Mayor Sam Adams and the City's Black History Month Committee will host a reception to recognize the survivors who endured the Vanport City flood on May 30, 1948 as part of the City of Portland's celebration of February as Black History Month. The "Memorial Day Flood" destroyed in hours what was once Oregon's second largest city with more than 20,000 people. Nearly 30 percent of Vanport's residents during the flood were Black.
The reception will be held on Friday, February 19, 2010 at City Hall, 1221 SW Fourth Avenue, in the atrium from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event represents the first time in the 62 years since the flood that a Portland city official has recognized Vanport survivors. All Vanport flood survivors are encouraged to attend the event.
The sudden total destruction of the racially segregated community was seen as a catalyst for integration of other Portland neighborhoods and schools. Vanport City also offered new opportunities for African-Americans to serve as police officers and teachers, who taught both Black and White children together.
At the start of World War II, Portland did not have the local workforce necessary for the fast-paced ship building activities. Shipyard operator, Kaiser Company, recruited approximately 10,000 more shipyard workers, and encouraged Black people nationwide to come to Oregon.
To address the housing shortages this demand created, Vanport City was designed and built within months; its first residents moved into Vanport in January, 1943. Once completed, it was the largest housing complex in the United States. Vanport was often called the "Miracle City" and the "Negro project."
From 1941 to 1946, the Portland area's African-American population grew dramatically as 15,000 to 20,000 new Black residents moved into the area. The rise was especially striking as Portland's pre-war African-American population was near 1,800. The total population of Portland was estimated at 340,000 in 1942.
During February, City employees scheduled a number of lunch-hour events to highlight the contributions of African-Americans. In addition, about 100 Black students from Jefferson, Benson, Roosevelt and Grant high schools will visit City offices on February 16 to hear speakers and attend a college & career fair that includes recruiters from Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Portland State University and University of Portland.
City of Portland
1221 SW 4th Avenue
Portland OR
