Paul Knauls
Paul Knauls was born in Huntington, Arkansas in 1931. He joined the Air Force in 1949 just 17 days after graduating from high school. Knauls worked up to three jobs at a time in order to save up enough money to fulfill his goal of owning a business. In addition to working as a typewriter repairman, he also worked as a dishwasher in a hotel and ski instructor on weekends.[1] Knauls decided to pursue his dream of owning a nightclub in the Portland area due to the city's proximity to the skiing areas at Mt. Hood.[2][3] A photo mosaic[4] of Knauls was created for his 90th birthday honoring his life by community people who love, admire and appreciate him [5] His 95th birthday celebration was held at Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge. Knolls is known as the "mayor of Albina" or the "honorary mayor of Northeast Portland".[6][7]
Knauls owned the Cotton Club.[8] He has been featured in an episode of a documentary series about Black Oregon entrepreneurs.[9] Knauls supported the effort to install The Dream.[10][11] A building has been named after him and his wife.[12][13] The couple owned Geneva's Shear Perfection.[14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Paul Knauls". 2001-01-19. Archived from the original on 2001-01-19. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- ↑ Eggers, Kerry (6 July 2017). "IN CITY OF CHANGE, KNAULS REMAINS CONSTANT". Archived from the original on 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- ↑ Gies, Martha. "Paul and Geneva Knauls". Archived from the original on 2016-08-21.
- ↑ "PAUL KNAULS". mosaically.com. 2021-01-23. Archived from the original on 2021-06-19. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ↑ "NE Portland Mayor Paul Knauls". www.youtube.com. 2021-01-24. Archived from the original on 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ↑ Moore, Jenni (2026-02-25). "Celebrating Paul Knauls Sr. at 95". Street Roots. Archived from the original on 2026-03-11. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "Portland's 'Mayor of Albina' honored with 95th birthday celebration". KOIN.com. 2026-01-25. Archived from the original on 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "Wall-to-wall soul: A Portland neighborhood's bittersweet Black music history explored". opb. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ Gusinow, Sander (2023-09-01). "Black Oregon Entrepreneur Docuseries To Debut in Portland Sept. 1". Oregon Business. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "Kids inspired 'The Dream,' Paul Knauls made it real". KOIN.
- ↑ "Influential figures who have impacted Black history in Oregon, part 2". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2025-12-07. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "'Mayor of NE Portland' Honored With Affordable Housing Building". Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2026-03-11. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "New low-income housing complex in Northeast Portland is named after couple with long legacy". KGW. Archived from the original on 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "'This is an institution': Geneva's Shear Perfection Salon & Barbershop closes after 30 years". KGW. Archived from the original on 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
External links
[edit]- Celebrating Black community members that enrich Portland's history, City of Portland
- Paul Knauls: Wall to Wall Soul -Northeast Portland’s Incredibly Generous, Respected Businessman and Honorary Mayor, Eliot Neighborhood Association
- Oregon Experience | Paul Knauls, "Mayor of Northeast ..., OPB
- People, Places, Things: Paul Knauls, Portland, Oregon Humanities
- At Age 90, Paul Knauls Is Still the Honorary Mayor of Northeast Portland, Willamette Week
- Voices of Albina – Paul Knauls Sr. on YouTube, Oregon I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project