Portland Auto Club
Viking Park / Bluebird Inn / Riverview Restaurant
Route 2: Stark Street Alignment
Riverview Restaurant Website
In the early 1900′s, the Portland Automobile Club originally owned the 5 acres on which the Riverview Restaurant now stands. Years later, the scenic property was sold to the Viking Organization, a Swedish club in search of grounds to host picnics and other social functions. Hence, the entire area soon came to be known as “Viking Park.” In 1932, the Viking Organization leased their property to the Soderbergs, a Swedish family who then opened a café at the Park cooking Swedish cuisine and renting cabins to travelers. After Prohibition, alcoholic beverages were added to the café menu, marking the start of the property’s future transformation into a local community pub. Eventually, when ownership of the café changed, the “Rustic Inn” became “Hagar’s of Viking Park.” Under this name, one-time owner Kurt Jensen helped to develop the pub into a popular family-dining destination in a peaceful park setting.
In 1991, Junki and Linda Yoshida acquired the adjacent property, which consists of fifteen acres and the original clubhouse of the Portland Automobile Club, which was built in 1912. As time went by, they envisioned reassembling this divided property and creating a remarkable landmark that would include a restaurant on the river in a beautifully landscaped setting, catering to the tastes and atmosphere largely desired within the community.
The Riverview Restaurant was specifically designed to take advantage of the natural beauty of the region and provide an exceptional view of Troutdale’s scenic Sandy River.
Riverview Restaurant Website: http://www.yoshidariverview.com/history
"At the base of Stark Street is the Stark Street Bridge. Immediately before the bridge on the east side of the highway is the site of the Portland Auto Club built in 1912-1913. This house was designed by Doyle, Patterson and Beach in the rustic Cascadian Style of the Columbia River area. It played a major role as one of the rest stops for travelers on the highway and was used for housing migrant workers. It was later turned into a picnic area called "Viking Park" used during the 1940-1950s. It is now a private residence."
Ken Manske, A Traveler's Guide to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Gresham, OR: M&A Tour Books. 2003. (Stark Street 2)
"At the south end of the Stark Street Bridge, the Portland Auto Club had earlier built a facility for its members, which came to be known as Viking Park. In 1921, S. G. Ruth rented the facility and opened The Bluebird Inn. The area is now a private residence..."
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, 20
