PUGS New Space: A Brief History

[An historic image of the Italian Gardeners and Ranchers Association Market Building]

Beginning in January 2020, PUGS will host most (though surely not all!) of our courses, workshops, and community events in our new space, located under the east side of the Hawthorne Bridge.

The history of the space is a rich one. According to the National Register of Historic Places, here is a brief history of the Italian Gardeners and Ranchers Association Market Building:

This building was the home of the Italian Gardeners and Ranchers Association, which was instrumental in shaping the character of the east side's "produce row", a colorful and vital neighborhood within the larger Central Eastside Industrial District.

The Italian Gardeners and Ranchers Association was formed at the turn-of-the-century as a cooperative marketing effort by Italian produce peddlers and truck farmers. Italian immigration to Portland reached an all time high in the years between 1890 and 1910... The market also provided another major benefit by fostering a sense of community among newly arrived immigrants.

The building owners have held the building for decades, and began their own tenancy in the space with their custom furniture business. The building is also the current home of the IPRC (as a former IPRC Board member, Steph couldn’t be more thrilled!), Greenpeace, a bustling screenprinting shop, and more. The welcome has already been a warm one. We can’t wait to welcome you in January, if not before.