ODOT, Historic Columbia River Highway Oral History: Final Report

When Bill took the school bus he caught it next to the Crag Rats Club house. The Hood River Crag Rats are the oldest Mountain Rescue organization in the United States (Bill is a life member). The Crag Rats were formed as a result of two successful searches for young men that were lost in the Government Camp area. The father of one of the two boys put on a banquet to thank the rescuers who saved his son. In 1932, the group purchased property near Exit 62 and built a meeting house. The building was destroyed with the construction of the Interstate. However, today you can still see its large rock fire place (Figure 3.33), which stands on a knoll north of the local gas station.

According to Bill, it is still possible to see the remnants of other buildings as well in this area. Across the highway was a farm house, where a family who raised cattle lived. The family also had a donkey that Bill and his friends would ride. The rock wall on the south side of the highway is a remnant of the home that belonged to Mr. Balley. Where the Red Carpet Inn (northeast corner of Country Club and the HCRH) is located today, Mr. Balley had a service station with a big lawn to the side. In 1937, on this very lawn, Bill and his Frankton School classmates watched Franklin Roosevelt’s motorcade go by after he dedicated the Bonneville Dam and proceeded onto Timberline Lodge (Figure 3.34).

"Crag Rats Clubhouse, 1966 -- Above I-84 exit 62 in Hood River, accessed by the dirt road behind the 76 station. Not sure who owns the land up there, beware of trespassing."

Crag Rats Website

Formed in 1926, the Crag Rats are the oldest mountain search and rescue organization in North America. They are also founding members of the Mountain Rescue Association.

Before the group was formed, climbers from the Hood River Valley were called on in 1926 to search for a lost boy, joining the Forest Service, US Army, and groups from Portland. After several days, the Hood River climbers found the boy and returned him to his parents.

Reporters covering the search asked the men the name of their group. One man remembered a comment one of their wives made when they had discussed forming a search and rescue group. “You ought to call yourselves the ‘Crag Rats’ because you’re nothing but a bunch of rats who play in the crags,” she had joked. “We are the ‘Crag Rats,’” he declared. And so the group was born.

The Crag Rats were formally organized that August. They still wear the signature black and white checkered shirts that they have worn since 1926. The Crag Rats remain active in search and rescue operations on Mt. Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, and elsewhere.

Members of the Crag Rats are residents of the Hood River Valley who share a love of the backcountry, the mountains and skiing. Their members come from a wide and eclectic mix of professions. Some members are third generation members.

The group maintains and has substantially restored the historic Cloud Cap Inn, located on the north side of Mount Hood. The Inn has been used as the Search and Rescue base for several significant operations.

The Crag Rats are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are always welcome. All donations are used for purposes consistent with the Crag Rats 501(c)(3) status. All donors are sent a letter, thanking the donor, and appropriate for tax purposes. Federal Tax ID: 93-60330654

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon:

The COLUMBIA GORGE HOTEL (R), 127.2 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction], a large structure of striking lines, was built in 1921-22 by Simon Benson, pioneer lumberman. Just behind the hotel the picturesque WAW GUIN GUIN FALLS drop over a sheer cliff to the river below. Nearby is the Crag Rats Clubhouse, owned by a mountain climbing organization having a membership limited to those who have climbed at least three major snow peaks; members must climb at least one major snow peak annually to remain in good standing.

Links

Crag Rats

http://www.cragrats.org/

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway