John P. Hinckley, a son of a prominent Tucson, Arizona methodist preacher, began his first cold storage business in 1889, in Tucson. After an apparent falling out with his father, he moved his business to southeast Portland (then, "East Portland") in 1894.

Thanks in part to the large fishing industry in Portland, business thrived. He began spending a great deal of his time outside work on several volunteer causes, including helping start the Portland chapter of the Junior League in 1910, the "fourth in the nation, the first in the west".

As business boomed, he became aware of the school of Socialism while doing his own research on Helen Keller after reading an editorial in the Oregonian lashing out against the "anti-American, anti-capitalist" message of Keller's recent speaking tour. Hinckley immediately took to Socialism, as well as Keller's ideas on the subject.

By World War II, Hinckley had gained a reputation as a sympathizer to "Socialist ways". Hinckley Cold Storage increasingly employed European refugees and served as a meeting hall for several volunteer organizations who were thought to have strong anti-war sentiments.

By the early 1950's, Hinckley was approaching his eightieth birthday and rumors were circulating that his name might be brought up in local "Red Scare" trials. He pleaded with his only child, Helena Hinckley, to continue both his business and philanthropic causes. She grudgingly agreed. In 1961, John Hinckley died, his business barely breaking even and his name black-listed by local politics.

Helena Hinckley tried to keep true her word to her father. As a cost-saving measure, she moved the facilities to a smaller building outside of Portland's produce area. She began hiring almost exclusively refugees from eastern Europe and Russia, helping build the strong Slavic communities of southeast Portland. By the early 70's, business was failing, and Helena was becoming increasingly involved with the blossoming American "anarchist" movement and trying to keep Portland from becoming "yet another young city swept up in the false hopes of 'Flower Power'".

In 1985, Hinckley Cold Storage filed for bankruptcy, and in 1987, Helena disappeared from town, leaving only vague instruction for a friend to "keep the meetings going" at the now-empty building, which was still being used as an occasional meeting place for socialist and anarchist groups.

Despite near non-existent property management, sparse organization, and several lapses in activity, Hinckley Cold Storage continues to follow the foundation laid by John P. Hinckley to this day.