PORTLAND PLACES: The Lovejoy Columns by Robert D. West

Hoyt Street Yard & Lovejoy Columns

The Lovejoy ramp was constructed in 1926 & 1927 to carry Lovejoy Street over the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway's Hoyt Street freight yard. Noted bridge engineer Gustav Lindenthal, who was involved in the design of a number of Portland bridges, designed part of the Lovejoy ramp.

Some of the concrete columns of the Lovejoy ramp were decorated with detailed artwork. Though technically graffiti, it was done with much more care then most taggers. The art was the work of Greek immigrant Tom E. Stefopoulos, who worked as a watchman for the SP&S railroad from 1948 to 1952, and painted on the columns during dull moments.

The roundhouse at the Hoyt Street Yard was where the city of Portland's steam locomotive #4449 was restored to operation to pull the American Freedom Train in 1976. The roundhouse was demolished by the 1980s.

This view shows part of the Hoyt Street Yard from the Lovejoy Ramp in 1995. The locomotives are sitting where the roundhouse once was. The yard closed in 1996, and the turntable was moved to Vancouver, where a pit remained from another turntable that had been removed.

The original Lovejoy ramp was demolished in 1999. A total of ten columns were preserved. These two columns are in the courtyard of the Elizabeth Lofts, on NW 10th Avenue between Everett & Flanders, about 6 blocks south of their original location. These photographs were taken on August 19, 2007.

THE

LOVEJOY

COLUMNS

From 1948 to 1952, Greek immigrant and artist Tom E. Stefopoulos created a series of paintings on the columns of the old Lovejoy Ramp. The two columns in this plaza bear six of Tom's original paintings, which will be restored by a professional conservator in the Spring and Summer of 2006. The photos you see here are full-scale images of the actual paintings underneath.

Prior to being redeveloped, much of what is now called the 'Pearl District' was a rail-yard. This rail-yard, spanned by the Lovejoy Ramp, was where Tom worked as a watchman for the SP&S Railroad. During idle moments Tom created these paintings. As he explained in a 1967 interview, "When trains stop at crossing, waiting for other trains to switch, I climb on top of boxcar next to painting, reach out like this, and paint. Sometimes, when I'm not finished, the train wait a minute- I paint- then climb down and wave her on."

-Next Steps-

As cultural treasures, these painted columns were saved from demolition - and now they need your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to aid the restoration effort. Additionally, we are actively seeking photographs of the paintings, especially those dating from 1948 through the 1970s.

For contact information, to donate, or to learn more about the project, visit

www.lovejoycolumns.info