Buckman
Overview
Buckman is a dense, walkable Southeast Portland neighborhood that sits between the city's most vibrant commercial corridors — Hawthorne, Belmont, and Division — while maintaining a strong residential character of its own. It's one of Portland's oldest neighborhoods, with a rich history, beautiful parks, and a community that values walkability, sustainability, and local business.
History
Buckman is one of Portland's oldest neighborhoods, named for Cyrus Buckman, a city councilor. The area was developed in the 1880s and 1890s as a streetcar suburb, with the Buckman neighborhood association one of the oldest in Portland. The neighborhood is home to the historic Ladd's Addition, a planned residential development with a unique diagonal street layout and a central rose garden. Buckman's location between the Willamette River and the inner Southeast hills made it a desirable address for Portland's growing middle class. The neighborhood's fine-grained, walkable street grid and mixed-use corridors made it a model for Portland's 20-Minute Neighborhoods planning initiative.
Highlights
- Ladd's Addition — a unique historic district with diagonal streets and a central rose garden
- Buckman is between Hawthorne, Belmont, and Division — three of Portland's best dining strips
- Buckman Park — a 4-acre park with a playground and community garden
- Colonel Summers Park — a 7-acre park with a wading pool and sports fields
- The neighborhood is a model of Portland's walkable urban design
- Close to the Central Eastside Industrial District and the Willamette River bridges
Top Attractions
- Ladd's Addition — A planned historic district with a unique diagonal street grid, central rose garden, and Craftsman homes.
- Buckman Park — A 4-acre park with a playground, basketball court, and community garden.
- Colonel Summers Park — A 7-acre park with a wading pool, baseball fields, and the Portland Basque Club.
Parks & Green Spaces
🌲 Buckman Park
A 4-acre park with a playground, basketball court, and a vibrant community garden.
🌲 Colonel Summers Park
A 7-acre park with a wading pool, baseball fields, and the historic Portland Basque Club building.
🌲 Ladd's Addition Rose Garden
A diamond-shaped central garden with roses, trees, and benches in the heart of Ladd's Addition.
🌲 Sewallcrest Park
A 4-acre park with a wading pool, playground, and picnic area.
Things to Do
🌹 Ladd's Addition Tour
Explore the unique diagonal street layout and central rose garden of Portland's most famous planned neighborhood.
🍽️ Eat on Hawthorne or Division
Buckman sits between two of Portland's best dining corridors — Hawthorne and Division.
📚 Browse Powell's on Hawthorne
The Hawthorne branch of Powell's Books is in the heart of Buckman.
☕ Coffee at Heart or Either/Or
Grab a pour-over at Heart Coffee (Buckman) or Either/Or (Belmont).
🎬 Bagdad Theater
Catch a movie at the historic 1927 Bagdad Theater with beer and pizza.
🌳 Colonel Summers Park
Relax or play at this 7-acre park with a wading pool and sports fields.
☕ Coffee & Cafes
Heart Coffee Roasters
The Buckman outpost of Portland's third-wave coffee pioneer on SE 12th.
Puff Coffee
A tiny, beloved coffee bar on SE 11th specializing in expertly crafted espresso drinks.
🌙 Nightlife & Bars
Bagdad Theater & Pub
Historic theater with craft beer and pizza — a Buckman landmark since 1927.
Revolution Hall
A music venue and rooftop bar in a converted school building in Buckman.
🛍️ Shopping
- Ladd's Addition — Explore the unique diagonal street layout and central rose garden of Portland's most famous planned neighborhood.
- Powell's Books on Hawthorne — The beloved Hawthorne branch of Powell's is in the heart of Buckman.