St. Johns is located in North Portland. It is bordered by Linnton, Cathedral Park, University Park, Portsmouth and Kenton neighborhoods.

St. Johns has, for the last few years, been considered the last affordable close-in Portland neighborhood. With the Lombard Plan bringing cute and quirky new storefronts to the St. Johns downtown stretch and the completion of the St. Johns Bridge renovation, prices are rising as the neighborhood gets hotter.

St. Johns still has a bit of a small town feel to it. The post office, coffee shops, breakfast places, restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores, and several parks, are all within walking distance for residents who live close to the downtown strip. St. Johns has a rich and interesting history. It seems St. Johns was established by James John (a kindly hermit) and the area is named after him. An 1843 pioneer settler of Linnton, James John, moved across the river and started St. Johns in about 1865. St. Johns became part of Portland in 1915, two years before Linnton joined the growing city. There use to be a lot of street cars here and many interesting old houses & buildings still remain.

St. John's is described by locals as "extremely friendly", "A town within a city..." "There seems to be quite an underground of artists and fellow travelers in these parts."

St. John's features all styles of Portland architecture, from ranches and cape codes, to the occasional Victorian home.

PARKS

St. John's is home to beautiful Cathedral Park. The aptly named park, directly below the bridge is home not only to the ?cathedral-like? arches of the bridge piers, but a boat ramp, a dog off-leash area, and a hiking trail. The park itself was created out of what was essentially wasteland under the bridge in the early 70s by St. Johns honorary mayor Howard Galbraith (per Portland Parks and recreation). There is a water pollution control lab that has a charming natural habitat wetland sanctuary where you may spot nutria and red winged blackbirds. The yearly St. Johns blues jazz festival is also held in Cathedral Park.

Forest Park has a trailhead on the west side of the St. Johns Bridge. You can walk across the bridge and be right in the forest. Forest Park is the largest old-growth urban forest in the United States. This trail area of the park features the most wildlife--you may spot some deer and other animals foraging quietly in the forest.

The Smith & Bybee Lakes wildlife sanctuary is tucked away in St. Johns, also. It's a protected wetland scenic area that is unique and beautiful--and a birdwatchers delight! The Portland Parks website indicates that most visitors to the lakes can find beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles, and one of the largest remaining populations of Western painted turtles in Oregon. The Columbia Slough has boat ramps where people take canoes and rafts for a relaxing ride. There is public art along the restored trail.

Pier Park is another great park that is like a little forest, and sometimes hosts classical music performances.


St. John Schools:

Elementary school: James John Elementary School
Middle school: George Middle School
High school: Roosevelt High School