About St. Johns
In far North Portland, at the tip of a peninsula where the Willamette and Columbia Rivers meet, sits a slice of Portland history – the neighborhood of St. Johns. An early pioneer settlement established by James John in 1843, the small town of St. Johns was absorbed by Portland in 1915. Architecture here ranges from Ranches, Arts and Craft, to Cape Cods and the occasional Victorian.
Anchored to the terra firma of St. Johns and the NW Industrial district near Linnton, and spanning the Willamette River by steel cables is the Willamette Valley’s only suspension bridge. Featuring stunning gothic towers and designed by internationally renowned engineer David B. Steinman, the St. Johns Bridge connects the core of St. Johns to Portland’s own downtown in a short 12 minute drive.
A mix of historic third generation businesses and newer retail pair in a distinctly vintage, small town feel. The core of St. Johns is its downtown and features a post office, library, bakery, cafes, restaurants, grocery store and two movie theaters all within easy walking distance.
St. Johns is also home to the expansive Cathedral Park, named for the cathedral look of the bridge pier arches. Thought to be a Lewis and Clark landing site (there are only 14 in the Vancouver-Portland area), it features a large greenway where events like the Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival take place each year on its stage. Amenities also include a hiking trail, boat ramp, canoe launch, picnic area and an off-leash dog area.
Just west, as you cross the St. Johns Bridge, you’ll find the trailhead to Forest Park (the largest old-growth urban forest in the United States) and the Smith &Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, which provides a protected wildlife sanctuary and wetland idyllic for bird watching.
Call or email us for available listings in historic St. John’s.