It’s a major port city straddling the Williamette River in northern Oregon, and home to dozens of exporters of ghost rock, gold, copper, and other fundaments. But it’s also considered the most dangerous port on the entire West Coast, earning nicknames like “The Unheavenly Gates” and “The Forbidden City.”

Portland is nothing if not accessible. From California, the primary land route is the Iron Dragon line via Sacramento. From the east, on can take the Iron Dragon line that runs from Illinois to Seattle, and then south through Portland. The Williamette River also offers easy access by ship or boat. If a cowpoke wants to travel overland by horseback the Sacramento Trail is a viable option.

Despite the steady shipping and trading, Portland remains a frontier town. Stumps and fallen trees lie strewn about, the roads are muddy mires, and during spring floods one might need a rowboat to reach the nearest saloon. Some outsiders refer to Portland as “Stumptown” or even “Mudville.”

Points of Interest

Barrel-Belly Saloon: So named for the massive, carved wooden Indian standing on the front porch, this place is popular with miners and ghost rock exporters, as well as woodsmen down from the Cascades for a taste of rotgut. AS for Chief Barrel-belly himself, he looks like your typical wooden Indian. The statue stands eight feet tall and as is as big around as a good-sized tree. He’s well-carved, wearing a war bonnet, and holding a bundle of cigars in one hand and a tomahawk in the other.
Persons of Note:
Lenora, Bartender, Her good years are starting to behind her but she still has some fire let in her eyes.

Erikson’s Saloon: This is a notorious saloon known for it s dangerous clientele and high murder rate. It says in business due to cheap, strong drinks and a no questions asked policy its customers enjoy,
Persons of Note:
Lars Erikson, Ower/Operator, He is a big man who ain’t afraid to throw a man out of his place even if they are pointing a pistol at him.

Good Goat Alehouse: This medium to upscale establishment is widely thought to offer the best selection of wines, spirits, and beers in the city. It also has live music and dancing, billiard tables, and the tender company of the opposite sex.

Iron Dragon Portland Rail Depot: The Iron Dragon is the sole railroad of Portland and has been maintaining its right-of-way since it laid track in Portland. The Depot is is a semi-fortified station with a number of Iron Dragon guard manning it at all times.

The Portland Chinatown: The neighborhood is contested between Warlord Kang and Xu Lieh. It is particularly hostile to outsiders, especially Anglos. Despite the rough conditions, Chinatown’s laundries, restaurants, and public hot spring baths continue to draw customers.
Persons of Note:
Xu Lieh, Triad Leader, He is a ruthless old bird who heads the Portland Triad.

The Old Church:

Pearne Building One of the Portland landmarks this building has a cast iron frame that survived the fire in 1873.

Poppleton Building: One of the landmarks of the city the structure stands three stories tall in downtown Portland. Except for cast iron columns and pilasters dating from 1867, the Poppleton building was largely destroyed by fire in 1873 and reconstructed using original ironwork in mid-1870s. A third floor and mansard roof only a few years ago.

R.M.A. Land Claims Office of Portland: This it the city’s Rockies office. While Portland is technically a Union city, the cartel has a lot pull when it comes to shipping especially of fundaments like ghost rock.

Union Block:

The Weekly Oregonian Offices: This is the city’s local newspaper. The paper largely prints fluff pieces and avoids taking sides in the Portland Triad, Iron Dragon, Union struggle for control over the city.

White Stag Block: The gothic Bickel Block Building was designed by Justus Krumbein. It has complex geometric patterns in its detailing and is an example of cast-iron architecture built in downtown Portland. The intricate cast-iron columns were made by Architectural Iron Works of San Francisco.

Rumors, Gossip, and Stories

• Hundreds of folks get shanghaied in Portland every year. Strangers in town are prime targets many of them wake up after a night of rice wine and women to find themselves chained on a boat to China.
• There used to be a mayor, and even a Union fort, but Kang’s people moved in. Within six months they’d seized control of the government.
• The Portland Triad seems to be flexing its muscle as of late. They have been putting pressure on the Iron Dragon Railroad with in the city.
• Over at the Erickson Saloon things keep going missing. Most folk think it is pickpockets and thieves, but some say they have see a woman wearing a lace head scarf who can pass straight through walls.

Adventures

Chief Barrel-Belly’s Revenge from Trail Guide: The Great Northwest page 77
Flashpoint from Trail Guide: The Great Northwest page 82
Shanghaied! from Trail Guide: The Great Northwest page 84