The Untold Story Of This Oregon City That Vanished Overnight
By Catherine Armstrong|Published December 31, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
The mighty Columbia River is a powerhouse. In addition to being the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia carries more water than any other river entering the Pacific Ocean. In 1948, the river flooded, causing havoc all along the Columbia River Basin, and completely wiping out Oregon’s second-largest city.
During World War II, shipbuilder Henry Kaiser established three ship building yards in the Portland area, but there was a massive housing shortage and nowhere for workers to live. Kaiserville, later named Vanport, was established in 1942. When it was built, Kaiserville was the largest housing project in the country.
The huge housing complex was built right in the middle of a flood plain, and was surrounded by three dikes and a railroad berm. The buildings were hastily constructed of wood and placed on wood foundations, and there was only one entrance to the city.
Home to as many as 40,000 residents, Vanport was the second-largest city in Oregon. After the war was over, many people moved away, but in May, 1948, the city still had around 18,500 residents.
During the spring of 1948, weather was particularly rainy, and an increased snow pack also contributed to widespread flooding along the Columbia River. Floods occurred all the way from the Canadian border, through Washington, and into Oregon.
By Memorial Day, Vanport residents were starting to get very nervous. They placed sandbags, and some moved their possessions from the main floor of their homes to the upper levels. However, on the morning of May 30th, the Portland Housing Authority assured residents that they were safe.
The devastation was heartbreaking. The flimsy homes were no match for raging flood waters, and many were lifted right off their foundations. Others simply exploded into shards of boards and shingles.
Many of the residents of Vanport lost everything they had. They moved elsewhere, and the town was largely forgotten. Delta Park, Portland International Raceway, and Heron Lakes Golf Course now sit where Vanport once thrived.
