Thunderbird, Portland OR 1980s

When the Thunderbird Motel and Restaurant opened in Portland, Oregon, in May 1960, it created quite a stir.

There were 90 bedrooms, two dining rooms, a cocktail lounge with entertainment and a 40-foot swimming pool. The following year, an additional 100 rooms were added along with conference rooms, banqueting facilities and a coffee shop.

With panoramic views of the Willamette River, across from the Memorial Coliseum and five minutes from downtown Portland, it advertised itself as ‘Portland’s finest and friendliest.’

This stunning menu cover was for the restaurant and offered Thunderbird dinners – as you can see, it was a pretty fancy place and had extensive food and wine offerings.

In 1988 the motel became the Red Lion Inn Coliseum. We believe it is now a parking lot.