Peninsula Park / Rose Garden

Designed by Emanuel L. Mische in 1912 as a French-style parterre, this is one of Portland's most beautiful formal rose gardens, and the only sunken rose garden in Oregon. The rose garden was the showplace of its time, with 300,000 visitors in the first year alone. The official Portland rose, named Mme. Caroline Testout, was cultivated in the garden. Once planted by the thousands along the streets of Portland, this rose earned Portland the name 'City of Roses.' In 1913, floral enthusiasts selected Peninsula Park as the location for an annual rose show. In 1917, Washington Park on Portland’s west side was selected as the site of the International Rose Test Garden and most of the rose show activities were moved there.  Other original design elements remain today - the ornamental fountain, street lamps, brick walkways, and the music pavilion. This octagonal bandstand overlooking the rose garden was used for World War I patriotic demonstrations and is now the site for many summer weddings and concerts. This wonderful gazebo-like structure is a National Heritage historical structure and was designated a Portland Historic Landmark in 1973. It is the last of its kind in Portland.