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2008 Gorge Ride Historic Columbia River Highway Interpretive Sites and Signs Grand Opening On November 30, 2007 about two dozen hardy people gathered at the corner of WaNaPa and Forest Lane in Cascade Locks for the completion celebration of the Interpretive Sites and Signs project at the parking lot there. As Cascade Locks Mayor Roger Freeborn noted, this site was a mud puddle when the project began. Many people worked to develop and construct the project, which included the landscaped parking area in Cascade Locks, another landscaped parking area at the junction of the Historic Columbia River Highway and Highway 35 in Hood River and twelve interpretive signs. Jeanette Kloos, President of the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway and former Oregon Department of Transportation Scenic Area Coordinator, provided some history of the project. The efforts by the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee were commended for finding ways to highlight the location of the Highway in the Urban Areas of Cascade Locks, Hood River and Mosier. Additionally, the efforts of the citizens of Cascade Locks to enhance their Eastern Gateway with the new parking area were noted. Mayor Freeborn, Jeanette Kloos, Oregon Department of Transportation Region 1 Manager Jason Tell, HCRH Advisory Committee Chair Bill Pattison and HCRH Advisory Committee member Art Carroll cut the ribbon for the official opening of the site. The cold, windy weather did not discourage two different bike riders to join the celebration. Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway Board member Dick Weber rode his bike from Portland. Bernard Seeger, Cascade Locks City Administrator, rode his cruiser from his office across the street from the new parking area.
Bikers Bernard Seeger (left) and Dick Weber Interpretive Signs Details: The twelve interpretive signs provide information about the City of Cascade Locks, Cascade Locks Cemetery, John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor, Sheridan State Park, the HCRH at Tanner Creek, the mural on the abutment of the Bridge of the Gods, the connection between the Columbia Gorge Hotel and the HCRH, the HCRH in Hood River, the Mt. Hood Loop, the HCRH in Mosier and an overall map of the HCRH at the Gorge Discovery Center and Museum in The Dalles.
Our Kickoff Event at Menucha – April 22, 2007 A sunny, beautiful spring day in the Columbia River Gorge welcomed the 70 guests as the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway held its kickoff event at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon.
Jonathan Nicholas, Chet Orloff with Antique Bicyclist Keith Ticknor The purpose of the event was to solicit funds and volunteers and to raise awareness for the historic highway and its needs.
Chet Orloff And Jeanette Kloos The guests were entertained by an informative presentation by Chet Orloff, Director Emeritus, Oregon Historical Society and Director, Pamplin Institute. Chet delved into early highway history as he played the part of Master of Ceremonies Samuel L. Jackson reliving a 1916 meeting for the initial highway dedication event. Chet weaved into his story people who helped create this wonderful highway including Sam Hill and Samuel Lancaster plus others.
Guests At The Kickoff Event Friends of the Highway volunteer Steve Lehl presented an antique glass lantern slide show with Gorge and highway photos from his personal collection. The slide show included commentary by Gorge historian Clarence Mershon.
Jeanette Kloos Jeanette Kloos, President and the founder of the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway spoke and urged attendees to support the highway needs and the Friends with donations and volunteer help. Jonathan Nicholas of the Oregonian newspaper and also a founding supporter of the Friends was the Master of Ceremonies.
Jonathan Nicholas Early 1900s piano music by Craig Bidondo entertained the guests prior to the presentations and afterwards as guests mingled, enjoyed punch and cookies and viewed antique highway photos and a very informative display depicting highway history, courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Chet Orloff George and Penny VanBeek brought color to the event with their period dress and riding in their 1915 Pierce-Arrow, a 7 passenger touring car. Bicyclist Keith Ticknor added to the fun while riding his large wheel antique bicycle as guests arrived. George and Penny VanBeek With Their 1915 Pierce-Arrow 7 Passenger Touring Car
Sharon Nesbit At The Welcoming Table Clarence Mershon At The Book Table These two photos are representative of the antique glass lantern slides shown at the event. Oneonta Tunnel Grand Reopening This event is in the early stages, with a date to be determined for sometime in 2008. This event will honor the partners in the project to reopen the Oneonta Tunnel.
Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway will be a partner in organizing the event. Road Construction and Closures Oneonta Gorge Parking and Vista Before this project began, many people called the bridge over Oneonta Creek the “bridge-to-no-where” because it was not obvious that there was a tunnel on the east side of the bridge. Now the debris has been removed from the Oneonta Tunnel. However, the area surrounding the tunnel remains closed until the construction project is complete. Work remaining includes reconstruction of the portals and the timber lining and completion of the parking area east of the tunnel. The project is expected to be finished in 2008. Access to the Oneonta Gorge for hiking and sightseeing is available at the west end of the Oneonta Bridge. Home | About Us | Highway Needs | Contribute | Events | History Website maintained by Teresa Kasner |
