Rainier, Oregon
Route 2 / US 30
For a long time I thought the original CRH swung south to A Street, and there was even some evidence on the ground to suggest that, but I am stepping back from that now. Partially, I've changed my mind because Taylor keeps the route on B Street but mostly I've changed because a closer examination of the 1928 map shows the rail tracks running straight into the street closest to the water, a block north of the highway, and A Street, in it's early days, had the train running right down the middle of the road.
It is a bit confusing, though, relying on the Metsker map with it's lack of street names, because drawing out the possible A Street alignment in Google Earth actually looked a lot like the map below passing through town.
Looking at Taylor, it could be that the road that I once thought was the highway swinging north to A Street from B Street was the road to the Long Bell Ferry, "which they caught by going down the hill to the right after coming into town." (71)
Oregon State Archives - A 1940 Journey Across Oregon
RAINIER, 47.5 m. [West of Portland] (23 alt., 1,353 pop.), named for Mount Rainier, which is often visible to the northeast, was an important stop in the days of river commerce. The town was founded by Charles E. Fox in 1851. First called Eminence, its name was later changed to Fox's Landing and finally to Rainier. In 1854 F. M. Warren erected a large steam sawmill and began producing lumber for the homes and other buildings of the settlers. Rainier was incorporated in 1885. At Rainier is a toll bridge connecting with Longview, Washington (car and driver, 80c; maximum, $1).
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/across/portland.html
Michael C. Taylor, Road of Difficulties: Building the Lower Columbia River Highway
Before the Lewis & Clark (Longview) Bridge was built, travelers to Longview, Washington made use of the Long Bell Ferry, which they caught by going down the hill to the right after coming into town.
Rainier, named after Mt. Rainier, was founded by Charles Fox, who also established the first post office in 1851 when the town was still called Eminence. Today's population is comparable to that of 1915.
Taylor 71