Horse rings in Portland, Oregon facts for kids
Horse rings are small metal rings you can find on sidewalks in Portland, Oregon. They are like a peek into the past! Long ago, horses and horse-drawn carriages were the main way people traveled around the city. These rings were used to tie up horses while their owners went into shops or homes.
For many years, these rings were removed when sidewalks were fixed or built. But in the late 1970s, a resident complained about them disappearing. Now, the city of Portland helps protect these rings. They make sure the rings are put back whenever sidewalks are repaired.
Recently, people in Portland have started tying small model horses to these rings. This fun idea has made the rings more noticeable and helps everyone remember the city's past. A project called the "Horse Project" began in 2005. It encourages people to join in this unique urban art movement. These rings and the little art displays have even become a cool tourist attraction!
What Are Horse Rings?
Horse rings are usually made of iron or brass. They are leftovers from the 1800s. Back then, horses and carriages were the main way people got around. These rings let people tie their horses safely to the sidewalk while they were busy.
Before the late 1970s, many rings were taken out when sidewalks were rebuilt. This was often done for safety. But in 1978, a Portland resident spoke up about the rings vanishing. Connie McCready, who was a city leader at the time, said that homeowners could ask to have rings replaced.
Protecting Portland's History
Today, the city of Portland is dedicated to keeping these horse rings. They are put back in their original spots after any sidewalk or curb work. A city rule says the rings must be replaced exactly where they were before. Even old street names are often re-stamped into new concrete. The city's Bureau of Maintenance keeps track of the rings.
Portland isn't the only city that saves its horse rings. Officials in Oak Harbor, Washington, also decided to protect their last horse rings during a sidewalk project in 2011. This shows how important these small pieces of history are to communities.
The Fun Horse Project
In September 2005, a person named Scott Wayne Indiana started something special. He tied his first plastic toy horse to a horse ring in an area of Portland called the Pearl District. He wanted people to notice the rings and celebrate Portland's history. He said he hoped it would "shake people out of their routines."
Since then, the Horse Project has grown a lot! You can now find toy horses tied to rings all over the city, especially in east Portland. These little art displays have made people interact with each other. People have left small gifts for the horses, like hay, tiny lassoes, little riders, saddles, and even blankets. Sometimes, the horses get damaged or go missing, but new ones often appear.
The Horse Project has its own website. It encourages people to join in and even gives instructions on how to tie a horse. The project also welcomes donations and volunteers. While horses are the most common animals tied to the rings, you might also see pigs, dolls, or other toys.
Willamette Week, a local newspaper, even featured the Horse Project in its "Best of Portland" list in 2006. In 2007, The Oregonian newspaper mentioned the project when talking about Portland's "Keep Portland Weird" slogan. Even though Scott Wayne Indiana moved away in 2008, people still keep the project going. In 2011, a movie called It's a Ring Thing: The Portland Horse Project was shown. In 2012, The Oregonian shared a story about a couple who met because of a horse ring display!
The city's "Sustainable Stormwater Management" calendar in 2012 even called these displays "stormwater art." It said they help show that clean water is a good thing for the environment. These horse rings and the fun art on them have truly become a unique tourist attraction in Portland.
