One day I was browsing eBay looking at vintage postcards of Portland, Oregon when I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. There were all these postcards featuring an amusement park in Portland that I had never heard of, Council Crest Amusement Park. The following post is the result of me collecting those early postcards featuring the amusement park and writing about this attraction from Forgotten Portland.
While hundreds of Portlanders and tourists enjoy Council Crest Park in Portland every day, not everyone is aware of its history. A hundred years ago it was the site of an amusement park called the Council Crest Amusement Park. In an effort to increase ridership for their Portland Heights trolley line (it was eventually renamed the Council Crest line) the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company built an amusement park on top of Council Crest, which was then considered the highest point in Portland. Since the amusement park was served exclusively by the Portland Heights trolley line, the trolley line was very profitable for PRL&P.
Trolley service to Council Crest Park began in September 20, 1906 when the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company opened a new route to the summit of the hill. A year later the company built an amusement park on the site to increase ridership on the Portland Heights trolley line. PRL&P hired LaMarcus Thompson from Coney Island to build most of the amusements at the park.
LaMarcus Thompson was known as the “Father of the American Roller Coaster” after he opened the first roller coaster in American at Coney Island in 1884. He also invented the Scenic Railway concept which was intended to give riders a scenic view of the surrounding landscape. Besides building many of the amusements at the park, Thompson and his company built a roller coaster and a scenic railway ride for the Council Park Amusement Park which drew in large crowds. The amusement park featured a merry-go-round, a miniature railway, a Ferris wheel and other entertainments, served exclusively by the trolley line.
By 1929, competition from the newly opened Jantzen Beach Amusement Park was causing a downturn in attendance at the amusemnet park on Council Crest. Now that Portland Heights had electricity and cars were more abundant, ridership on the Portland Heights trolley line to Council Crest Amusement Park decreased significantly and the amusement park closed that year.
Streetcar service ended on August 9, 1949, with the abandonment of the uppermost section of the Council Crest streetcar line, the service being cut back to the intersection of Vista Avenue and Patton Road. Removal of the rails along the line’s private right-of-way began the next day, and a road was then built along the former rail-only right-of-way. The line had been one of the most famous and scenic trolley lines in North America. (The remainder of the Council Crest line was abandoned six months later, on February 26, 1950, with the closure of the city’s last three urban streetcar lines.). Today, the Council Crest neighborhood is served by TriMet Line 51, but the bus service does not reach Council Crest Park.
Visiting Council Crest Park Today
Visiting Council Crest Park in Portland today feels like stepping into a quiet overlook above the city. As Portland’s highest point, the park sits at about 1,073 feet in elevation and offers wide, unobstructed views of downtown, the Willamette River, and—on clear days—mountains like Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Rainier. It’s a favorite spot for sunset watchers, casual hikers, and anyone looking to escape the busier parks closer to the city center.
The park itself is relatively compact at around 44 acres, making it easy to explore without committing to a long hike. A paved loop path circles the summit, making it accessible for most visitors, while grassy areas provide space for picnics or simply relaxing. You’ll find benches positioned for scenic viewpoints, a historic stone observation area, restrooms, and open lawns that are popular for small gatherings. While it doesn’t have playgrounds or sports fields, its simplicity is part of the appeal—it’s more about the views and the atmosphere than activities.
Council Crest Park sees a steady flow of visitors year-round, with peak crowds during summer evenings and weekends. Thousands of people visit each month in the warmer seasons, especially when the skies are clear. Despite its popularity, it rarely feels overwhelming thanks to its open layout and spread-out viewing areas. Early mornings and weekdays tend to be the quietest times if you’re looking for a more peaceful experience.
Directions to Council Crest Park in Portland, Oregon
From downtown Portland (driving):
- Start on SW Broadway heading south.
- Turn right onto SW Market Street and continue uphill.
- Follow SW Market as it curves and becomes SW Vista Avenue.
- Stay on SW Vista for about 1.5 miles, passing through residential areas.
- Turn left onto SW Fairmount Boulevard.
- Continue on SW Fairmount for about 1 mile as it winds uphill.
- Follow signs for Council Crest and continue to the end of the road, where you’ll reach the park entrance and parking area.
Alternative route (from I-5):
- Take Exit 299B (Terwilliger Blvd).
- Merge onto SW Terwilliger Boulevard heading north.
- Turn left onto SW Fairmount Boulevard.
- Follow SW Fairmount uphill until it ends at the park.
Tips:
- Roads near the top are narrow and winding—drive slowly and watch for pedestrians.
- Parking is limited, especially at sunset, so consider arriving early or visiting on a weekday.
- GPS directions to “Council Crest Park” are generally accurate, but expect a few steep turns near the summit.