ago today Portland’s Exposition-Recreation Commission selected Delta Park as the site for what we now know as Memorial Coliseum. My book on the site selection process will be out in the spring. Until then, here’s a primer I wrote back in 2017.
mikeaorr.medium.com/portland-mem...
mikeaorr.medium.com/portland-mem...
October 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Seventy (70) years ago today Portland’s Exposition-Recreation Commission selected Delta Park as the site for what we now know as Memorial Coliseum. My book on the site selection process will be out in the spring. Until then, here’s a primer I wrote back in 2017.
mikeaorr.medium.com/portland-mem...
mikeaorr.medium.com/portland-mem...
never know what you’ll find at an archive
this is from a city councilman’s house party in 1953
this is from a city councilman’s house party in 1953
September 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
never know what you’ll find at an archive
this is from a city councilman’s house party in 1953
this is from a city councilman’s house party in 1953
always more to find
September 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM
always more to find
In October 1955, three of these men prevented Memorial Coliseum from being constructed at Delta Park: Councilmen Nate Boody (second left), Bill Bowes (second right), and Stanley Earl (right).
September 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
In October 1955, three of these men prevented Memorial Coliseum from being constructed at Delta Park: Councilmen Nate Boody (second left), Bill Bowes (second right), and Stanley Earl (right).
when the word ‘only’ cost Portlanders a year and a location west of the Willamette River
September 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
when the word ‘only’ cost Portlanders a year and a location west of the Willamette River
(January 30, 2025)
September 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
(January 30, 2025)
Help Put Portland Ahead!
via Portland City Archive, 1954
AD/22455
via Portland City Archive, 1954
AD/22455
September 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Help Put Portland Ahead!
via Portland City Archive, 1954
AD/22455
via Portland City Archive, 1954
AD/22455
Oregon Journal and Oregonian July 16, 1953. The first mention of an arena complex at the bridge site. Sneaky release of a plan by Councilman Nate Boody
September 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Oregon Journal and Oregonian July 16, 1953. The first mention of an arena complex at the bridge site. Sneaky release of a plan by Councilman Nate Boody
