What’s a River Pig?
Connecting Past and Present in the Pearl District.
River Pigs Wrangling a Log Jam. Photo by Red Rouse: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/photos/62816 #62816
NW 13th Avenue: A Reflection of Portland’s Past
Wandering down 13th Avenue in Portland's Pearl District is an opportunity to glimpse into Portland's rich history. The 13th Avenue Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and serves as a vibrant connection to the Pearl's gritty, industrial past. The district boasts twenty contributing buildings lining 13th Avenue that have preserved their cultural integrity and architectural qualities, which are essential to the area's history. This list of acclaimed structures includes the Pearl District Portfolio's Maddox Building (1906), 13th St. Lofts (1921), and both Davis ( 1912) and Johnson St. (1905) Downtown Self Storage.
The charm of 13th Avenue and the Pearl doesn't just come from the unique buildings and historical markers. It results from the vision and dedication of the local property and business owners, community members, and creative individuals in the Pearl District. Without them, the connection between the past and present would have been lost. We discovered a unique and little-known piece of Portland's history on 13th Avenue. One local business rose one level beyond the common lexicon, honoring a group of hardworking folks that made Portland what it is today—the River Pig Saloon.
The Maddox Building: Yesterday and today. Artists Vicktoria Mosijchuk and Anna Duvall and the Maddox mural.
What is a River Pig?
Logging in recent times is hard work, even with modern technology. The work was even more hazardous and demanding a century ago due to the lack of advanced infrastructure and machinery. Transporting the vast logs to the sawmill posed a particular challenge. The workers who "herded" the logs down rivers, utilizing the flow of the current to move the timber to the mills, were called River Pigs.
“If a river pig fell between the logs and drowned, his body might not turn up for days. Sometimes, his only grave marker was draping his boots on a tree limb overhanging the river.” - 7 Jobs We’re Glad Are Obsolete - Mentalfloss
River Pigs at work. Courtesy Oreg. Hist. Soc. Research Lib., 21760
Photos: The lumber industry, 1940 (Life Magazine), Maneuvering logs into rafts to float on the Umpqua River to a mill for processing, 1951 (Oregon State Archives)
Spikes, Poles, and Grit
It was treacherous work. Logs could snag on debris, rocks, or even each other, creating the aptly named logjam. Workers tasked with floating the rivers with the timber to ensure the wood moved smoothly had a difficult job divided into three roles. The Driver cleared stuck logs, the Sacking Crew followed behind most of the traffic to find logs left behind, and the Elite Jam rode at the front of the formation, trying to clear oncoming debris and steer around rocks. Each man carried a peavey, a spiked lever meant to manipulate the logs, and a 12-foot pole. The workers also wore cork boots outfitted with rows of spikes to prevent slipping off the wet logs (Source: Spokane Historical).
River Pigs died on the job. But with high risk came high reward. River Pigs were paid handsomely, much more than other lumberjacks, and according to the River Pig Saloon’s website, at the end of a risky day's work, they would frequently relax with several glasses of whiskey.
The Oregon Encyclopedia
Support Your Local Establishments!
Although the River Pigs have faded into the past, their legacy lives on in the many regional logging competitions and, locally, in a favorite Pearl District establishment. Special thanks to Ramzy Hattar, owner of the River Pig Saloon, Papa Chulo’s, and Pearl District Neighborhood Association board member.
Swing by the Pearl District’s River Pig Saloon at 529 NW 13th Ave, smack dab in the middle of the 13th Avenue Historic District, for some cool history and excellent locally-owned food and drink!
What is now NW 11th and Hoyt in the Pearl District (1917). Image: Oregon Historical Society
Did You Know?
Oregon's timber industry really took off during the railroad wars of the second half of the 19th century, when corporations competed to build railroads across the United States. This boom continued well into the 20th century.
“By 1938, Oregon was the nation’s leading producer of wood. To this day, Oregon produces more wood-building materials than any other state.” — World Forestry Center.
Rose Festival, June10, 1909
Portland's Many Monikers
Portland has more than a few fascinating nicknames that are still used today. One of the most popular is Stumptown, which originated in the 1850s when many trees were cut down to support the city's fast growth, leaving stumps behind. Interestingly, Stumptown is also the name of a well-known coffeehouse and adorns many a tee shirt. Another is Rose City, frequently amplified during Portland Trail Blazers and Timbers games. This name dates back to 1905, when the city celebrated the Lewis and Clark Centennial. At that time, Portland was known as the City of Roses because of the 200 miles of roses growing along its streets.
References:
*Mary Garrison, “The River Pigs of Logging,” Spokane Historical, accessed February 7, 2022, https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/587."National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.John M. Tess; Jeri S. Tess (September 1, 1986). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Portland Thirteenth Avenue Historic District". National Park Service.https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/587 (World Forestry Center)https://www.worldforestry.org/tracing-oregons-timber-culture/http://distilledpublishing.blogspot.com/2007/06/west-burnside-logging-and-skid-row.htmlPortland ArchivesVintage PortlandOregon Historical Society
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