When the pole failed to appear and weeds sprouted in the opening, Dick Fagan, a columnist for The Oregon Journal, planted flowers in the hole and named it after his column in the paper, "Mill Ends" (a reference to leftover irregular pieces of wood at lumber mills).

[5] Fagan told this story of the park's origin: He looked out the window and spotted a leprechaun digging in the hole.

O'Toole dared the mayor to try to evict him and his followers from Mill Ends and threatened a leprechaun curse on him should he attempt to do so.

[7] According to legend, the leprechauns at Mill Ends Park are only visible to humans at midnight during a full moon on St. Patrick's Day -- and even then, only to children bearing four-leaf clovers as gifts.

[2] The small circle has featured many unusual items through the decades, including a swimming pool for butterflies—complete with diving board—a horseshoe, a fragment of the Journal building, and a miniature Ferris wheel, which was delivered by a full-size crane.

[5] In February 2006, the park was temporarily relocated during road construction to a planter outside the World Trade Center Portland, about 80 feet (24 m) from its permanent location.

It was returned to its home—now named SW Naito Parkway—on March 16, 2007, in true St. Patrick's Day style with the Royal Rosarians, bagpipers, and the Fagan family, including Dick's widow, Katherine, in attendance.

"[11] In December 2011, plastic army men figures and small signs were placed in Mill Ends as a tongue-in-cheek flash mob demonstration for Occupy Portland.