Portland's neighbor to the south on the eastside is a gateway to Clackamas County — which sometimes is a universe away, for better or worse. But the divide is a little more complicated.
Did you know that part of Milwaukie is actually in Multnomah County? A handful of households on the city's northern edge are indeed Multnomah County residents.
The line between Portland and Milwaukie has become even more permeable since the Max Orange Line linked the two communities in 2015. The boundary hasn't been consistent, either — a few tracts of land along the Willamette River changed hands between the two cities just five years ago.
Milwaukie was named for Milwaukee, Wisc.. The two cities settled on their different spellings after varying for a while. (John Notarianni/City Cast Portland)
Founded in 1847 as a lumber and shipping town, Milwaukie became an industrial hub and then a suburban destination in the second half of the 20th century. Today, the city is home to a unique array of local businesses like Bob's Red Mill, Dave's Killer Bread, and Dark Horse Comics. In recent years, Milwaukie has begun to shed its working-class image and become desirable as a bedroom community: Last year, the median home price in Milwaukie was higher than in Portland proper.
There's plenty to do and see in Milwaukie today. The whole family can play games and catch a movie at the quirky Wunderland Milwaukie Cinema. It's the home base of several iconic local restaurant chains like Pietro's Pizza and Mike's Drive-In. The ultimate locals' tip, though, is to stop in for some pork fried rice and karaoke at Chan's Steakery where, if you're lucky, you might find a 2022 Karaoke World Championship finalist behind the bar!
This segment was contributed by City Cast Portland lead producer John Notarianni.
