Chanticleer Inn
"The automobiles are Pierce-Arrows, probably 1911 or 1912 models."
Quote: Clarence E. Mershon. The Columbia River Highway: From the Sea to the Wheat Fields of Eastern Oregon. Portland: Guardian Peaks Enterprises. 2006. 1st Edition. 92
Image: Post Card (Reproduction): Chanticleer Inn Columbia River HighwayPublished by Friends of the Vista House. From the collection of A. F. LittPhoto by Charles W. Post
"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."
Clarence E. Mershon. The Columbia River Highway: From the Sea to the Wheat Fields of Eastern Oregon. Portland: Guardian Peaks Enterprises. 2006. 1st Edition. 92
"[Frank] Knieriem helped build several of the buildings in the vicinity, including the Chanticleer Inn..."
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, 35
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.
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, 33-34
"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."
Ken Manske, A Traveler's Guide to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Gresham, OR: M&A Tour Books. (Chanticleer 1)
"...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."
Hadlow, Landmark Nomination, 23
"Our historic photo of the day is one of my new favorites taken in the Columbia River Gorge. This great photograph was taken at Chanticleer Point and captured a beautiful view of Rooster Rock and the Vista House. It also provides a view of how this area looked prior to the construction of what would become I-84. The long buildings in the cove near Rooster Rock were part of a salmon cannery that used to operate there. This is the first historic photo that I have seen which provides this view as most of the photos were usually taken from the Vista House. I hope you all enjoy this great photo and think about it next time you are driving through this part of the Columbia River Gorge. Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend! Austin "
OHD G-402 View looking east towards Rooster Rock and Vista House in Columbia River GorgeOregon State ArchivesPosted on Facebook, July 3, 2014https://www.facebook.com/OregonStateArchives/photos/a.332597276807385/713778965355879/?type=3&theater
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.
Ken Manske. A Traveler's Guide to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Gresham, OR: M&A Tour Books. 2003. (Chanticleer 1 - 2)
"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."
Hadlow, Landmark Nomination, 23