Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Crossroads lecturer tracks hydroelectric plants' historical role

Photos and story by James Hill

The creation of early hydroelectric facilities on Oregon rivers was key to the Portland area’s industrial development and history. Deb Schallert, Portland General Electric historic properties manager, will present “Powering Development: Hydroelectric History and PGE” at the monthly Crossroads Lecture at the Washington County Museum from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Admission is free for PCC faculty, students and staff. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, except major holidays.

Schallert’s PowerPoint presentation will focus on PGE’s hydroelectric properties and their contribution to Portland’s growth. Dam and power plant construction went hand-in-hand with early road and railway infrastructure development. Hydroelectric plants powered homes and streetcars, the major transportation of the late 19th and early 20th century. Portland’s 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition, with its 100,000 electric bulbs, marked the new century’s transition from steam to electric power and raised national awareness of Portland as a destination. At the time, Portland Railway, Light and Power Company – one of PGE’s predecessor companies – owned both the major transportation and electrical power facilities.

Schallert joined PGE in 1995 after 14 years of experience in parks and recreation management and administration. In addition to her current historic preservation duties, Schallert serves as project manager for licensing issues associated with lands, aesthetics and cultural resources. She is also PGE’s liaison with agencies, tribes and other stakeholders and serves as a strategic advisor for recreation. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Lewis and Clark College. Also, she has completed graduate work in law, facilitation, cultural resource management and historical preservation.