An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings that were lifted from their foundations by the water are visible among other debris in the lower left corner of the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. The interstate bridge and a railroad bridge are visible in the distance. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood with Mount St. Helens visible in the distance. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several flooded buildings and the flooded railway bridge are visible in the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings that were lifted from their foundations by the water are visible among other debris in the center of the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings that were lifted from their foundations by the water are visible floating among other debris in the the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

Agnes and Delores Skovgaard standing behind a picket fence in front of their apartment in Vanport, Oregon. They are sorting through personal items after residents were allowed back into Vanport following the Vanport flood. The caption on the photograph reads, “My Mother, Netta and Sister, Delores, trying to sort out any savable items from apartment.”

Agnes Skovgaard sorting through personal items after residents were allowed back into Vanport, Oregon following the Vanport flood. Caption on the image reads, “My mother sorting through personal items after the flood to see if anything was worth saving. Very little.”

Broadside printed in green text detailing the provisions of Civilian Exclusion Order No. 46 issued by General J. L. Dewitt. It is directed towards Japanese Americans living in Clackamas and eastern Multnomah Counties. The notice reads that "all persons of Japanese ancestry, both alien and non-alien, will be evacuated from [all of Clackamas County and Multnomah County east of 122nd Avenue] by 12 o'clock noon, P.W.T., May 12, 1942." The notice contains instructions for how Japanese Americans should report to the Civil Control Station located on the Gresham Fairgrounds "to receive further instructions" between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on either May 7th or May 8th, along with guidelines of what possessions they may or may not bring with them.

A photograph of the Columbia River Gorge from approximately Katani Rock. Trees are visible in the foreground and the landscape of the gorge is visible behind the trees.

A photograph of the Columbia Slough. Water, grass, trees, and fences are visible.

A photograph of the Columbia Slough. A dock is visible in the foreground as well as 8 goats and a man. The negative envelope reads, "Columbia Slough 8 goats (Alfred getting out of the way)."

A photograph of the Columbia Slough in high water. Water, grass, trees, and a fence submerged in the water are visible.

Photograph of Oregon Congressman Charles H. Martin (left) and Joseph K. Carson at a Democratic picnic on July 16, 1933. They are standing at a table, smiling at one another, and Carson is carving meat. The picnic was held at Viking Park on the Sandy River. The Oregon Journal published a front-page story about the picnic and a related photograph, image No. 371N1250, on Monday, July 17, 1933.

Dale Skovgaard (left) with his friend, Vincent, and dog Max, in front of their apartment building on Island Avenue in Vanport, Oregon.

Unidentified people climbing over piles of debris left behind after the flood waters retreated during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings lifted from their foundations by the flood waters are visible in the wreckage.

A photograph depicting damage done by the Vanport flood. Several unidentified people walk across rooftops and piled debris left after flood waters lifted buildings from their foundations. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

A view of damaged apartment buildings in Vanport, Oregon after the water receded from the Vanport flood. The caption on the photograph reads, “Slough in background. No more bridge from Victory Avenue across Bayou Slough to Island Avenue.”

A view of damaged apartment buildings in Vanport, Oregon after the water receded from the Vanport flood. The caption on the photograph reads, “Our apartment house.”

A photograph of the field of debris left after the Vanport flood.

Delores Skovgaard sorting through personal items after residents were allowed back into Vanport, Oregon following the Vanport flood. The caption on the photograph reads, “My sister Dee helping.”

Donnie Dill (left) and Dale Skovgaard (right) dressed in western style shirts and posing in front of a car in Vanport, Oregon on their way to the Smith Lake Riding Academy.

A photograph of dump trucks and tractors moving piles of sand for people to make sand bags during the Vanport flood. Several men with shovels stand to the side of the trucks waiting to return to work.

Photograph, looking toward the east, showing the roadway and arched railing of the East Multnomah Falls Viaduct on the Columbia River Highway. The Columbia River is at left.

Photograph of Eastwood Station, Mt. Hood Division, Baseline Road. A train track crosses a road, with a small wooden building on the ride side with “Eastwood” sign. A vehicle can be seen in the distance driving towards the camera.

An envelope containing commemorative photographs taken during the Vanport flood in 1948. The envelope is white with red lettering that reads, "10 Selected Snapshots 50C. Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River. May 30, 1948." Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River.

A postcard of rising flood water around Union Station during the Vanport flood. Several unidentified people working to fill sandbags are visible at the front of the building. A crowd of onlookers observe the flood waters from the railing of the Steel Bridge. The image caption reads, "Flood Waters Union Station " Portland, Ore. Christian V-12."