Antique Postcard 1908 Soldiers Monument Portland Oregon Bench People Hillsboro

Social History: Sent on May 8, 1908, this postcard is a fascinating record of early 20th-century life in the Pacific Northwest. Mailed from Hillsboro, Oregon, to Ord City, Nebraska, the sender, Leo Shirley, writes a personal note to Irma Shirley asking for news of Mabel. This simple exchange highlights the role postcards played as the "instant message" of the times, connecting families across the Great Plains and the West.

Scene: The people on the benches sit in Plaza Park (now Lownsdale Square). In the foreground and distance, park-goers in early 20th-century attire relax near the Soldiers' Monument, capturing the park's dual role as a solemn war memorial and a serene downtown refuge.

Era: Early 1900s (Divided Back)
Type: Lithograph
Publisher: Part of the high-quality U.S. 518 series. Printed in Germany.
Size: Standard 3.5 x 5.5"
Condition: The postmark and date are incredibly crisp. There is a light pencil price mark ("$3-") at the top center of the reverse, which can be left or carefully erased by the buyer. Light edge wear. 

This is an authentic vintage item. Use the zoom tool to inspect the photos for a detailed view of the condition.