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2008 Gorge Ride Over 340 people enjoyed the Gorge Ride on June 14, 2008. Click on the 2008 Gorge Ride icon above for the story and photos. Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail Clean up Story and photos of the trail clean up will be posted soon. Check here again. Oneonta Tunnel Grand Reopening Two dozen vintage vehicles and one antique bike highlighted the Grand Opening of the Oneonta Tunnel on March 21, 2009. About 200 people joined in the celebration, which included Boy Scout Troop 542 as Honor Guard and the Portland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Speeches highlighted the multi-agency partnership required to reopen this tunnel, which had been closed for more than 60 years. Oregon Department of Transportation took the lead, assisted by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Office of the USDA Forest Service. The Western Federal Lands Highway Division of Federal Highway Administration provided funding for the project. Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel spoke about restoration of this section of the highway that was originally constructed by the County. Also Jeanette Kloos, President, Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway highlighted the future projects needed to reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway, extending the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail from eleven miles to twenty-three miles, connecting the cities of Cascade Locks and Hood River. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cidermaster/sets/72157615761407898/ and Come visit this restored tunnel and marvel at the craftsmanship employed to replicate the original look. More photos are available at ftp://198.145.188.2/pub/Enhancements/HCRH/Oneonta/
The Fall 2008 Self-Guided Tour and Lecture The Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway partnered with the Architectural Heritage Center for a self-guided tour and lecture in September 2008. The Lecture On September 25 a standing-room-only crowd gathered at the Architectural Heritage Center in Portland, Oregon, to hear an illustrated lecture about the Historic Columbia River Highway. Speakers included: Robert Hadlow, PhD, Senior Historian, Oregon Department of Transportation; David Sell, recently retired from Western Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration and George Fekaris, a current employee of Western Federal Lands Highway Division. The presentation was developed for the 2008 International Roads Congress in Paris. The connection between the first 1908 International Roads Congress and the development of the Historic Columbia River Highway was explained, including the influence of the Axenstrasse tunnel on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland on the design of the Mitchell Point Tunnel. The presentation included the full history of the highway, including the destruction during construction of Interstate 84 (for example, Mitchell Point Tunnel was destroyed in 1966 when the water grade highway was widened to four lanes) and the restoration and reconnection work that has occurred since the highway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Self-Guided Tour On September 27, people were invited to experience the highway and learn from highway experts at seven different locations. About 70 people enjoyed the sunny fall day, beginning at the Troutdale Historical Society, where Sharon Nesbit described how local people developed “traps” (gas stations, restaurants and road houses) along the highway. More photos are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cidermaster/sets/72157615761407898/ and ftp://198.145.188.2/pub/Enhancements/HCRH/Oneonta/At the second stop Gary Law provided a tour of the Springdale school; fundraising efforts have just begun for the community to acquire the building from the school district and restore it. Also, Clarence Mershon narrated photos of the highway and Steve Lehl displayed historic postcards. The Crown Point Country Historical Society Museum was open for participants to browse. The third stop on the tour was Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, where Robert Hadlow described the “view and the vision” (the beginning of the highway with a meeting of the Multnomah County Commission at this location). At Vista House, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manager Kevin Price and Friends of Vista House President Henry Kunowski provided insights on the recent restoration of Vista House. At the fifth stop at Shepperds Dell, Master Mason Alan Ash and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Landscape Architect Mark Davison provided information about the masonry along the highway and the “designed landscapes” created during the highway construction. USDA Forest Service employee Sam Oakland provided information about the changes in Multnomah Falls Lodge over time. Oregon Department of Transportation’s John Smith discussed the reopening of the Oneonta Tunnel, including an oil can, cable and large bolt that were found inside the tunnel. Oil Can and Large Bolt Oneonta Tunnel Also at the Oneonta Tunnel, Jeanette Kloos, President of Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, described the future trail projects needed to reconnect the highway. An “Insider’s Tour” booklet was provided to all the tour participants. The booklet contains many other little known facts about this famous highway. Copies of the booklet are available for sale at the Troutdale Historical Society Museum. 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. The Take Care of Oregon Days project is inspiring citizens across Oregon to role up their sleeves and give back to their communities. The goal? To have 500 projects and 20,000 volunteers improve the quality of life for everyone throughout the month of May. Let’s get started and make our best assets shine. 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. Home | About Us | Highway Needs | Contribute | Volunteer | Donors Website maintained by Teresa Kasner |
