SW Ankeny and 1st Ave
Ankeny Square is a small but important public space in downtown Portland. It sits near the historic Skidmore Fountain and is part of Portland’s Old Town district. The square is named after Captain George H. Ankeny, one of the city’s early business leaders who helped develop nearby buildings, including the New Market Theater.
In the early days of Portland, Ankeny Square was a lively meeting place. It was close to the Willamette River docks, where ships brought supplies and people to the city. Horse-drawn streetcars passed nearby, and the area was surrounded by cast-iron buildings, many of which still stand today as part of the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District.
Today, Ankeny Square continues to celebrate Portland’s history. The city has placed cast-iron artifacts in the square to remind visitors of the old buildings that once filled the area. These pieces include decorative columns, arches, and other metal details that were saved from historic structures. They are displayed so people can see examples of the beautiful craftsmanship that made Portland famous for its cast-iron architecture in the mid-late1800s.
Ankeny Square is a place where Portland’s past and present come together, reminding everyone how the city has grown while still honoring its roots.
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Discussion Questions:
How do we know the artifacts are cast iron?
Why would people save the artifacts?
Why were the buildings built of cast iron instead of wood?
Vocabulary: cast iron, craftsmanship, horse-drawn street cars, artifacts, architecture.
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Multicultural Studies, Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.17. Use a variety of historical sources including artifacts, pictures and documents to identify factual evidence. Social Science Analysis
Social Studies 3.19 Analyze different ways that people, other living things, and the environment might be affected by an event, issue, or problem. Social Science Analysis
Visual Arts VA.5. PR2.3 Compare and contrast how art exhibited in and outside of school in museums, galleries, and other venues, including virtual spaces, contributes to the community. Presenting-Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.