Robert W. Hadlow, Columbia River Highway Historic District, National Historic Landmark Nomination

Many of the restaurants and other business structures that were constructed along the CRH in the 1920s and 1930s, during the road’s heyday, have vanished. Gasoline stations, motor courts, and hot dog stands, appeared along the highway despite the protests of proponents who believed that the CRH was becoming too commercialized. The loss of these structures, ironically, has helped to restore much of the waterfalls section to the uncluttered setting that it possessed in its early years. Of those buildings remaining, some continue to serve their original purpose. Others, that originally served meals to travelers, but for many years functioned as private homes, once again offer hospitality as bed and breakfast establishments. Those inns and country restaurants that remain alongside the CRH continue to contribute to the highway’s original setting.

Lyn Topinka, The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey

In the early days of the Historic Columbia River Highway roadhouses along the route were the establishments to visit, attracting the rich and famous. Chanticleer Inn, now the location of the Portland Women's Forum Scenic Viewpoint, was only 22 miles from Portland. Crown Point Chalet overlooked Vista House and nearby was the View Point Inn, established in 1925. Latourell Chalet was established in 1914 and had a brief 3-month history and soon afterwards Maffet's Villa was built. Nearby was Forest Hall and Bridal Veil Lodge. Multnomah Lodge was located at the base of Mist Falls and Multnomah Falls Lodge still exists and is located at the beautiful Multnomah Falls. Furthest along the route was the Columbia Gorge Hotel near Hood River, a resort still quite popular today.

• Bridal Veil Lodge, Bridal Veil, Oregon ...

• Chanticleer Inn, Portland Women's Forum, Oregon ...

• Columbia Gorge Hotel, Hood River, Oregon ...

• Crown Point Chalet, Crown Point, Oregon ...

• Eagle Creek ...

• Forest Hall ("Maxwell House"), Bridal Veil/Shepperd's Dell, Oregon ...

• Happy Dell Auto Camp, Viento, Oregon ...

• Latourell Falls Chalet, Latourell, Oregon ...

• Lindsey Inn, Lindsey Creek, Oregon ...

• Maffet's Villa, Latourell, Oregon ...

• Mitchell Point "Tourist Spot", Mitchell Point, Oregon ...

• Multnomah Falls Lodge, Multnomah Falls, Oregon ...

• Multnomah Lodge ("Mist Lodge"), Mist Falls, Oregon ...

• Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins and Shirley's Tippy Canoe, Troutdale, Oregon ...

• View Point Inn, Corbett, Oregon ...

• Waukoma Hotel, Hood River, Oregon ...

• Wayfarer Inn, Corbett, Oregon ...

Links

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