"The Chanticleer Inn, 1912 - 1930: In 1912, Alba and Madge Kay Morgan built this restaurant before the CRH came through. They christened the location, 'Chanticleer Point," perhaps because of its proximity to Rooster Rock on the river below. Hostess (partner?) Margaret Henderson's culinary skills and flair gave the inn a rousing start, On August 27, 1913, the Multnomah County Commission met here and voted to construct a highway through the Gorge."

"[Frank] Knieriem helped build several of the buildings in the vicinity, including the Chanticleer Inn..."

Clarence E. Mershon, East of the Sandy: The Columbia River Highway

Initially (or soon after the Inn opened), Margaret E. Henderson managed the restaurant and served as its hostess. On September 8, 1913, a second son, Richard, was born to the Morgans. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter Mrs. Morgan died. Perhaps Mrs. Morgan's pregnancy caused Mrs. Henderson to be hired.

On August 27, 1913, the Inn served as a meeting place for the Multnomah County Commission under Rufus Holman. At this meeting, Holman met with Sam Hill and the other backers of the highway. The next day, Multnomah County secured the services of Samuel Lancaster as engineer for the construction of the Columbia River Highway.

The Chanticleer became a well-known restaurant, attracting crowds of patrons from Portland as well as tourists after the highway opened. On Sunday, May 17, 1914, the Chanticleer Inn celebrated an "opening day," after extensive renovation of the facility by Mr. Morgan.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Henderson became the manager of the Falls Chalet at Latourell, which opened a few weeks later.

In February, 1916, Mr. Morgan brought a new bride, Marie Morgan, to Chanticleer.

The Morgans owned and managed Chanticleer until it was destroyed by fire on October 8, 1930.

Many individuals worked at Chanticleer during its heyday. Clara Mannthey maintained that President Woodrow Wilson "enjoyed eating the biscuits I made." During her teenage years, Bea Faught worked and boarded at the Inn. She earned $1.00 per day plus her room and board. Laura Hicks walked across the road to work at the Inn.

"Chanticleer point was named by Mr. & Mrs. A.R. Morgan who purchased the property in 1912. They built an inn on the point with one of the most magnificent views in the world and named it 'Chanticleer' after the rooster in the story 'Reynard the Fox.' The area took on the name of the inn and is still known as Chanticleer Point."

"...for travelers in the early part 20th century, Chanticleer Inn offered country dining with a view of the Gorge off its veranda. The location was as far east from Portland on the county’s road network as anyone could drive prior to the CRH’s construction. Some diners even traveled by train to Rooster Rock, at the river’s edge and then by automobile or carriage up a steep road to the Inn, some 700 feet above the river. The site was important in the CRH’s development because promoters and boosters met there to plan the route and continued as a popular destination once the highway was completed."

Ken Manske, A Traveler's Guide to the Historic Columbia River Highway

Before the road was paved, a trip to Chanticleer was, to say the least, an adventure. When the dirt road was dry, dust thrown up by the wheels would coat everything in the car. And during the frequent wet periods, the road from Portland through Springdale and Corbett to the inn was often a muddy quagmire.

Another way to the inn was to take a train to the depot at Rooster Rock. There travelers could take a motorized shuttle and brave a winding road from the base of the cliff to the inn. Portions of that road still exist. the upper end of it can be accessed only by hikers from the western side of the parking lot. Several vistas are available for those taking the time to walk the existing portion of the road which is passable for eight-tenths of a mile (about halfway down the bluff) from the park.

"Chanticleer Inn burned in the 1930s. Subsequently, the Portland Women’s Forum, which was active in preserving the Columbia River Gorge’s natural beauty, gained title to the property. It donated the parcel to the state for a park in 1962. Additional acreage was acquired in 1970."

Links

PDXHistory.com: Columbia River Roadhouses

http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/roadhouses.html

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway