Quick Facts
- State
- Oregon
- County
- Baker County County
- Status
- Unknown Status
- Access
- Unknown Access
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
You don't stumble onto Chinatown by accident. That's rather the point. Old Town Chinatown is the official Chinatown of the northwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States.
Baker County County holds 16 documented ghost towns, including Auburn, Clarksville, Copperfield — Chinatown keeps them company on the map.
The story of Chinatown
Oregon's ghost towns are timber camps and high-desert gold strikes, preserved by dry air and long distances.
Old Town Chinatown is the official Chinatown of the northwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States. The Willamette River forms its eastern boundary, separating it from the Lloyd District and the Kerns and Buckman neighborhoods. It includes the Portland Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the Portland New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been referred to as the "skid row" of Portland.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Chinatown is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Chinatown is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Chinatown FAQs
Where is Chinatown located?
What county is Chinatown in?
What is the history of Chinatown?
What remains at Chinatown today?
Can you visit Chinatown?
Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Old Town Chinatown”), CC BY-SA.
