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Alameda, Grant Park & Hollywood

 

The Alameda neighborhood is located in the northeast section of Portland. It was built on the land granted to William C. Bowering and Isabelle Bowering in 1859. In 1909, the city of Portland annexed the land from the Alameda Land Company.
Floods from the Columbia River Basin deposited silt, trees, and other debris to create the present-day Alameda Ridge. Most of the homes located on the Alameda Ridge have extraordinary views of the city of Portland, the West Hills, or Mount Hood. The ridge crest runs east to west with a dramatic, steep slope on the southern side and a much gentler grade running north. This neighborhood is often accessed from NE 33rd Avenue, a primary local thoroughfare located to the northeast. NE 42nd Avenue winds up a steeper section of the ridge connecting the Hollywood neighborhood below with the Alameda Ridge above.
Although home styles vary greatly along, many along the Ridge tend to be older homes built in the first half of the 20th century. Bungalows, colonial revival, and English Tudors can be found next to Spanish-style stucco and tile-roofed homes. Some of these residences have passed amongst the same family from one generation to the next for nearly 100 years.
Although the neighborhood houses a number of elderly residents, the quiet, tree-lined streets draw many couples and families seeking a quiet oasis within the confines of a vibrant city. Most homes are owner-occupied and within walking distance of the Beaumont Village coffee houses, shops, and restaurants.
Grant Park is a family-friendly neighborhood that is generally banded by NE Knott along the north, NE 47th along the east, NE Broadway on the south, and NE 26th in the west. The neighborhood is mainly residential with most homes built in the 1940s. As with Alameda, numerous styles of homes can be found in Grant Park with over 60% of homes owner-occupied versus rented.
Grant Park is the gem of the neighborhood, situated at the center of the community. The neighborhood and park were named in honor of past President Ulysses S. Grant who visited Portland three times during his lifetime – an incredibly rare feat in the time before air travel or reliable rail options. The 19-acre park includes basketball courts, playing fields, a dog off-leash area, a playground, walking paths, and a unique collection of bronze statues dedicated to young adult author Beverly Cleary. Cleary was a famous Grant Park resident and she set several of her best-loved stories here. During summertime, young children and families can be found enjoying the sunshine and splashing in the fountain near Cleary’s bronzes.
The Hollywood District, is one of the smallest neighborhoods in the city, encompassing less than a fifth of a mile. Originally named “Hollyrood”, it wasn’t given its screen-worthy name until 1926 after the historic Hollywood Theatre was built.

Although a mixed commercial and residential area, the neighborhood serves primarily as a shopping district to the adjacent neighborhoods of Grant Park and Laurelhurst, as well as to riders of the MAX Light Rail System.

Food & Entertainment
1845 NE 41st Ave, Portland, OR 97212
Sam’s Billiards has been a Hollywood District staple since 1962. From food and drinks to billiards and darts, Sam’s Billiards is the place to go for a fun night.
2014 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97213
If you are looking for Old World Charm and a comfortable place to gather, The moon & Sixpence is where you should head. You won’t find a single TV in the place but you will find a spacious patio, dartboard alcoves and delicious British-style food.

3728 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232

You will find Portland’s best pinball with killer food (HELLO FRESH CHURROS!) and craft cocktails (delicious and canned to order) at Wedgehead! They have a rotating collection of over 150 machines from all eras, and have 21 of them on the floor at any one time. Visit Thursdays for a Casual Co-op pinball event. Note: 21 & Over after 6pm.

1602 NE 40th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
If you are in the market for unique and unusual books, or have books you are wanting to sell, Crooked House is the place to go. When you are there, don’t forget to say hi to the number one employee Bruno, the bookstore cat.
Transportation
Bus service runs along NE Broadway, Fremont Street, 33rd Avenue, and Sandy Boulevard. TriMet’s MAX Light Rail has two lines that stop at the Hollywood Transit Center, located several blocks off Sandy Boulevard on NE 42nd. MAX’s Red line connects residents to the Portland International Airport in the east and Beaverton in the west. The Blue line begins in Hillsboro and runs through Portland out to Gresham. Driving from NE Portland to downtown Portland or the other delights of the city takes approximately 10 minutes. The airport is a 15-20 minute drive from most parts of these neighborhoods.
Schools
Neighborhood schools Alameda Elementary and Hollywood-Fernwood Elementary/Middle are consistently rated as exceptional by the Oregon Department of Education. Beaumont Middle School and Grant High School are regularly rated as strong.