Below. 1915 postcard reads on back, "This new bridge spanning the Columbia River, connecting Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington is now being constructed. The very latest type of bridges, which is the greatest of bridge engineering at this time is one of the interesting features of the new Pacific Highway." Courtesy of John Burpee
   The peninsula's isolation diminished as transportation systems developed, and automobiles replaced streetcars, trains and ferries. In 1915, peninsula communities were annexed into the city of Portland. Two years later, the completed Interstate Bridge spanned the Columbia, connecting north Portland with Vancouver, Washington. Hotels, restaurants and bars sprouted along present-day Denver Avenue, leading to Interstate Avenue.

   St. Johns residents worked hard to attain a bridge across the Willamette in 1931. According to Celia Burley, whose father spearheaded the bridge campaign, "St. Johns was to most voters from other city districts, a place way out at the end of nowhere! Why would we need a bridge?" For six months prior to the election, Mr. Burley and Harry Fassett drew attention to St. Johns by bringing a vaudeville show to every meeting place they could, from grange halls to churches. Burley and Fassett also gave political speeches and the Burley children sang, danced, and played instruments in the show. Perhaps as a result of their efforts, the bridge measure passed. Photo by Al Monner, Sunday Oregon Journal, February 2, 1941

I'd always heard of Portland, Maine. Where's Portland, Oregon? And during this particular time there was no I-5. When you crossed the bridge, you know, you were right there. And in those days they had the toll bridges. And you had to pay to cross the bridge and of course, there were two ways you could go, you could go down 99, which was Union Avenue. Or you could cross the interstate bridge there and you could go out Interstate Avenue. Of course that was the way you got to downtown Portland and other places. And the big sign, the big statue with Paul Bunyan which looked a lot better than it did now. Richard Kingsbury, Kenton resident in 1959