For nearly eighty years, this iconic sign has been a true Portland landmark.
The Hawthorne bridge crosses the Willamette River and connects Portland's east and west sides. It is also the oldest operational vertical lift span bridge in the United States. The road crossing the bridge is called Hawthorne Blvd of course, but did you know that Hawthorne is named for Dr. J.C. Hawthorne, who was also founder of Oregon's first mental hospital (now Oregon State Hospital in Salem). Looking downstream on this clear day, just as the sun is starting to set, you can pick out three more Portland bridges. They are: The Morrison, Burnside, and Steel.
It's fitting that the A.C. Gilbert house - inventor of the Erector Set - is nearby. The Union Street RR Bridge looks like it could have been built from one of his sets.
