Originally appeared on Herb Lester in 2013 and has been (somewhat) updated.

Parked in the middle of downtown Oregon City near Portland, this spaceship-like elevator from America’s mid-century is one of the country’s four remaining “vertical streets” in operation that continues to move the locals and sometime tourists up the steep cliffs of Oregon City.

It’s actually the second elevator in place – the first was a precarious, rickety wood elevator from 1912 that swayed in the wind and creaked as Oregon City’s more affluent citizens traveled from the bustling Main Street business district at the bottom of the cliffs to their homes overlooking the Willamette River. Once up at the top of the elevator, residents then had to cross an even more precarious wood bridge from the top of the elevator to edge of the cliff to safety.

Today’s elevator (built in the mid-1950s) sits at the end of 7^th Street (and the renovated deco bridge) around the corner from Main Street.

Explore downtown Oregon City
But, before you travel up the elevator, take some time to explore Oregon City’s Main Street. It’s the birthplace of Oregon and has all the elements of a typical U.S. city that was built in the mid-1800s. Western boom town, growth, streetcars, paper mill, and a healthy Main Street that supported its citizens. Then the post WWII crash as residents left downtowns to the comforts of the suburbs. The 80s and 90s weren’t kind to Oregon City, many of the historical buildings fell into disrepair and its downtown became desolate. Today, downtown has seen restaurants, coffeeshops, boutiques and taprooms flourish, yet it still retains a healthy blue-collar, small town vibe. It’s the perfect mix of the past, with enough of the present to keep one’s interest.

After your stroll down Main Street hang a turn down 7^th and you won’t miss the elevator. Walk through the hallway where you’ll find the elevator’s door. You’ll also notice the operator sitting in the corner – some are interested in speaking with you and others will not look up from their book.

Once you travel up to the top, you’ll want to take in the view of downtown Oregon City and surrounding Portland metro. On a clear day, one can see the tip of Mt. St. Helens and surrounding foothills. It’s a stunning view.

Walk along the path
Once at the top of the cliff, you have two options. Take the walking path to the historical district and explore architecturally significant houses from Oregon’s pioneers (many are now museums that are lovingly and obsessively run by volunteers) or walk straight on the path that travels along and above the Willamette River.

As you take that path, you can’t miss the abandoned paper mill and the surrounding Willamette Falls. That and the falls are currently on the books for renovation through The Willamette Falls Legacy Project, which would make Oregon City a serious destination, though the current abandoned paper mill is fascinating in its post-industrial rust and vastness.

The path then turns and winds and if you’re inclined can slip off into the surrounding neighborhoods. If you’re thirsty, keep walking. Lucky for us, the end of the path sits the Highland Stillhouse. With room and nooks throughout and an outdoor seating area that overlooks the falls, they serve pub grub, local pints and offer the largest selection of single-malt Scotches in the Portland metro area. Somehow, sipping on Scotch after soaking up the dusty recent past is a great way to cap off your walk.

If you still feel like a cold one or still have an apetite, work your way back down the elevator, down High then Main streets and head over to the corner of Washington and 14th where you’ll find not one but two food cart pods: Corner 14 and Oregon City Brewing. It’s bustling on the weekends. Cross the street to Tony’s Fish Market for killer fish and chips.

Oregon City is accessible from Portland. There’s a freeway (I-205) or highway (99e) that will get you there. Public transit is an option, though it’s a long haul. If you’re inclined, you can bike there on the Trolley Trail, through downtown Gladstone, and mostly off-street.

Originally appeared on Herb Lester in 2013 and has been (somewhat) updated.