Walking tour highlights Foster Road’s colorful past – and present

Here’s a fun way to learn about this historic outer East Portland business district, and get some exercise at the same time …

Checking in another participant in a Foster Road Walking Tour expedition, is seasoned tour guide Tanya Lyn March.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Several of Portland Neighborhood Business Districts conduct “walking tours” of their central areas to acquaint people with the history of the area and introduce them to businesses in the area.

For the Foster Area Business Association, Venture Portland District Manager Jeff Lynot occasionally conducted such tours – until his paternity leave. Lynot contacted Tanya Lyn March of Slabtown Tours LLC to continue hosting the urban excursions along SE Foster Road.

Seasoned guide Tanya Lyn March enthusiastically welcomes guests to Foster Road Walking Tour trek.

“When Jeff asked me, I said ‘yes’ because I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to learn about a part of Portland,” March told East Portland News as a last-Saturday-of-the-month tour was gathering on September 28.

“During the tour, we highlight two interconnected themes: Streetcar and business-growth history,” March explained. “Back in the day, Foster Road was one of the widest developed streets in Portland, like a Parisian Boulevard.”

Foster Road Walking Tour guide Tanya Lyn March says Foster Road became known as the “widest street in Portland”.

Started as the “Old Clackamas Trail” going from eastern reaches of Johnson Creek to the Willamette River, it was a “farm to market” road – which is why Foster Road doesn’t follow the “European Grid” alignment of north-south and east-west street, she explained.

“Streetcars started running on Foster Road in 1892, so it was a very early line,” said March. “The line went east on SE Hawthorne to 50th Avenue; then south on 50th to connect with the Foster Road line – which went out to Lents, one of the first neighborhoods annexed into the City of Portland.”

Off goes this group on their Foster Road Walking Tour.

The tour also brings to light the information that Foster Road was – outside of downtown Portland itself – the metro area’s “theater district”, with numerous theaters lining the street.

“We also point out the businesses that are here today, and encourage guests to come patronize these many establishments, shops, and restaurants that are now here in the district,” March acknowledged.

The tours are on, rain or shine – so wear comfortable walking shoes for the hour and a half tour, and come dressed for the weather. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for kids.

To find out more, including where, when, and how to join a tour, and how to purchase tickets, go online – CLICK HERE.

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