National Guard mobilization. The first test in the nation of state guards’ preparedness was held in Oregon. Officers gave a surprise call to 6500 men of the Oregon National Guard in locations around the state and found 63% of them were ready and had reported to their designated location within an hour. Company H of the 162nd Infantry had assembled at the Portland Armory and were dispatched to take defensive positions on the Portland Harbor seawall on Harbor Drive. The buildings on the left are between Pine and Ash on what is now SW Naito Parkway, the electric store on the left is now a parking lot. The larger building next to it is Smith’s Block, built in 1872. Harbor Drive is the first freeway in the nation to be demolished and converted to be public park space, which is now Waterfront Park. April 20, 1955.
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