[3] The historic district is part of a larger area originally designated in 1850 as the East Portland Townsite.

In 1861 James B. Stephens platted the area into 200-foot by 200-foot blocks from a portion of his donation land claim.

By 1870, the Oregon Central Railroad included a branch through East Portland, and the community was incorporated in 1871.

[citation needed] The East Portland Grand Avenue Historic District includes a total of 74 properties, and 50 are designated either primary, secondary, or historic non-contributing.

[citation needed] A fourth designation, "non-contributing," denotes buildings constructed after 1930.