1894 Portland Flood, Goodyear Rubber Co.

This unusual photo shows the interior of the Goodyear Rubber Company retail store, located on First Street, about two blocks from the Willamette River. In the 1894 flood, the river rose more than 30 feet, and flooded the downtown business district for days. Stores adapted, as shown in this view, by raising their merchandise to higher shelves, and many reopened for business while still flooded. This photo also gives us a window into the days when Goodyear Rubber had its own stores, carrying everything from piano covers to curry combs, as shown by the signs lining the walls. -- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.