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.

Scott Cook, Curious Gorge

This elegant hotel was constructed in 1921 by Historic Hwy philanthropist Simon Benson. Benson hired many of the Italian stonemasons who had worked on the Hist Hwy to add flourishes to his new showpiece hotel. The best stone flourishes are at the creek bridge immediately in front of the hotel, where the stonemasons outdid themselves with rock spirals twisting down to the creek bed... accompanied by two inexplicable stairways down into the creek. Hmmm?

Columbia Gorge Hotel Website

The Hotel has 39 guest accommodations with private bath. We also have conference facilities that can accommodate intimate groups to large meetings. Facilities include our award-winning Simon's Restaurant, the Valentino Lounge, an outdoor terrace for dining or drinks, and meeting space to accommodate up to 225 guests.

The stately site on which the Columbia Gorge Hotel now stands was originally developed in 1904 by Bobby Rand, a Hood River pioneer, as the Wah Gwin Gwin Hotel (a Native American name meaning "rushing water," in reference to the 208' waterfall on the grounds).

These were the days of steamers navigating the waters of the Columbia River from the Cascades to The Dalles. To alert the hotel, the captains would sound the whistle once for each guest he had on board. Maids would then quickly make up the appropriate number of beds.

In 1920, Rand sold his interests in the hotel to Simon Benson. Benson had just helped complete what many of the era claimed to be the world's most beautiful road, the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. Benson's dream was to create an opulent hotel for travelers at the end of this road. He hired some of the same Italian stone masons that had built the highway to embellish his hotel.

The hotel had barely opened before it had an international reputation. Presidents Roosevelt and Coolidge, actresses Myrna Loy, Jane Powell, and rumor has it, Rudolph Valentino are some of the notables to have graced the hotel.

During the depression, the hotel fell on hard times and was purchased by the Neighbors of Woodcraft as a retirement home. Such it remained for a quarter of a century, until the ongoing restoration began in 1977. Now corporately owned and operated, The Columbia Gorge Hotel has been brilliantly restored to a new opulence. The hotel stands proudly atop a bluff overlooking the mighty Columbia River greeting its visitors with warmth and elegance continuing to be an elegant oasis in the heart of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.*

* Excerpts taken from A Taste for Comfort by Anita Stewart, 1993, C&D Publishing, Portland, Oregon

Wikipedia: Columbia Gorge Hotel

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a historic hotel in Hood River, Oregon, United States. It was built by Simon Benson, who was involved with the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway.[3] Benson envisioned a hotel at the end of the highway, and completed the Mission style hotel in 1921.[1] The new hotel was built on the site of the previous Wah Gwin Gwin Hotel, built in 1904. Between 1925 and 1952, the hotel went through several changes of ownership.[1][4]

The then-48-room hotel closed in 1952, when it was sold to the Neighbors of Woodcraft,[1][5] a non-profit fraternal benefit society based in Oregon since 1905,[6] and converted into a retirement home.[1][7] It was sold again in 1978, with the new owners planning to reopen it as a hotel.[1] After a $1-million renovation, the now-42-room hotel reopened in September 1979.[4][7]

In January 2009, the landmark hotel closed its doors again, due to foreclosure.[8][9] The foreclosing bank later re-opened the hotel before selling it to Vijay Patel's A-1 Hospitality Group in October 2009 for around $4 million.[3] Between 2009 and 2012, the hotel underwent a major renovation.[10] The Columbia Gorge Hotel is recognized as one of the Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.[11]

Guests of the hotel have included Burt Reynolds and Shirley Temple, among others.[3]

Video (By Others...)

Links

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