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Reiger's Beer Tavern and Card Room

Gottlieb Reiger was born about 1873 in the province of Saratov, Russia (possibly in the colony of Balzer). He immigrated to the United States in late 1904 or 1905. He married Katherine (surname unknown) and they were living at 3945 Union Avenue near the intersection with Shaver Street by the early 1920s. Katherine died November 26, 1932. Gottlieb Reiger died in Portland on May 10, 1947 and he was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.

Below is an excerpt from Memories of Portland written by Conrad Brill that describes Gottlieb Reiger:

One of the most colorful of our folk in the area was Gottlieb Riegert [sic]. He lived in a house on Union Avenue between Failing and Shaver. He was usually thought of as one of our more notorious citizens. He had card rooms, gambling, moonshine and was always doing well because of his friendly nature and the fact that men and women seeking an evening out having a friendly drink or game of cards could come and enjoy themselves. He would sometimes loan money to widows or divorcees and it was said he could supply male or female relationships. Like the barber is always inquisitive of his customer, Riegert was with his, and because he sold moonshine there, he usually knew more of the personal side of many folks lives, than did the barber or the preacher.

According to the August 20, 1932 edition of The Oregonian, Gottlieb Reiger was arrested by the State Police for possession of five pints of whiskey. Arrests like this were common place during the years of Prohibition which ended in 1933.

Last updated July 26, 2021