The neighborhood is named for late 19th century orchardist, and school board and city council member, Cyrus Buckman.

In the 19th Century the neighborhood was the center of the City of East Portland before it merged with the City of Portland on the west bank of the Willamette River.

Today, the historic center of East Portland is designated as the East Portland Grand Avenue Historic District.

The former Washington High School, built in 1924, is also in Buckman.

The neighborhood also includes Lone Fir Cemetery (1855), Colonel Summers Park (1921), Buckman Community Garden (1980), and much of the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade (opened 2001).