Black History Month With BIKETOWN

Explore some of Portland's African-American history during Black History Month with this self-guided tour.

Take a ride on BIKETOWN and discover the early history and impact of African-American women in Portland. In Her Steps, a self-guided tour created by the Monumental Women Senior Capstone at PSU in 2013, takes a look at 15 African-American women activists, community leaders and places that shaped this incredible history from 1900-1940. Both routes are an easy ride on BIKETOWNpdx and explore locations in downtown, Old Town and North/Northeast Portland and can be completed in as little as 90 minutes though you may want to take your time.

women's black history portland

To follow along downtown, depart from the station at SW 18th & Jefferson and ride to stop 1 on the guide at 1517 SW 17th Ave (note the corrected house number). From there you can find each location as you like, ending at the Union Station station.

women's black history portland

The route in North/Northeast Portland begins at Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. Pick up a bike at the NE Wheeler & Multnomah station outside the Moda Center and make your way there. Follow the route as you like, ending at the NE MLK & Knott station.

And here's a cool slideshow with photos of some of the places on the tour as they look then and now to help you identify a few places along the route today.