City of Portland Symbols
City Flower - "The City of Roses"
Most residents of Portland, if asked, would name the rose as the
Portland city flower, consider "The City of Roses" as an
official city name, and would be surprised to know that no City Council
Resolution has ever been passed to make it so.
Charles Paul Keyser (Portland Parks Superintendent 1917-1950) stated
that Portland was "christened the City of Roses by visitors to
an Episcopal Church convention which was held in the city in 1888
when the Portland Rose Society was formed. In 1889 Portland's first
annual Rose Show was held and from 1904 through 1906 the Portland
Rose Society sponsored a Fiesta along with its annual rose show.
In a 1905 address at the Lewis and Clark Exposition, Mayor Harry
Lane suggested that Portland needed a "festival of roses."
Two years later, in 1907, the first Rose Festival was held.
It seems that the City Council believes that the title "City
of Roses" is well enough established not to need its own Resolution.
The Resolutions establishing both the City Bird (Great Blue Heron)
and the City Song (Portlandia) begin with the words: "WHEREAS,
Portland, the City of Roses
."
City Bird - Great Blue Heron was named the Portland City
bird by passage of Resolution
No. 34215 in 1986.
City Slogan - "The City that Works"
In 1995 the Portland City Council selected "The City that Works"
as a new slogan for City government. The slogan resulted from a contest
among City workers for suggestions to make the city more efficient
and customer-service oriented. Parks Bureau community relations director
came up with the new slogan to go on all city vehicles. The slogan,
"The City that Works," is accompanied by the city/county
information and referral line number, 503-823-4000, and the name of
the bureau that operates the vehicle.
"Having our new slogan 'The City that Works' on all our dump
trucks, etc., lets the citizens know that the city cares about what
they think and wants to hear from them," said Mayor Vera Katz.
"And that's whether it's just a question of why we're doing something,
a complaint, or a compliment for a job well done."
City Song - "Portlandia"
Resolution 34547, adopted by the Portland City Council on May 3,
1989, established "Portlandia," by Marc C. Miller, as the
Portland City Song. The lyrics are as follows:
PORTLANDIA
Old town, downtown, fountains and lights,
The Willamette reflecting our city at night
From bridges, nightspots in neighborhoods, too.
Together, we grow in love and respect for you.
Hours, days, weeks at a time,
Holiday weekends, time to unwind.
From winter's reign through summer's fall,
The lady of seasons belongs to us all.
Portlandia
Gazing upon the busy streets,
Reflecting the mountain's history
Through her eyes,
She fills me with pride.
City Flag - 
City Seal - 
Liisa Fagerlund
Former City Recorder
September 21, 2001
For additional information contact:
City of Portland Stanley Parr Archives and Records Center
Location: 9360 N. Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97213
Hours: 10 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday (Appointments
are strongly recommended)
E-mail: sparc@ci.portland.or.us
Phone: (503)823-4631
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