Places of Character

Portland streets and landmarks gave their names to Simpson characters and locales

Southwest Terwilliger Boulevard  "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening says it's a coincidence, but Sideshow Bob Terwilliger, Krusty the Clown's murderous and felonious former sidekick and evil nemesis of the Simpson son, Bart, carries the name of the Southwest Portland parkway.

Northwest Quimby Street  Inspired the name of Diamond Joe Quimby, Springfield's corrupt, philandering mayor.

Northwest Flanders Street  Inspired the name of Ned Flanders, the Simpsons' annoying next-door neighbor.

Northwest Kearney Street  Source of name of Kearney, one of the schoolyard bullies who torments Bart.

North Van Houten Avenue  Milhouse Van Houten, Bart's best friend and foil, has the same name as this North Portland street. Again, Groening says it's a coincidence.

Montgomery Park  Used to name Montgomery Burns, the evil owner of the Springfield Nuclear Plant. Groening remembered how Lawrence Shlim, a childhood friend, saw what was then the Montgomery Ward sign from his bedroom window at night and thought that¹s where his prayers were heading.

Columbia River Gorge  The much larger Columbia River Gorge inspired the Springfield Gorge, known in Springfield as the state's second most beautiful.

Springfield, Oregon  Helped inspire the name of the Simpsons' hometown. Growing up in Portland, Groening thought Springfield, the Anderson family's hometown on TV's "Father Knows Best," was the Springfield in Oregon. Also chosen because of the name's ubiquity.