The neighborhood was once a prosperous suburb, known as Mount Tabor Villa (later abbreviated as Mt. Ta. Villa), before it voted to have Portland annex the area in 1906.
Montavilla has been home to a diverse community of people over the years. It was one of Oregon’s first Japanese farming communities, starting just after the turn of the 20th century — a community that was with others on the West Coast shipped off to internment camps during World War II. At one point, parts of Montavilla had the nickname Swedetown, and it also hosted many Italian families as well.
In recent years, after waves of gentrification, it was rated one of the hottest neighborhoods in America in 2017, by Lonely Planet. And yet the neighborhood located on the east side of Mount Tabor, bounded by Interstate 205 to the east and Interstate 84 to the north, and which straddles 82nd Avenue is a diverse place, both economically and ethnically. It’s one of the few Portland neighborhoods that has its own hyperlocal news site devoted entirely to it.
Southeast Taylor Street decked out for Halloween, 2022. (Rachel Monahan/City Cast Portland)
Three places to visit:
Sebastiano’s: If you like eggplant, get their Eggplant & Mozzarella Muffuletta sandwich with potato chips made and spiced on-site. They also created a tasty, meaty treat for a bike shop owner nearby: “What the Focaccia - Jim Jonke Edition.” Also go for nearly the best cannoli in the world, which is prepared while you wait even if you order ahead, and is best if eaten immediately on the spot.
Academy Theater: Originally opened in 1948 and renovated in 2006, the historic movie theater plays first and second runs for an affordable ticket price, plus it offers Flying Pie pizza by-the-slice at the concession and baked goods from the Bipartisan Cafe, among other treats.
Nightmare on Taylor Street: What Peacock Lane is to Christmas, Southeast Taylor Street is to Halloween. Stop in next Halloween for your trick-or-treating — they promise high-quality candy.
