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The Historic Columbia River Highway News
Your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail--a world class adventure from Portland to The Dalles.
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1916 Groundbreaking at Vista House |
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Historic Highway Advisory Committee Meeting
The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 9th in the Hood River County Commission Chambers at 601 State Street from 10 am - 12:30; followed by a work session with the US Forest Service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
The meeting highlights include:
- Historic Highway State Trail Update
- Update on the "Hub" planning efforts in the Gorge
- 2016 Celebration Update
- Laughing Deva presentation of the "King of Roads" video
For more information on the Advisory Committee, contact Kristen Stallman.
To view the meeting agenda and read past meeting minutes please click here. |
Help Design Your Community's Hub:
Attend a Design Workshop
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Eastside Workshop
Hood River, Mosier and The Dalles
December 3, 2014
The Dalles City Hall Council Chambers
313 Court Street
The Dalles, Oregon
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Community Workshop
5:00 - 6:00
Presentation of Workshop Results
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Westside Workshop
Wood Village, Troutdale and Cascade Locks
December 10, 2014
The Troutdale House
411 E. Historic Columbia River Highway
Troutdale, Oregon
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Community Workshop
5:00 - 6:00
Presentation of Workshop Results
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Come and be a part of planning and designing a system of Gorge Hubs along the Historic Columbia River Highway.
The Gorge Hubs will welcome visitors along the Historic Highway to our communities whether they come by foot, by bike or by car.
- The Hubs may provide needed services such as bike tools, water, cell phone charging station and information about trails and services within our communities.
- The Hubs will showcase our communities and pay tribute to the Historic Highway.
If you have interests in cycling, hiking, history, business development, local art, or design we need your help. The Gorge Hub Coordinating Committee needs help planning and designing Hubs along the Historic Columbia River Highway including Wood Village, Troutdale, Cascade Locks, Hood River, Mosier and The Dalles.
Two design workshops are planned for December. At the eastside workshop we will lay out a vision for the Gorge Hubs in Hood River, Mosier and The Dalles. The westside workshop will focus on the cities of Wood Village, Troutdale and Cascade Locks. Even if you don't live in these communities your participation is welcomed.
Space is limited, so please RSVP here.
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Hear Ye! Hear Ye! A Prodigious Northwestern
Milepost is at Hand
June 7, 2016 marks the centennial of the Historic Columbia River Highway. This means everyone is hereby invited to take part in the historic celebrations. It is not only a time to recall past accomplishments and appreciate what has been preserved, but to encourage the best possible future for our beloved "King of Roads".
On June 7, 1916 the Columbia River Highway, hailed "America's great highway," was dedicated with dazzling affair that drew the attention of the nation and the world. On this memorable occasion, thousands headed east from Portland to Multnomah Falls by special train, or arrived in personal automobiles just to be a part of it. The speeches, chorale songs and an operatic aria sung to the parade of cars included an American Flag unfurled with an "electronic signal" by President Wilson at the White House and was combined with Portland's Rose Festival so Queen Muriel and her court along with all the officials could participate.
Later in the day, the celebration moved to Crown Point. "Such a view is beyond description," declared Governor Withycombe in 1916 at the future site of Vista House. He directed the attention of the celebrants to the beautiful panorama spreading for many miles beyond and up and down the river. "It is inspiring" he said. "It will do more than anything else to impress men and to inspire them to do helpful, constructive things."
Now, we are inspired and we might expect to ignite a season of celebratory events in 2016 of taking in the beauty of the Gorge, its world-class amenities, premier trails, parks, towns, rails, and the life giving river that draws the commerce of nations between two great states. Let us celebrate the living monument and to the achievements of Samuel Lancaster, our iconic Highway's chief engineer, his team, and their standard of excellence.
Clearly, we foresee nothing less than a united adventure undertaken in the spirit and enduring vision of the builders. Please join us as we plan, engineer, and build our celebration.
The 2016 Centennial Subcommittee has developed a logo, an invitation and is working to secure the help of a celebration coordinator. If you have some ideas or want help by sponsoring a celebration related event contact Kristen Stallman.
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"King of Roads" Documentary Preview
"King of Roads" is a preview of a feature-length documentary about the Historic Columbia River Highway, from its beginnings to the present that includes a gang of visionaries no less important than the original builders of the highway. The story begins in 1913 and continues through the present and future, as the highway changed but ultimately stayed true to this exhibition of scenic wonder that draws visitors from near and far.
The producers are in the process of raising funds to complete a more in-depth documentary of the highway. This is scheduled for release in conjunction with the highway's Centennial Celebration in June 2016.
The creative minds at Laughing Deva, a local production company www.laughingdeva.net, paired up with local landscape photographer, Peter Marbarch, to tell this incredible story using amazing images and words from the past and present visionaries of the Historic Highway. Check out the preview.
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New Sign Welcomes Visitors to Historic Highway and The Dalles
On October 27, 2014, a stunning fall day, the Eastern Gateway sign to the Historic Columbia River Highway at Chenoweth Creek in the City of The Dalles was dedicated. Mayor Steve Lawerence welcomed the crowd. Bob Bryant, ODOT Region 4 Manager, reminded the group that projects like this take vision. He thanked the members of the Historic Highway Advisory Committee for their passion and dedication to the Historic Highway.
Ernie Drapela, Historic Highway Advisory Committee Member, recalled that he rode this section of the highway only once 70 years ago and thanked the Friends of the Historic Highway for stepping up by providing the matching funds for this grant funded project. 
Jeanette Kloos, the Friends of the Historic Highway's fearless leader, explained that the match was raised through events such as annual the Gorge Ride which starts just down the road at the Gorge Discovery Center. Jeanette introduced Ann Morrow and Cindy Bernert-Coppola representing the Portland Wheelmen. Cindy explained that their organization was pleased to partner with the Friends of the Historic Highway.
The Portland Wheelmen look forward to future projects that will enhance the experience for cyclists using the old road. A beautiful bronze plaque recognizing the support of all the partners was unveiled. The sign will be a permanent reminder to the vision and partnerships that are necessary in remembering, restoring and reconnecting the Historic Highway through the Gorge.
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Rotary Wheel Returns Home
If you have been on the Historic Highway lately you may have noticed construction happening at Wahkeena Falls just west of Multnomah Falls. The US Forest Service (USFS) is working on a project to improve access to the viewpoint and restore its historic features. This $350,000 project was funded through the Federal Lands Access Program. The project includes an accessible trail to the viewpoint, rock wall restoration, paving and historic feature restoration.
An exciting component of this project is the reinstallation of the Rotary Wheel fountain that the Portland Rotary Club placed at Wahkeena Falls in August 1916 as a tribute to the highway. The original feature was damaged by a rockslide. In 1985, at the request of local Rotarians, the wheel reappeared, this time at Horsetail Falls as a piece of artwork, but without a new bowl. In 2007 an individual stole the wheel, but police later recovered it. The US Forest Service plans to reinstall the wheel at Wahkeena Falls, nearly a century after the Portland Rotary Club dedicated it.
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YOUR THOUGHTS HERE
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