Hangin' Out in PDX's Old Town Chinatown - the Rising Stones Tale

Sit right smack dab in the heart of Portland, Oregon, where the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood is buzzin' with history and character. When you're sauntering about, it's tricky not to spot five stone pillars - the Rising Stones - that garner quite the attention, like a rock star enticing passersby. These mystifying monuments have become Portland's most spellbinding and puzzling landmarks, leaving many folks scratching their noggins. In 2008, American artist Christine Bourdette got a gig from the TriMet and the Regional Arts & Culture Council to cast some enchantment over the MAX Light Rail line.

Inspired by cairns, those stacked stones used as memorials or guidance markers, Bourdette cooked up the Rising Stones to dish out a yarn of humanity's evolution, from yesteryear to today. Each of the five Rising Stones differs in size; the tiniest stands at just 23 inches, a humble start of human civilization, while the hulk stands at 88 inches, hinting to how far we've progressed. Sure, some folks may fuss about these stone stacks impeding views or meddling with the paths for foot traffic, but they serve as sneaky barriers, pointing visitors towards the MAX Light Rail stations and the oodles of delights that Old Town Chinatown offers.

The Rising Stones still rattle the noggins of locals and tourists alike, leaving them curious about their authentic purpose. So why not give it a whirl yourself and let the Rising Stones help spark your own urban time travel adventure?

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons