Guide to the Goose Hollow Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

According to Dr. Tracy Prince's book Portland's Goose Hollow, Goose Hollow is "one of Portland's oldest neighborhoods, Goose Hollow is steps from downtown and beloved for its quirky character, historic homes, spectacular views, and walkability. Over a century ago, the actual "hollow" was dramatically altered when the meandering Tanner Creek, in a deep gulch with several trestle bridge crossings, was diverted underground and infilled. The creek's presence is still felt in the ravine carved through the Tualatin Mountains (spanned by the Vista Bridge) and in the neighborhood's identity."

While the neighborhood has now less than half the housing stock it had thirty years ago, it remains one of the most densely populated parts of the city. Its attractiveness as a place to live has much to do with this association's insistence on maintaining a pedestrian environment and rebuilding a community focus lost in a period of dislocation and changing patterns of urbanization accompanying the development of urban freeways. Recent trends are toward rebuilding the neighborhood's housing stock with new units exceeding demolitions in the 1990's.

While the neighborhood has now less than half the housing stock it had thirty years ago, it remains one of the most densely populated parts of the city. Its attractiveness as a place to live has much to do with this association's insistence on maintaining a pedestrian environment and rebuilding a community focus lost in a period of dislocation and changing patterns of urbanization accompanying the development of urban freeways. Recent trends are toward rebuilding the neighborhood's housing stock with new units exceeding demolitions in the 1990's.

Goose Hollow is host to a number of community and regional institutions. Three of these neighborhood landmarks are highly visible: Lincoln High School, Multnomah Athletic Club, and Jeld Wen Field

The Westside MAX public art program added the vision of over 20 artists to the planning and design of the light-rail system, resulting in the installation of over 100 art elements along the Westside line. Here in Goose Hollow many residents, students and businesses contributed to the art found at the Civic Stadium, Kings Hill and Goose Hollow stations. View the art at the MAX Train Web site

History of Goose Hollow

The Goose Hollow Foothills League Neighborhood Association is host to five historic residential communities. These consist of an uptown area of older brick apartment houses and residential hotels, mixed with commercial and light industrial activities that we have called the Lownsdale area. Another area called Kings Hill once hosted the residences of Portland's turn of the century wealthier merchants, now partly infilled with higher density apartments and offices.

Goose Hollow itself, is the site of a creek, long since buried, that was the primary residence for a substantial goose population in the late nineteenth century. It is an outskirt of downtown that mixed commercial, residential, industrial, and highway commercial activities in an area that had been family farms and Portland suburbs before the automobile.

Gander Ridge and Vista Ridge are at the foot of Portland Heights and at the edge of the bowl that makes downtown Portland and Goose Hollow.

Tracy Prince's book, Portland's Goose Hollow (see above book cover), "uncovers the little-known history of one of Portland's oldest and most-loved neighborhoods. The book's foreword is written by legendary character, former mayor, and Goose Hollow resident Bud Clark. The book provides definitive answers to how Goose Hollow got its name and how Tanner Creek, long since buried. Stories are also told of the Great Plank Road, City Park's slow-moving landslide, and famous residents such as Daniel Lownsdale, C. E. S. Wood, Dr. Marie Equi, John Reed, and Bud Clark. Historic institutions such as Civic Stadium, Multnomah Athletic Club, Lincoln High School, and Washington Park are also featured."

Origin of the Name Goose Hollow

Goose Hollow was named after the geese that were allowed to roam freely throughout the neighborhood and in the 20 block long — 2 block wide — 50' deep Tanner Creek Gulch (now infilled). A gulch is also known as a hollow. Conflicts over the free-ranging geese were called Goose Wars.

Goose Hollow Home Styles

Goose Hollow has every type of home to include apartment buildings, condos, townhomes, and a few detached single-family homes (many of these are listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Some apartment buildings have been converted into condos and new condos were also built in the 2000s. The west side of the neighborhood has some beautiful historic large homes. Over 80 percent of the residents reside in an apartment and this number is increasing. Much of the apartment living is by students at Portland State University which is just across the I-405 freeway from Goose Hollow. The 2000 census: 67.1% of the households have one person per household.

The King's Hill Historic District is bounded by W. Burnside Street, SW Canyon Road, SW 21st Street and Washington Park. Within the 430 acre historic district are 105 buildings to include many homes. The styles of these homes include Late Victorian, late 19th and early 20th Century American Movements, and late 19th and 20th Century Revivals.

¹Goose Hollow Home Prices

• Number of Homes Sold in Goose Hollow—► 90 homes sold in 2012 and distressed property sales were 34%. 73 homes sold in 2011 and distressed properties sales were 32%.  66 homes sold in 2010 and distressed properties sales were 26%. Most homes sold in Goose Hollow are condos.
• Median Price for Homes Sold in Goose Hollow—► $229,450 in 2012, $200,000 in 2011, $312,500 in 2010, $282,500 in 2009, $292,000 in 2008, and $279,300 in 2007.
• 1-Year Median Sales Price Change in Goose Hollow—►  2011 to 2012 the change was 15%. 2010 to 2011 the change was -31%. 2009 to 2010 the change was 15%.
• 5-Year Median Sales Price Change in Goose Hollow—►  2008 to 2012 the change was -24%. 2007 to 2011 the change was -28%. 2006 to 2010 the change was 16%.
• 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.  

Homes for Sale in Goose Hollow

Parks and Health Clubs in Goose Hollow

Jeld-Wen Field (former PGE Park) is a sports facility located on the north edge of Goose Hollow. Jeld-Wen is home to Portland Timbers professional soccer team. The Timbers joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011. The former multi-purpose stadium was renovated in 2010-2011 for soccer and football at a cost of $31 million.

The stadium was originally built in 1926 and has undergone a number of transformations over the years. Not only is the stadium home to the Timbers, but a number of other teams and events call Jeld-Wen Field home. Portland State University plays its home football games at Jeld-Wen and Portland State women’s soccer program also plays a number of games at the stadium.

The Multnomah Club is a private health and social club located next to PGE Park and its facility is about 350,000 square feet. It has multiple swimming pools, gyms, and restaurants. Undoubtedly the premier health club in the metro area, the drawback is getting a membership into the club. They use a lottery system for adding new members.

Washington Park is located on the west edge of Goose Hollow and you will find many Goose Hollow residents running, hiking, and enjoying all of its attractions.

Goose Hollow has one acre of park land and open spaces according to Metro and the Portland Department of Parks and Recreation.

MAX Line Makes Living Easy in Goose Hollow

A benefit of living in Goose Hollow is the access to the MAX Light Rail trains. They comes rolling right through the neighborhood. Whether you commute to downtown or west to Beaverton or Hillsboro, it's a easy walk down the to a MAX stop from most parts of the neighborhood. If you work downtown, you could walk to work downtown or bike very easily. If you don't want to take the MAX or walk, there's bus service in the community.

Local Institutions: Goose Hollow Inn and Leaky Roof Pub & Grill

The name alone will entice you to stop in for a pint and sandwich: Leaky Roof! Here is what the Portland Monthly Magazine had to say about the pub: "If this modest beer house and eatery were any better camouflaged, even bloodhounds would have trouble sniffing it out. Tucked inside a bland yellow bungalow on SW Jefferson St, the Leaky Roof has been tracking Goose Hollow foot traffic since 1947. The cozy corner bar has a fair number of beers and assorted spirits, but the wall of whiskey draws the most attention."

You can lunch with former Portland Mayor Bud Clark at his Goose Hollow Inn. As mayor, "Bud" Clark created the nationally recognized 12-Point Homeless Plan, supported the growth of mass transit, including the MAX Light Rail line to Hillsboro, Oregon, aided downtown development, and initiated and led the campaign to build the Oregon Convention Center. Clark also sanctioned The Mayor's Ball, an annual charity event featuring independent musicians from all over the Northwest. It could be argued that The Mayor's Ball was instrumental in building a music scene that helped to fuel the Nineties' grunge movement.

The tavern owner served eight years (1985 - 1992) and now has returned to running his tavern called Goose Hollow Inn. It has a pleasant deck where you can drink away your frustrations with the rest of the City Hall roustabouts. The Hollow's Reuben sandwich is always a winner. The Goose Hollow is located at 1927 SW Jefferson Street.

Money Magazine: Goose Hollow is one of the Best Places to Retire

The October 2007 issue of Money Magazine named the Goose Hollow neighborhood as one of the best places to retire. The article states that, "Goose Hollow is walking distance to Washington Park, which is home to the Japanese Garden, the International Test Rose Garden and the Hoyt Arboretum. As one of the original residential areas in Portland, Goose Hollow is marked by turn-of-the-century homes."

Goose Hollow Video

Here's a video of life in Goose Hollow. It's a bit artsy with music in the background but very entertaining. It's fun getting a look at the neighborhood buildings and haunts.

 

Walking in Goose Hollow

Here are some walking tours in the downtown area of Portland:

• Public Art Walking Tour  The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) along with the Portland Oregon Visitors Association have a Public Art Walking Tour map/brochure – a colorful guide to nearly 100 public art pieces in downtown Portland and the near eastside. This free brochure is available at Portland-area visitor centers, or by calling RACC at (503) 823-5111. You can also download a copy by clicking here.
• Walking Tour to Pittock Mansion  This 2.8-mile walk begins in Northwest Portland and climbs some of the city's longest staircases through Westover Heights. It ends at the Pittock Mansion, a restored French Renaissance Revival chateau. The home, its grounds, and fabulous views are open to the public. Click here to download the guide.
• Walking Tour Nob Hill and the Pearl District  This 3.3-mile walk begins at PGE Park it takes you through historic neighborhoods to shops, galleries, restaurants, and theaters in the Pearl District and Nob Hill. 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 Goose Hollow neighborhood ranks eighth out of 88 Portland neighborhoods. Below is the Walk Score for Jeld-Wen Field in Goose Hollow.

More About Goose Hollow

• Neighborhood Association Web Site  Goose Hollow Foothills League.
• Location  West of downtown. When you cross I-405, you're in Goose Hollow. The streets are all "Southwest" and if they say "Northwest", you are in the Northwest District neighborhood.
• ²Drive Time to Downtown  Five to six minutes.
• Topography  Flat with mature trees in yards and parks. A slight rise in elevation going from east to west.
• Sidewalks and Streets  Goose Hollow has sidewalks for walking except for some winding roads in the south part of the neighborhood. Most of the streets have parked cars lining them.
• Livability Study  90.5% of Goose Hollow residents rated their neighborhood "good" or "very good." See Livability Study.
• Public Transportation  TriMet has 11 bus routes in Goose Hollow. The MAX light rail line rolls right through the center of the neighborhood (three stops). No streetcars in Goose Hollow. 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: 6,507. Area size: 279 acres. Average population density: 23 persons per acre (includes vacant spaces). Number of households: 4,778. Average size of household: 1.36 persons. Median household income: $48,376. Home owners percent: 20%. Renters percent: 80%. Diversity: 15.6% non-Caucasian. More census data about Goose Hollow at Portland Online.
• ⁴Crime Stats  21 violent crimes and crimes per 1,000 residents was seven in 2012. There were 22 violent crimes and total crimes per 1,000 residents was 49 in 2011. For the latest crime statistics for the Goose Hollow 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. Goose Hollow zip code(s): 97201, 97205, 97209.
• ⁵Shopping and Services  Number of supermarkets: 1. Number of health clubs: 1. Number of coffee shops: 6. These numbers are somewhat misleading as residents have access to numerous food markets just across West Burnside to include Fred Meyer, Zupan's, Trader Joe's on NW Glisan, Whole Foods closer to downtown, and City Market on NW 21st Avenue.
• Farmers Markets  The Wednesday market is held between SW Salmon and Main streets from 10 am-2 pm Wednesdays, May-October. The Saturday market is held at the South Park Blocks by Portland State University between SW Park and Montgomery streets from 8:30 am-2 pm Saturdays, March-October. Also from 9 am - 2 pm November-December. The Northwest District/Nob Hill market is between NW 19th Avenue and Everett Street, 3 pm-7 pm Thursdays, June-September. The Pioneer Square (SW Broadway & SW Morrison) market is held 10:00 am-2:00 pm on Mondays from June-September. More information at Portland Farmers Market.
• Eating Out  Most residents hike across Burnside to the Northwest District or downtown. If you want food in Goose Hollow you can get the best Reuben sandwich on the West Coast at the Goose Hollow Inn located at 1927 SW Jefferson Street. The Hotel deLuxe has a restaurant — called Gracie’s after comedian Gracie Allen — and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is located at 729 SW 15th Avenue. Most residents head across Burnside and dine in the Nob Hill neighborhood.
• Public Library  It is just a few blocks (801 SW 10th Avenue) to the Multnomah County Central Library in downtown Portland.
• Who Lives in Goose Hollow  Students from Portland State University who rent, young folks who want to be close to downtown, and empty nesters who like condo living. About two-thirds of the residents are under 40 years of age. The median age is 36.
• What They Drive in Goose Hollow  SUVs and luxury autos at the detached single-family homes and a mix of autos at apartments and condos. Many Portland State University students bike to class.
• ⁶Biking  Quality is high. Goose Hollow has four miles of bike lanes.
• What's in the Recycle Bin  Pinot Noir wine bottles and Tanqueray gin on the west side of the neighborhood. Beer bottles in the apartments houses (PSU students).
• Schools  Elementary schools: Chapman and Ainsworth. Middle school: East-West Sylvan. High school: Lincoln High School.
• ⁷School Report Card Grades  Elementary schools: O. Middle school: O. High school: I. Click here for report card details.

Map of the Goose Hollow Neighborhood

 

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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 2011-2012 performance assessment. "O" = Outstanding; "S" = Satisfactory; "I" = In Need of Improvement; NR = Not Rated.

 

View Goose Hollow Recently Sold Homes Goose Hollow Recently Sold Homes

Goose Hollow Boundaries   North: West Burnside Street. East: I-405 South: Going from east to west, SW Cardinell Drive to SW Jackson Street to SW Vista Avenue. West: Washington Park.   Map Showing Goose Hollow Boundaries Goose Hollow

To learn more about the Goose Hollow neighborhood visit Portland Maps. It will provide you with a list of businesses, demographic data, crime stats, parks, schools, aerial photos, maps, elevation, etc. All you need is a property address − use "1849 SW Salmon Street"

Learn More About the Goose Hollow Neighborhood

Goose Hollow Transit Map   Click to enlarge