Guide to the Sunnyside Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Also Known as Hawthorne

 

Sunnyside begins just 28 blocks east of the Willamette River. The lure of the neighborhood is accessibility, plenty of locally owned shops that keeps the neighborhood creative, and homes with character. Because of its Victorian architecture and bohemian culture, Hawthorne along with Belmont is often compared to San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district.

The landmark in the neighborhood is the Bagdad Theatre pictured on the left. Universal Studios spared little expense to build this ornate, balconied temple of entertainment in 1927. The Bagdad's interior is an attraction unto itself with barreled arches, ornate, wrought iron fixtures, brilliant-colored mosaic work, and painted and stenciled Mediterranean designs and mythical characters. The Bagdad has featured an incredible array of performances ranging from bawdy vaudeville stage shows to Technicolor extravaganzas. The Bagdad was the site of the premiere gala of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975. Today, with nearly 700 seats, the theater offers a grand, well-designed forum for multimedia presentations.

Portlanders refer to the area as simply "Hawthorne" and they have in mind the area that runs along SE Hawthorne Boulevard between 30th and 42nd Avenues. It is known for its young, liberal residents and pedestrian-friendly high density mixed-use development. Historically, the district has been populated by Generation X and hippies, and more recently, hipsters. It is a young and vibrant neighborhood thanks to having two-thirds of the residents as renters. They are also attracted to Sunnyside's access to public transportation and affordable older homes.

Two business areas are located in the neighborhood, one along Hawthorne Boulevard and the other along Belmont Street. All along Hawthorne, you will find eateries, coffeehouses, pubs, unique shops, bookstores, and the famous Bagdad Theatre & Pub. It is also has a large Fred Meyer supermarket, one of the few chain stories in the area. Visit the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association Web site for more information about the area.

Six blocks north of Hawthorne, Belmont Avenue is a historic corridor thick with boutiques and ethnic restaurants, centered around the neon lights of the Avalon Theatre located at 3451 SE Belmont Street. A dollar and a quarter gets you in. There are four screens; two will often carry first run flicks that cost a little more. Visit the Belmont Area Business Association Web site for more information about the area.

History of Sunnyside

Hawthorne Boulevard’s was originally held by John McLoughlin of the Hudson Bay Trading Co., the land was subsequently sold to James B. Stephens, who in 1850 designated Hawthorne (then titled U Street) the southernmost boundary of the new city of East Portland. The same year, Stephens established the Stark Street ferry to transport agricultural commodities from fertile eastern areas to the fledgling town of Portland and beyond. Used by farmers as a commercial transit route, U Street was only a small dirt road, extending as far as present day 39th Avenue.

During the California and Southern Oregon gold rush of 1849, Stephens’ s agricultural shipping monopoly made him a handsome profit. Outer east side Hawthorne Boulevard was slower to develop than the area closer to the Willamette River. One major event, the 1846 forest fire popularly known as the “Big Burn,” had a critical impact on this area’s development. The fire, starting at the base of Mt. Scott and spreading almost to the Columbia River, cleared much of the thick forest at a time when settlers had just begun to stake claims.1 The result was an inviting flat, grassy area that was perfectly suited for pioneering farmers.

In 1858, another important figure, Dr. J. C. Hawthorne, arrived in Portland to care for many of the county’s indigent patients. Impressed by Dr. Hawthorne’s devotion and eager to see his town of East Portland grow, Stephens donated seven acres of prime property to the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in 1862. The hospital was constructed on a tract bounded by present-day Hawthorne Boulevard, SE Taylor Street, SE 9th and SE 12th avenues. At this time, U Street became known as Asylum Avenue. Run by Dr. Hawthorne and Dr. A. M. Loryea, the hospital became a major employer for the small city; 18-20 percent of the population of East Portland worked there by 1873.

To read more about the history of the neighborhood, download the document Historic Context: Hawthorne Boulevard from SE 20th to SE 55th Avenues.

Origin of the Name Sunnyside and Hawthorne

The book, Oregon Geographic Names, states that a post office existed in the neighborhood in the 1890s. It was located in the vicinity of SE Belmont Street between SE 29th and SE 37th Avenues and it was called Sunnyview. Portlander Karen Der Vee believes the neighborhood name "Sunnyside" comes from the Sunnyside farm, so named because it's not in the shadow of the West Hills. Karen notes that a plaque on a building at 33rd and Belmont, across from Zupan's Market, reveals this information.

Hawthorne Boulevard was named after Dr. J.C. Hawthorne, the cofounder of Oregon's first mental hospital which was located on Hawthorne Boulevard south of the Sunnyside neighborhood. The road was originally named Asylum Avenue. In 1883 the Oregon State Hospital moved to its present location in Salem. The street was renamed in honor of Dr. Hawthorne. Residents didn't much are for the old name and they petition to change the name to 'Hawthorne.'

Sunnyside Home Styles

Many vintage homes are located in the Sunnyside area. The predominate styles are bungalows, four-squares, and Victorians. The area's housing styles are changing as townhomes and condos are beginning to appear. Developers can either buy a old home on a large lot and put up 2-3 townhomes or they buy two lots.

The 2000s have seen a number of smaller condo developments appearing in the neighborhood. Here's a list: SE Hawthorne Boulevard and 35th Avenue, SE 42nd Avenue, SE 38th Avenue, and SE 33rd Avenue.

The neighborhood has numerous multi-family homes in the neighborhood. they vary from small apartment building with 12-36 units in classic brick construction to plexes.

¹Sunnyside Home Prices

• Number of Homes Sold in Sunnyside—►  82 homes were sold in 2012 and 11%. 63 homes were sold in 2011 and 16% were distressed sales. 88 homes were sold in 2010 and 10% distressed properties sales.
• Median Price for Homes Sold in Sunnyside—►  $333,000 in 2012, $300,000 in 2011, $305,000 in 2010, $284,900 in 2009, $349,950 in 2008, and $358,750 in 2007.
• 1-Year Median Sales Price Change in Sunnyside—►  2012 the sales price change was 13%. 2011 the sales price change was -2%. 2010 the sales price change was 7%.
• 5-Year Median Sales Price Change in Sunnyside—►  2008 to  2012 the sales price change was -5%. 2007 to 2011 the sales price change was -18%. 2006 to 2010 the change was -17%.
• Portland Metro Area Median Home Price—► $235,000 in 2012, $221,000 in 2011, $239,900 in 2010, $247,000 in 2009, $278,000 in 2008, and $290,000 in 2007.
• Metro Area Average Home Price—►  $275,000 in 2012, $263,300 in 2011, $282,100 in 2010, $289,900 in 2009, $330,300 in 2008, and $342,000 in 2007.

Please be aware that the above figures are subject to error and are intended as guidelines only.

Sunnyside Homes for Sale

 

Parks in Sunnyside

The neighborhood does not have a park but two parks are within a few blocks on two sides of it and a community pool/sports field 10-12 blocks to the west of it.

The 195 acre Mt. Tabor Park is on the east side of the neighborhood and on the north side is the 28 acre Laurelhurst Park. The Buckman Pool along with the 12 acre Buckman Field (athletic field) is on the west side of Sunnyside.

Christmas on Peacock Lane

Since the 1920s, each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas. Mostly Tudors, the houses are adorned with not only beautiful sparkling lights, but also nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees and stunningly life-like replicas of Santa and Frosty.

They even have their own song, The Peacock Lane Song, written by Elsie Bush. It goes, "IT'S A SPE-CIAL TIME OF YEAR! WIN-TER NIGHTS AND CHRIST-MAS CHEER! NORTH WINDS BLOW THE WEA-THER VANE – HAVE YOU SEEN THE LIGHTS ON PEACOCK LANE . . ."

This is a very popular Portland tradition and the crowds can get quite thick. It is wise to park several blocks away and walk, rather than drive through the area. Better yet, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Walking in Sunnyside

Sunnyside is a "browser" heaven. Stroll along Hawthorne Boulevard and SE Belmont Street and peek into the shops along the way.

Explore the paths and historical features of Mount Tabor Park, home to reservoirs and a remnant volcanic cinder cone. The 2.1-mile walk combines stairs, closed roadways and unimproved paths as you climb and descent the summit. The payoff is the views. Click here to download the guide.

Walk Score helps you find a walkable place to live. Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of any address. Portland is the 12th most walkable city in the U.S. with a Walk Score of 66 and 57% of the residents have a Walk Score of 70 or above.

The Sunnyside neighborhood ranks six (6) out of 89 Portland neighborhoods. Below is a Walk Score for an address in the center of the neighborhood.

More About Sunnyside

• Neighborhood Association Web Site  Sunnyside.
• Location  Drive out of downtown on the Hawthorne Bridge and after a few blocks, you will be on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. When you come to SE 28th Avenue, Sunnyside will be off to your left.
• Topography  Flat with mature trees on properties. Parks are wooded.
• Sidewalks and Streets  The street pattern is grid with sidewalks for walking.
• Livability Study  93.8% of Sunnyside residents rated their neighborhood "good" or "very good."
• ²Drive Time to Downtown  10-11 minutes.
• Public Transportation  Four bus routes run through the neighborhood. see schedule and routes at the TriMet Web site. Transit Score provides a 0-100 rating indicating how well an address is served by public transportation. Ratings range from "Rider's Paradises" to areas with limited or no nearby public transportation.
• ³Census 2010 Demographics  Population: 7,354. Area: 382 acres. Population density: 19 persons per acre. Households: 3,894. Average size of household: 1.89 persons. Median household income: $54,713. Families with children: 20.5%. Home owners: 37%. Renters: 63%. Diversity: 10.8% non-Caucasian. More census data about Sunnyside at Portland Online.
• ⁴Crime Stats  12 violent crimes and crimes per 1,000 was five in 2012. 26 violent crimes in 2011 and total crimes per 1,000 people was 50. 20 violent crimes in 2010 and total crimes per 1,000 people was 47 . For the latest crime statistics for the Sunnyside neighborhood, click here.
• Sex Offenders  Click here for the State of Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System. After agreeing to the "Conditions of Use Statement" you will be redirected to a "Enter Search Criteria" page. Insert a zip code in the "Zip" field and click on the "Query" button. Sunnyside zip code(s): 97214, 97215.
• ⁵Shopping and Services  Number of supermarkets: 2. Number of health club: 1. number of coffee shops: 6. Sunnyside has two commercial areas - one on the north side called Belmont and the other on the south side called Hawthorne. The main business activity takes place from the hub at SE 39th Avenue and SE Hawthorne. You will find a Fred Meyer supermarket, bookstore, deli, boutiques, a movie theatre, and a few restaurants. In other words, just about everything you would need can be purchased in the neighborhood. New Seasons Market has a store at 41st and Hawthorne that they opened in late 2009. Click here to access a shopping guide/map of Hawthorne and click here for a shopping guide/map of Belmont.
• Eating Out  The Hawthorne area has some well-established eating spots along with coffee and pizza places. Three Doors Down at 1429 SE 37th Avenue and Bread and Ink at 3610 SE Hawthorne. Close by is Cup & Saucer and Chez Machin (the main attraction is the crêpes). Bridgeport Brewing at 3632 SE Hawthorne is the place for a cold one and a good burger. Also in the neighborhood are pizza shops, BBQ, and a fish sandwich eatery. Visit Willamette Weeks' Restaurant Guide by Neighborhood for a list of eating places in Sunnyside. The Belmont area has been adding new businesses in the last few years and now has 4-5 eating places.
• Public Library  The neighborhood's Belmont Library is located at 1038 S.E. 39th Avenue - between SE Yamhill and SE Taylor.
• Who lives in Sunnyside  Singles as 42 percent of the residents live in a one person household. Only 7.4% of the households have children. Close to two-thirds of the residents are under 39 years of age. The median age of a resident is 36.
• Cars in the Neighborhood  Pickups, SUVs, Chevys, Fords, and a few Hondas/Toyotas/Nissans. Luxury autos are rare.
• ⁶Biking  Quality is high. The neighborhood has five miles of bike lanes. Bicycle Trip Planner will map a route for you and −just provide a starting point address and your destination address.
• Schools  Elementary school: Sunnyside K-8 and Glencoe. Middle school: Sunnyside K-8. High school: Cleveland High School and Franklin High School. Belmont Academy is a private, non-affiliated school offering preschool and elementary school education.
• ⁷School Report Card Grades  Elementary schools: O. Middle school: S. High school: S. Click here for report card details.

Map of the Sunnyside Neighborhood

 

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Fly to the Sunnyside Neighborhood via Google Earth

Coordinates
45° 30′ 58.29″ N
122° 37′ 25.90″ W

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¹Real Estate Values  Data on real estate values provided by RMLS^tm. Distressed properties refer to the percentage of total homes sold that were short sales and bank-owned properties.

²Drive Time to Downtown  Estimated commuting time obtained from Yahoo Maps and Google Maps. Drive time was calculated from a central intersection in each neighborhood to Pioneer Courthouse Square during the morning peak commute time.

³Demographics Data   Numbers were obtained from Census 2010 and www.portlandmaps.com.

⁴Crime Statistics  Numbers on crime were obtained from Portland Police Bureau. Violent crimes are defined as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Crimes per 1,000 are based on reported incidents of violent crime, as well as burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.

⁵Shopping and Services  Numbers were determined from local directory listings and county/municipal library systems.

⁶Biking  Quality rating based on the 2007 Cycle Zone Analysis conducted by the City of Portland Office of Transportation. The six-tier ratings have been reduced to three levels: High, Fair, and Low.

⁷School Report Card Grades  Schools ratings from the Oregon Department of Education 2009-2010 performance assessment. "O" = Outstanding; "S" = Satisfactory; "I" = In Need of Improvement; NR = Not Rated.