1946 State Parks Report: Sheridan State Park

The Sheridan State Park is on the old Columbia River Highway at Mile Post 44, adjacent to the Bonneville Dam. It is located in Section 14, Township 1 North of Range 7 East, Hood River County, Oregon, containing 11.50 acres, the deed date, April 24, 1923.

This wayside area, with a view of the Bonneville Dam and power site, is an historical park named in honor of Major General Phillip H. Sheridan who, as a Lieutenant participated in Yakima Indian troubles at the Cascades, A marker beside the old highway, indicated the place where Sheridan with a small force of soldiers and civilians crossed from the Oregon shore, to assist the beleaguered citizens on Bradford Island who had been attacked by some two or three hundred Yakima Indians on March 26, 1856, two days previous to Sheridan's arrival. As told by Captain Lawrence Coe in Gaston's Centennial History of Oregon, page 413. Sheridan came up from Fort Vancouver on the steamer Belle, picking up a group of civilians on the way who readily volunteered to return and join him in the conflict. Troops also came from Fort Dalles and with volunteers from Portland and elsewhere the Indians were soon defeated, but not until there had been a considerable number of casualties on both sides.

The park offers a good view of the Bonneville Administration site for those who wish to pause for a few moments and look upon this famous structural achievement that has obliterated the Cascade Rapids and for many miles stilled the waters of the Columbia

There are no facilities within the park area and development work has been limited to roadside cleanup and reduction of fire hazard.

W. A. Langille

State Parks Historian

December 5, 1945

Recommendations:

More should be made of this wayside with its historical background. The point provides two wonderful views, the Cascade Bridge and the Bonneville Dam. More tables, a water supply would add to the development. [sic] The area south of the highway should have study.

S. H. Boardman

State Parks Superintendent

March 25, 1946

Chester H. Armstrong, HISTORY OF THE OREGON STATE PARKS: 1917-1963

Sheridan State Park is located on both sides of Interstate Highway 80N, approximately 40.6 miles east of the city of Portland, between Bonneville Dam and the city of Cascade Locks in Hood River County.

The entire park land, 11.5 acres, was purchased from Oregon-Washington Railway and Navigation Company on April 24, 1923, at a cost of $1,080.

Acquisition of the area was to assure preservation of the historic point where Philip Henry Sheridan, who, as a lieutenant with a small force of soldiers and civilian volunteers, crossed from the Oregon shore to assist the beleaguered citizens on Bradford Island who had been attacked by some two or three hundred Yakima Indians on March 26, 1856, two days previous to Sheridan's arrival. As told by Captain Lawrence Coe in Gaston's Centennial History of Oregon, Lieutenant Sheridan came up from Fort Vancouver on the steamer Belle, picking up a group of civilians on the way who readily volunteered to join him in the conflict. Troops also came from Fort Dalles and were joined by volunteers from Portland and elsewhere. The Indians were soon defeated, but not until there had been a considerable number of casualties on both sides.

Sheridan State Park was selected as a name for this area partially because it was a fitting name to mark the historic river crossing and to honor the brave and fearless lieutenant who did such efficient and courageous work against the Indians and who later was made a General for his great work in the Civil War.

The park area offers excellent views of the Bonneville Administration site toward the west, the Bridge of the Gods toward the east and the Columbia River Gorge which confines the huge body of water behind Bonneville Dam and completely obliterates the Cascade Rapids.

Improvements are trails throughout the area and a few picnic tables and benches.

Use of the area has been small; therefore, no count of the visitors has been made.

Sheridan State Park Interpretive Sign (above)

The park is named for Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. In 1856, while stationed in Oregon, the young Lt. Sheridan led a small force across the Columbia River at this location to assist settlers on Bradford Island who were battling Yakima Indians aggrieved at the taking of tribal lands.

Leaving Oregon, Sheridan rose meteorically through military ranks during the Civil War, and at age 52 he became Commanding General of the Untied States Army. Historians consider Sheridan's military exploits against Indians in the West and the forces of the Confederacy as both famous and infamous.

Jackie Scott, "Trail opens window to old forest"

Few people know about the 11-acre Sheridan State Scenic Corridor, said David Sell, a forester and land-use coordinator for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area who is on loan to the Federal Highway Administration. “It’s not even on the list of Oregon state parks,” he said. The corridor, lush with sword ferns, lichens, Douglas fir, hemlock and cedar, was named for Lt. Philip H. Sheridan. The state acquired the land 41 miles east of Portland from the Oregon-Washington Railway and Navigation Co. in 1923. Convenient access to undisturbed old forests in Western Oregon is rare, Sell said. “It will be available for folks who can’t get out to see other old-growth forests,” he said. The corridor features trees ranging from 200 to 300 years old, but Sell said age and size of trees aren’t the only characteristics of an old-growth forest. Old growth sports at least two canopies: one of very tall trees and a second of shorter, younger trees. The forest floor is covered with humus and woody debris but not choked by rampant brush. Because of the tail’s accessibiliy, educators could teach students about old-growth forests and include a field trip to the Sheridan State Scenic Corridor, Sell said. The park soon will lose its obscurity, thanks to the $1.7 million universal access trail to be managed by Oregon State Parks.

Map Currently Unavailable

Links

Wikipedia: Sheridan State Scenic Corridor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheridan_State_Scenic_Corridor

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