A Dream of the 1890s, Portland

Tonight, we’ll read a non-fiction sleep story we call “A Dream of the 1890s in Portland” that we first aired back in 2020. It comes from excerpts from “Oregon, Washington And Alaska: Sights And Scenes for the Tourist” published in 1890 by E.L. Lomax. Our title is a reference to a sketch from the show “Portlandia”, as the creators behind Snoozecast, who are from New England, both lived in the Pacific Northwest in the past when we were younger and found it to be a dreamy place.

The author Edward Lloyd Lomax remains a somewhat enigmatic figure, with scant biographical information available. However, Lomax's legacy is particularly tied to this seminal travel guide we will read tonight. His contribution to travel literature is significant for its detailed first-hand descriptions, which served as valuable resources for travelers and enthusiasts of American frontiers.

Officially incorporated in 1851, Portland grew steadily, forming an identity as an industrial trading town. Up into the 1890s, Portland hosted the Pacific Northwest's largest port, only to be surpassed later by Seattle.

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