Ken Manske. A Traveler's Guide to the Historic Columbia River Highway.

This grand southern-style home was originally built as a restaurant called Forrest Hall [sic] for two sisters from Paris, Kentucky who specialized in serving just chicken dinners.

The restaurant closed in the 1920s but was reopened by Elsie Maxwell in the 1940s as the Maxwell House. It is located on the north side of the road near mile marker 28 and is now a private residence.

"Built for Nettie Arnold and Anne Hibler, it was considered one of the finer restaurants in the Gorge (a Springdale builder, Geroge A. Canzler, helped with its construction). In 1938, Elsa Maxwell took over the establishment, and it soon became known as the Maxwell House."

The Scenic Tours Company, 1916: Official Columbia Highway Tour

FOREST HALL

One-fourth mile east of Shepperd's Dell

A cool, restful Colonial house in a setting of big fir trees, with the Pillars of Hercules in the background and the Pallisades rising across the Columbia River.

On the east is a court enclosed by a delicate lattice-work of fine Colonial design, in the center of which stands a large fir tree. In the west wing is is an enclosed veranda, daintily furnished, adapting itself admirable to the comfort and convenience of guests.

The interior -- a scene from the old South -- mahogany which graced a stately plantation home, known as Forest Park, near Lexington, Kentucky, when the pioneers were first making their way over the Oregon trail, silver and glass and old-fashioned flowers. Miss Ann Hibbler is a hostess one delights to meet, gentle and courtesous. Black Eva, who presides, was one of the famous cooks of Kentucky before she transferred her art and traditions to the West.

Morning Oregonian: June 25, 1916

Forest Hall

Columbia River Highway

Unique and distinctive; culture and refinement of home; simplicity and restfulness are everywhere apparent. Large, attractive fireplace, spotless linen, polished silver and beautiful cut glass contribute to the hospitality which abounds here. Beautifully furnished with old-time crotch mahogany. Eva, the colored cook, is an adept in preparing famous Southern dinners. Fried Spring chicken our specialty. Dinners served at 7 P.M. It is urgent that you phone in advance in order that preparation will be made for your pleasure and entertainment.

MISS ANN HIBLER, Hostess

BRIDAL VEIL, Oregon.

Phone Long Distance "Forest Hall Station."

Patti Hanson, Timber Winds: Faresh Hall

As you drive down the Scenic Highway towards Multnomah Falls, you may see a stately white house to the left. It stands out because of its immense size and beauty. Its architecture is almost classical, with large white pillars across the front. Its once huge double doors were replaced by the present owners in the course of their remodeling.

A history of the house was given to us by Marty Meredith, the former owner of the house.

"(Some) people by the name of Arnold and Hibler had (the) home built for them in 1917 [in error, 1915] by a builder by the name of Cook. The home was named 'Faresh Hall' at that time and was opened as a restaurant-type roadhouse."

"The Arnolds then sold their half of the house to Mrs. Herrencohle and her daughter, Anne, and it continued to be a restaurant. A Mrs. Montgomery from Vancouver, Washington, purchased the house and it sat (run) down and idle til Elsie Maxwell bought (it), we think about 1937. Elsie ran the home as a special dinner and guest house."

"Elsie sold it about 1947 to some people by the name of Peterson. (The) Petersons tried to run the restaurant, but it failed. Mrs. Maxwell told us people just wouldn't drive that far for a $2.00 chicken dinner."

Mr. and Mrs. Mitzel and (their) two grown children bought the house for a private home. Mrs. Mitzel passed away, and Mr. Mitzel sold the home to Mr. Auker and it was (run) as a rest home. Mr. Auker then sold it ti Mr. and Mrs. Hitchman, (both elderly).

"Mr. and Mrs. John Noble and (their) two small children bought the house in approximately 1960. (The) Nobels sold the home to us, (Mr. and Mrs. Ed Meridith), in 1969."

The Merediths did extensive renovating to the home for a number of years, and later sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Alder, the present owners.

Lyn Topinka, Columbia River Images: Forest Hall

"Forest Hall", "Forrest Hall", and "Faresh Hall" have all been names referring to today's "Forest Hall", with "Forest Hall" first appearing in advertisement in the Morning Oregonian in June 1916. During the 1930s and 1940s the eatery was called "Maxwell House".

To the best of my online research, I could only find the name "Faresh Hall" appearing in 1981 and 1985. The first was in the community of Corbett's 1981 "Timber Winds" publication, produced by Corbett High students.

Another reference appeared in the 1985 National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for the View Point Inn. In contrast, the use of "Forest Hall" appeared in an advertisement in June 1916 in the Morning Oregonian, the major newspaper of the area. To date (late 2014), I could find no other reference to the name "Faresh".

Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway Facebook Group

Posted by Ben Carscallen (www.BenCarscallen.com) on February 25, 2020: Found this on the "City of Vancouver Archives". Group portrait by Gifford from 1918 at Forest Hall. Here's a link to the photo and more info. Search up Bridal Veil and you'll see the other images. https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/group-portrait-of-speakers-for-liberty-loan-mission-to-idaho-washington-oregon-taken-forest-hill-near-portland-oregon-in-spring-about-april-1918

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