First opened in 1925, then closed in 1962, then opened, briefly in 1997 before being closed again... When it finally reopened, in 2006, I think, it quickly showed up in the 2008 movie Twilight before closing due to fire damage in 2011.

I'll try not to draw a connection, since I know a few people like that film and I don't want to see them put off by a comment about karma...

The most recent owner, Geoff Thompson, started repairing the Inn in 2013.

TheViewPointInn.com: History

The original property was owned by Lorens Lund, a Danish immigrant who came to the United States in the 1870’s. Lund and Norwegian wife, Mari, gave the name “Thor’s Heights” to their 120 acres overlooking Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge. The land was later purchased by the Grace H. Palmer Corporation. Mrs. Palmer hired highly renowned Portland architect, Carl Linde, to design and build a $47,000 Tudor Arts and Crafts Style “tea house” and “resort”. The Palmer House, as it came to be called, opened on June 4, 1925, in hopes of capturing the growing market of automobile tourism that was growing in the Gorge area thanks to the Columbia River Highway.

Mrs. Palmer’s hopes were dashed however in 1927, as bankruptcy forced the Grace H. Palmer Corporation to liquidate and sell the Palmer House. Luckily, William Moessner, the prestigious German chef de cuisine of downtown Portland’s Benson Hotel purchased the property and renamed it The View Point Hotel. He ran a highly successful business with his wife Clara for over 50 years. It was during this time that numerous Hollywood celebrities, famous Americans, and European royals frequented the Inn, including such notables as President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin. The View Point Hotel remained highly successful until the 1960’s.

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

Designed by the renowned Portland architect, Carl Linde, the Lodge was built in 1924 by the Grace H. Palmer Corporation.

In 1927, William Moessner, a chef trained in Germany, purchased the Lodge and renamed it the View Point Inn. This unique and beautiful inn, placed at a point with a stunning view of the Columbia River Gorge to the west, soon became a landmark in the area. Mr. Moessner and his wife, Clara, served gourmet meals to a distinguished clientele including political and business leaders, movie stars, and others.

...

The Inn became a regular stop for charter buses bringing visitors to the Gorge for a salmon dinner.

"After the opening of Interstate 84, automobile tourism along the Columbia River Highway faded away, as did the many inns and restaurants dotting the scenic drive. Proprietor William Moessner, however, stubbornly refused to accept defeat. Every day, he kept the inn immaculate and ready for business. While there is much speculation, no one really knows when the last meal was served. However, we do know that Moessner faithfully tended to the ghost hotel up until the day of his death in 1979."

"Moessner closed the Inn in 1962, but continued to live on the premises until his death in 1979."

"The inn was subsequently purchased in 1982 by Doug and Karen Watson, who helped to win it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Only four properties boast this prestigious distinction in the entire Columbia River National Scenic Area."

"The Inn is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. When an inventory of historic buildings was completed for the proposed Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Inn was closed, hence was not included as a commercial enterprise. Therefore we have an incongruity - an Inn with a recognized historic importance that cannot now operate as an Inn. This is unfortunate, not only because of the historic significance of the building, but because it should be open for use by the public. [Its restrooms would be a welcome addition for visitors, particularly the elderly or disabled.]"

"The Inn’ current owner, Geoff Thompson, secured the property in 1997 and started a very successful restaurant and bed & breakfast. In 1998 the U.S. Forest Service purchased the land surrounding the property and wanted to link the inn with the nearby Vista House to create a state park. Government agencies colluded together and drove Thompson off his land in 1999."

"Recently, after re-opening in 1997 under a very restrictive permit issued by Multnomah County, the new owners found themselves involved in a court case engendered by a complaint about its operation and parking. The court found that the owners of the Inn had violated their operating permit. An appeal to the Gorge Commission failed for the reason cited above. Apparently, an Act of Congress would be required to allow the Inn to operate as an Inn. Hence, the View Point Inn joins the list of historic structures that have not fared well under the Scenic Area Act, despite its provisions related to historic preservation."

"Due to his great love of the gorgeous historic property, Thompson fought to legally block the sale of the inn and the ghost hotel sat empty for the next four years. In 2003, he returned and purchased the inn a second time with his partner Angelo Simione. After a three year legal battle, which included amending a Federal Act, Thompson finally emerged victorious! That December, The View Point Inn became an Oregon landmark once again."

"The historic 1296 Inn is nowadays famed for its part in the hit vampire movie Twilight. Fans come from around the world to see the prom scene 'Hotel Monte Carlo' and maybe go on the 'Twilight Sights' bus tour hosted by the Inn. The Inn has quaint rooms and a breakfast/lunch/dinner dining room just dripping with old-time charm and elegance.

Sophia Li, "View Point Inn in Corbett was uninsured, say owners after Sunday's fire"

The historic View Point Inn and Restaurant in Corbett lost most of its roof in a fire Sunday, and blackened debris covered the furniture and floor on the hotel's second floor. But the owners of the hotel, which overlooks the Columbia River Gorge, are still not sure how they will pay for repairs.

The building has not been insured since April, said Geoff Thompson, who owns the inn with his partner Angelo Simione.

Photo Currently Unavailable

April 5, 2020

When this project went on its five-year hiatus, there were a lot of issues still up in the air involving the fate of the View Point Inn. I have yet to get caught up on what has been going on recently, but after the site rebuild, that will be one of the items on my to-do list.

All I can say for sure is that, as of March 2020, the building still stood, but I cannot speak on its current condition, on its current ownership, or on the status of any business there. I did notice the ViewPointInn.com website is down, so I am guessing whomever started that is no longer involved with the property.

Links

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