Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area is comprised of two units. The western unit is the one most people are familiar with, donated by George Shepperd to the City of Portland, and then to OPRD by the city in 1940. The eastern unit, undeveloped and containing containing Coopey Falls, according to the map below, was donated to OPRD in 1984.

"The spelling of the dell's name tends to vary depending on the source. The official Oregon State Park site spells it with the apostrophe, however the GNIS entry omits the apostrophe. Oregon Geographic Names appears to make a distinction between the name of the geographic feature and the name of the state park (now a state natural area), referring to both Shepperds Dell and Shepperd's Dell State Park. Omitting the apostrophe when referring to the dell itself is consistent with the policies of the United States Board on Geographic Names, which strongly discourages the use of possessive apostrophes in geographic names."

My favorite quote about Mr. Shepperd...

"The tract of eleven acres at this point, given by George Shepperd for a public park, is unexcelled. God made this beauty spot and gave it to a man with a great heart. Men of wealth and high position have done big things for the Columbia River Highway which will live in history; but George Shepperd, the man of small means, did his part full well."

CLICK HERE to learn more about George Shepperd

1946 State Parks Report: Shepperd's Dell State Park

Eastward, the next state park is Shepperd's Dell, at Mile Post 27.38. This unusual park site was given to the City of Portland by George W. Shepperd, for "park and recreational purposes". For a number of years it was under Portland's stewardship. Situated at Young's Creek, it is described by metes and bounds as being in Section 28, Township 1 North of Range 5 East, W.M., Multnomah County, containing 10.03 acres. It was a gift to the State of Oregon by the City of Portland, the deed dated October 14, 1940.

Shepperd's Dell itself is a sightly rock bound, hill side cove, down which Young's Creek wends its broken ever-hurrying way in a series of cascades and minor falls that angle in almost every direction. The highway approach to this charming spot, from either east or west, is along the side of an almost vertical wall of massive basalt. Particularly noticeable is the unique, overhanging cliff of finely jointed basalt, overlying a splendid palisade base of heavy basalt columns, just east of the bridge, the striking contrast between the two forms of rock being very apparent, even to the casual observer. At this time there are no facilities nor are there other park improvements. Its scenic highway approaches and surroundings, in connection with its impressive geologic formations, win and hold attention as one of the unusual and picturesque features of highway construction in this area.

W. A. Langille

State Parks Historian

December 5, 1945

Recommendations:

This park should be kept in its natural state. Larger parking are if possible.

S. H. Boardman

State Parks Superintendent

March 25, 1946

Oregon State Parks: Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area

Acquired by gift, exchange and purchase between 1940 and 1984. The original tract of land, including the dell, was given first to the city of Portland in 1915 by George G. Shepperd as a memorial to his wife. Later the tract was given by the city to the state.

Acreage: 520.99

In 1915, a local dairy farmer named George Shepperd gave all that he had (this tract of land) to the City of Portland as a memorial to his wife. Today, thousands of visitors along the Historic Columbia River Highway visit this beautiful spot, with its roaring waterfall cascading down steep cliffs into Youngs Creek and out to the Columbia River far below. The upper fall is around 42' tall. The lower tier is around 50' tall.

One of the most beautiful and historic highway bridges crosses the canyon here, but you can't see or appreciate it unless you leave your car and take the short trail to the falls.

Robert W. Hadlow, Columbia River Highway Historic District, National Historic Landmark Nomination

George G. Shepperd, a local farmer of modest means, gave the initial 10.03 acres of this park to the city of Portland in May 1915 as a memorial to his wife. By 1940, the land had become part of the state parks system and was subsequently enlarged to 343.99 acres. The original 10-acre parcel that Shepperd donated contains the falls, the streambed, and the improved trail. The boundaries for this historic developed area are within the larger NHL district and are the same as those included in the existing NR historic district for the CRH.

Visitors to this attraction park their vehicles in a small, unimproved pullout east of the alcove. A short staircase at the eastern end of the bridge takes visitors down a trail that hugs the curved cliff-face of the alcove and leads to the stream. Mortared basalt rubble walls mark the trail’s edge and also provide a visual continuity between the trail and the CRH, with its masonry guard walls. A straight-on view of the Shepperd’s Dell Bridge is possible from the trail’s end at the stream.

Construction of a trail from the Shepperd’s Dell Bridge to the stream allows visitors to see the cascades of water the trail’s entire length, from the moment they reach the top of the steps at the end of the bridge. This heightens the experience for summer visitors, especially, as they anticipate reaching the cool refreshing air near the stream. The trail’s cliff-face construction, masonry guard wall, and gentle grade echo the CRH’s design philosophy on a human scale.

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

In the shadowy grotto of SHEPPERD'S DELL, 163.7 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction]. a sparkling waterfall leaps from a cliff. A white concrete arch bridges a chasm 150 feet wide and 140 feet deep. Near the bridge the highway curves around a domed rock known as BISHOP'S CAP or MUSHROOM ROCK.

Links

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