As the process to turn Park Block 5 (the surface lot between the Fox Tower and the Guild Theatre) into a city park moves slowly forward, left unsaid is what to name it when it's built. Tom Moyer, the theatre-magnate-turned-developer, who donated most of the money to buy the block, has said he doesn't want it named after him. An early proposal to name it after former Governor What's-His-Name (advanced before his fall from grace and Texas Pacific) isn't likely to get City approval.
Isaac's modest proposal: name it Baker Square (though that's geometrically incorrect), and honor two Portlanders of the past. First is George Baker, mayor of Portland 80 years ago, a showman and live-theatre impresario, our only mayor (so far) whose occupation had some relation to Mr. Moyer's. A plaque honoring Mayor Baker could go at the southwest corner of the block, near the Guild Theatre. Second is Doug Baker, longtime columnist for the Oregon Journal, whose first Portland stunt was to stand on a street corner at Fifth and Morrison in the 1950s and hand out dollar bills to passers-by. His behavior was considered so out of place in our conservative city that he was nearly arrested for creating a disturbance. Today we're more tolerant of handouts, and City Hall has even established two waiting lines for the needy: one in the Pearl District and the other in the South Waterfront.
This is your best stuff; when you tell us about the history of this fair city, and make it come alive! Good job!
Posted by: NASCAR Girl | July 28, 2004 at 12:28 PM
Um, I don't know about celebrating George Baker, he was quite corrupt and there are photos of him meeting with the leaders of the Portland Klavern of the KKK- see E. Kimbark MacColl.
Posted by: Morgan | April 24, 2005 at 08:47 PM