The College That Would Not Die
A brief history of the Vanport Extension Center, a path-breaking college that reemerged from a devastating flood to create a legacy of resilience and higher education in Portland
A need for education
After the end of World War II, the G.I. Bill provided funds for returning veterans to attend college. Oregon's colleges and universities were already overcrowded and could not provide appropriate housing for veterans.
Vanport College is born
The Vanport Extension Center, known as Vanport College to its faculty and students, opened in 1946, taking advantage of vacant buildings in Vanport to hold classes and house students.
A College Comes to Housing (1946) by Produced by Leonard Delano. From 16mm print courtesy Oregon Historical SocietyThe Vanport Mosaic
Student housing in Vanport
The Veterans’ Village housed over 1,000 residents, including many young families.
Oral history excerpt: Clifford Cole, The U by The Slough (2018) by Vanport MosaicThe Vanport Mosaic
Student life
Watch this excerpt from an interview with Clifford Cole, Vanport College alumnus. This oral history is part of the Vanport Mosaic collection "Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents."
Vanport College Destroyed by The Vanport Flood (1948) by UnknownThe Vanport Mosaic
The Vanport flood
On May 30th, 1948, a devastating flood erased Vanport, killing at least 15 people. The college was destroyed and 18,500 Vanport residents were displaced.
Bill Lemman Oral History: Portland State University's Roots in Vanport (2021) by Vanport Mosaic and Produced by Brian Burke and James BurkeThe Vanport Mosaic
A tragic day
Watch this excerpt from an interview with Bill Lemman, Vanport College alumnus. His ties to the college's legacy continued after the flood. This oral history is part of the Vanport Mosaic collection "Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents."
Vanport College Memorial Plaque (1980) by unknownThe Vanport Mosaic
The college that would not die
After the flood, Vanport College refused to close, becoming known as “The college that would not die." The school was transferred to a downtown campus, eventually becoming Portland State University (PSU).
Portland State University Vanport Building Grand Opening (2021) by Portland State UniversityThe Vanport Mosaic
The legacy of Vanport College thrives in our memories
In 2021, PSU opened the new Vanport Building and invited the Vanport Mosaic to create a permanent tribute to the historic community.
Vanport Mosaic Installation "The Spirit of Vanport" (2021) by Alex Chiu, Brian Potter Design, Laura Lo Forti, Chisao Hata, and Shalanda SimsThe Vanport Mosaic
The spirit of Vanport lives on
In 2021, former Vanport residents were honored at the opening of the permanent installation at the PSU Vanport Building.
