The city of the maple
Now home to over 12,000 residents, Gladstone, Oregon was founded in the late 1800s where the Clackamas and Willamette rivers meet. Waterfront parks and nearby natural areas draw in outdoor lovers to the city, while downtown Portland commuters are just a 20-minute drive to the city’s center.
The Pow-Wow tree, an expansive maple which remains an important symbol of the community, is still standing at 200 years old and was once the regular site for trade agreements, ceremonies and other events among the Chinook Native Americans that once lived here. This suburban city used to be the site of a grand Chautauqua assembly, an annual event that attracted thousands of people who arrived by rail, streetcar and boat to attend lectures and concerts.
Recreation on the Willamette River
While the houses here sit close together on quarter and half-acre lots, folks have easy access to hundreds of acres of public outdoor spaces. Swimming, fishing and boating are popular summertime activities among Gladstone locals, with riverfront parks like Dahl Beach, where visitors can lounge on the sand, and High Rocks Park, where adrenaline seekers can be found leaping into the water from the 20-foot rocks. Crossing to the Willamette River’s south side takes folks to Burnside Park and Maddax Woods, where hikers can walk along the wooded trails.
From fixer-uppers to water-front escapes
Homes in Gladstone are slightly more affordable than the average Portland home, with an average listing price of $504,000. Most houses were built between the 1920s and 1970s, with a few new builds popping up occasionally, and Cape Cods, bungalows and ranch-style houses being common among the architectural scene. Ranch-style fixer-uppers with 1,000 square feet cost around $350,000, while the market’s high end features riverfront craftsman-style homes with three bedrooms and over 2,500 square feet.
Gladstone School District
Gladstone School District serves the area’s families, with a B-plus overall Niche grade and an impressive A-minus rating on its teachers. Each of the district's schools earn a B or B-plus grade, starting with John Wetten Elementary School, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-1. Kraxberger Middle School has a dozen extracurricular offerings for students to consider, including clubs centered around Dungeons & Dragons, ping pong and yoga. To finish their K-12 career, kids attend Gladstone High School. The school hosts a wide selection of career and technical education courses, ranging from marketing and advanced business procedures to video production and engineering technology.
Pub fare and cold brews
While the community is largely residential, there are a handful of popular local restaurants in town, like Stanley’s Corner, where patrons can be found enjoying classic pub bites alongside refreshing brews and cocktails. In the mornings, locals can pick up their daily cup of Joe at The Brew on Portland Avenue. Residents can shop for groceries at the Safeway in town but other supermarkets such as Fred Meyer and Walmart are a short drive away on McLoughlin Boulevard or 82nd Drive.
Drive to downtown Portland
A short drive south along Mcgloughlin Boulevard takes locals to Oregon City, while driving north along Route 99 for 20 minutes will bring folks to all that downtown Portland has to offer.
Written By
Jessica Haddad
Photography Contributed By
John Othic
