Two men place stacks of old currency into an open furnace at the Federal Reserve Bank in Portland, Oregon. They are preparing to burn old currency (negative 6 of 9).

Two men handle several stacks of old currency piled on top of a cabinet at the Federal Reserve Bank in Portland, Oregon. Behind them is an open furnace. They are preparing to burn old currency (negative 1 of 9).

A damaged building and sidewalk after an explosion at the U.S. National Bank at S.E. Grand Avenue and S.E. Alder Street in Portland. A large hole has been blown into the sidewalk, with bank records scattered throughout the scene. A fire fighter stands at the edge of the hole holding a hose. A similar photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, March 21, 1951 (negative 5 of 17).

A damaged building after an explosion destroyed the basement and first floor of the U.S. National Bank at S.E. Grand Avenue and S.E. Alder Street in Portland. Police and firemen stand outside the building, looking the severely damaged sidewalk. The ground is littered with debris, while a damaged street light learns towards the left. A similar photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, March 21, 1951 (negative 7 of 17).

A barber stands in front of the damaged glass windows of a shop after an explosion destroyed the basement and first floor of the U.S. National Bank at S.E. Grand Avenue and S.E Alder Street in Portland. Cracks can be seen extending through the glass, as a group of women stand outside. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, March 21, 1951 (negative 10 of 17).

Three people stand in a damaged room at the U.S. National Bank (S.E. Grand Avenue and S.E. Alder Street), after an explosion destroyed the basement and first floor of the building. They stand on debris as they peer into a room, with banks books and records strewn across the floor. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, March 21, 1951 (negative 16 of 17).

People stand outside a building after an explosion at the U.S. National Bank at S.E. Grand Avenue and S.E. Alder Street in Portland. A crane can be seen at the right side of the frame, behind a group of fire fighters. A man in overalls is pointing. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, March 21, 1951 (negative 2 of 17).

A police officer stands in the aftermath of an explosion at the U.S. National Bank at S.E. Grand Avenue and S.E. Alder Street in Portland. Debris from the severely damaged building can be seen throughout the frame. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Wednesday, March 21, 1951 (negative 1 of 17).

People outside the West Slope Commercial Bank of Oregon, at 8848 S.W. Canyon Road, after a robbery. Police officers and detectives can be seen standing in front of the building, under a neon sign. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Tuesday, March 20, 1951 (negative 1 of 7).

The Hibernia Bank building (previously the Merchants National Bank) in Portland, at the corner of S.W. 4th Avenue and S.W. Washington Street. “Funland” is written on the corner of the building (negative 1 of 1).

A man, wearing a hat and long jacket, stands next to a desk at First National Bank in Portland, following a robbery. Another man is seated behind the desk, which is laden with papers, after the bank was threatened with an explosive device (negative 2 of 2).

Photograph showing a brick bank building on Union Avenue (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) and NE Russell Street. Next to the bank building is a sign for “Wilgus D. Smith Insurance Real Estate” (negative 14 of 20). Original sleeve title: Portland communities - Union Avenue.

Photograph showing the front door and exterior of the Mount Scott State Bank building at Southeast 63rd Avenue and Southeast Foster Road in Portland.

Photograph showing a three-story brick building at East Washington and Grand Avenue (now Southeast Washington Street and Southeast Grand Avenue) in Portland. On the ground floor of the building is the Bank of East Portland. At the top of the building are the words “NEWHALL 1906.”

Photograph showing the exterior of the Bank of British Columbia building at Front and Ankeny streets in downtown Portland. The building is three stories and has arched windows. Wooden barriers block off the front of the building, and a crane is parked at left. A cropped version of this photograph was part of a two-page spread in the Oregon Journal’s Sunday magazine on February 26, 1928. The spread, on Pages 4 and 5, was devoted to a story by Wallace S. Wharton about the history of the Portland waterfront and the buildings on First and Front streets. Wharton reflected on the changes that would occur as a result of the construction, then in progress, of Portland’s west-side harbor wall and redevelopment of the waterfront. He noted that many of the “stately old buildings along First and Front streets face destruction, or remodeling to such an extent that the reminiscent charm of their present environment will be lost.” Accompanying the story were 15 photos, primarily of buildings in the area. Across the top of the spread was the headline “IN THE PATH OF CIVIC PROGRESS — STRUCTURES OF ANOTHER DAY.” Below the headline on Page 4 was the subheading “Splendid Bits of Old Architecture Once Called Equal of Finest in Gotham of the Same Period.” Below the headline on Page 5 was the subheading “Waterfront Development Gives New Significance to Portland’s Old-Time Business Center.” This photograph had the following caption: “Bank of British Columbia bldg Front & Ankeny, Portland’s second bank.” See related image Nos. 371N5379, 371N5380, 371N5384, 371N5385, 371N5397, 371N5418, and 371N5857, which were published on the same spread.

Photograph showing the Northwestern National Bank Building and the intersection of Sixth and Morrison streets (now Southwest 6th Avenue and Southwest Morrison Street) in Portland. The view is from the southeast side of the intersection. The building is now the American Bank Building. See related image No. 373G0452.

Photograph showing the Northwestern National Bank Building and the intersection of 6th and Morrison streets (now Southwest 6th Avenue and Southwest Morrison Street) in Portland. The view is from the southeast side of the intersection. The building is now the American Bank Building. See related image No. 373G0453.

Photograph showing a two-story brick building at the corner of Fourth and Stark streets (now Southwest Fourth Avenue and Southwest Stark Street) in Portland. On the ground floor is the Peoples Bank; on the upper floor is the Northern Livestock Loan Company. Parked cars are lining the street next to the building. A nearly identical photograph, image No. 373G0442, and image No. 373G0451 were published on Page 1, Section 3, of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 25, 1920, under the headline “Bank Has Long Lease on Gordon Building.” The similar photograph had the following caption: “Structure at Fourth and Stark streets receives finishing touches and tenants celebrate opening. Above—New Gordon building.”

Photograph showing a two-story brick building at the corner of Fourth and Stark streets (now Southwest Fourth Avenue and Southwest Stark Street) in Portland. On the ground floor is the Peoples Bank; on the upper floor is the Northern Livestock Loan Company. Parked cars are lining the street next to the building. A cropped version of this photograph was one of two, along with image No. 373G0451, was published on Page 1, Section 3, of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 25, 1920, under the headline “Bank Has Long Lease on Gordon Building.” The photograph had the following caption: “Structure at Fourth and Stark streets receives finishing touches and tenants celebrate opening. Above—New Gordon building.” Also see related image No. 373G0443.

Photograph showing the front of the United States National Bank building in Portland and cars passing on the street. The photograph was taken from the corner of 6th and Stark streets, now Southwest 6th Avenue and Southwest Stark Street. The number 7 is written on the negative and is partially visible at the top of the image.