The Dell

"In the wide spot on the highway to the west of the driveway down to the Shepperd dairy farm and west of Shepperds Dell State Park. My grandmother, Emma Fick Shepperd and my aunt Margaret Shepperd Buzan ran the restaurant."

February 11, 2020

At one point I'd heard that there was a gas station located here, but it seems like it was the location of The Dell restaurant.

“There was a place to eat – it seemed like every two miles. They were on the side of the road between Chanticleer and the Vista House where the road goes up Larch Mountain. Right in there was a restaurant on that bluff, and then there was Latourell with a place to eat, and a place near Shepherd’s Dell. I think it was called the White Elephant or something like that. There was just a place every so often, where you could stop and get something to eat.”

Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway Facebook Page:

Jamen Lee, February 11, 2020: "...from my understanding there was a market or restaurant at the big gravel lot west of Shepperds Dell? Everyone at Parks refers to the spot as 'the Oasis', but maybe it was a different name?"

Rosemary Shepperd Guttridge, February 11, 2020: "The restaurant picture I have was of The Dell. Located above the Shepperd Dairy farm. My cousin has the menu from White Elephant. And Laurel Brown grew up across from the Bridal Veil Cafe and Motel. ...the restaurant that my grandmother and aunt ran on that site was named The Dell."

Betty Buzan Kinniburgh, February 14, 2020: "I am so happy to see this photo. My mother was Margaret Sheppard, and Emma was my grandmother and this was their restaurant. Somewhere we have a handwritten menu!"

Oregon History and Memories Facebook Page

Post by Ben Carscallen‎ (www.Ben Carscallen‎.com), March 19, 2018:

Does anyone know of "The Owl" / "Jack o' Lantern"? Along with "The White Elephant". They were cafes along the Columbia River Highway. The first place sat at Horsetail Falls where the parking lot is at today (The Owl and Jack O' Lantern is two names it went by).

Then for The White Elephant, it sat about halfway between Latourell and Shepperd's Dell. They had a small zoo there, and an albino Coyote, or Wolf. If anyone has photos, postcards, stories, etc I would greatly appreciate it. All I have ever seen is a license plate topper for The White Elephant, and a menu from The Owl.

"I remember this 'around the tree' place from when I was a little kid, but I don't remember a gas station there at the time. Could have been one earlier. We always slowed down and drove around the tree - sometimes more than once."

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