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Hood River Bridge

Hood River, Oregon

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,831. In 2010, the population is estimated to have reached 7,167. Hood River post office was established at the site of the present city on September 30, 1858, and the city itself was incorporated in 1895.

Hood River is located on the Columbia River directly opposite White Salmon, Washington. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km), of which 2.0 square miles (5.2 km) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km) (28.97%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 5,831 people, 2,429 households, and 1,442 families residing in the city.

The population density was 2,839.4 people per square mile (1,098.2 per km²). There were 2,645 housing units at an average density of 1,288.0 per square mile (498.2 per km²).

Downtown The Dalles, Oregon

The Dalles, Oregon

Known as the end of the Oregon Trail, The Dalles was where pioneers loaded their wagons onto rafts or barges and floated down the Columbia to the mouth of the Willamette River, then upriver to Oregon City. The Barlow Trail was constructed later to permit an overland crossing.

The Dalles was the site of Fort Dalles. Established in 1850 to protect immigrants after the Whitman massacre, it was the only military post between the Pacific Coast and Wyoming. The only building left of Fort Dalles is the Surgeon's Quarters, which has been incorporated into the Fort Dalles Museum. Fort Dalles Museum features a collection of military artifacts, household goods and old medical equipment. It's a favorite stop on The Dalles Old Town walking tour. Oregon's oldest bookstore, Klindt's (315 E 2nd St), is also part of the tour. Established in 1870, it contains the original wood floors, and oak and plate glass display cases, as well as a selection of books well worth browsing.

Sorosis Park is a 15 acre park located high above The Dalles on the cliffs. It's worth visiting just for the view of the river, the town and the mountains. Park facilities include picnic tables, a playground, rose gardens and tennis courts.

Recreation in The Dalles area includes windsurfing, fishing and camping. The Dalles has a reputation for being the best place to learn windsurfing. A favorite windsurfing starting point is Celio Park, nine miles east of The Dalles. Anglers can try for walleye and sturgeon in the Columbia River. Campers can cross the river to the Washington side and visit Horsethief State Park, the site of some of the most famous pictographs along the Columbia River. The park includes Horsethief Lake, where visitors can fish, swim or picnic.

Downtown White Salmon

White Salmon, Washington

White Salmon is a city in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. It is located in the Columbia River Gorge. The population was 2,193 at the 2000 census and increased 1.4% to 2,224 at the 2010 census.

White Salmon was first settled in 1852 by Erastus Joslyn and his wife. White Salmon was officially incorporated on June 3, 1907.

White Salmon's current city government includes Mayor David Poucher, city council members Bob Landgren and Richard Marx, both elected to 4 year terms in 2007, and council members Anthony Coulter and Mark Peppel, elected in 2009. Adrian Bradford joined the city council in 2010 after former councilmember Leana Johnson's resignation.

Main Street Stevenson Washington

Stevenson, Washington

Stevenson is a town in Skamania County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,465 at the 2010 census, a 22% increase over 2000. It is the county seat of Skamania County and home to the Skamania County Court House and Sheriff's Office. Stevenson is home to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, which focuses on several tribes that were once located near the Columbia River.

Stevenson is named for early settler George H. Stevenson. Stevenson was officially incorporated on December 16, 1907.

Vista House Corbett Oregon

Corbett, Oregon

This community on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Sandy River and Crown Point was named for Senator Henry Winslow Corbett, one of Oregon's prominent pioneer citizens, for many years a resident of Portland. In 1885, Mr. Corbett purchased a nearby farm from Ervine J. Taylor, who had moved down to the Columbia River about the time the railroad was built in 1882. For a concise biography of Mr. Corbett, see Carey's History of Oregon. Scott's History of the Oregon Country has biographical information about Senator Corbett, and Harvey W. Scott's tribute.

For many years there was a station named Corbett on the Union Pacific Railroad at the base of the bluff below the community. The station is gone, but there is a small commercial cluster where Corbett Hill Road leaves 1-84 and climbs the hill to connect to the historic highway. The first post office at what is now Corbett was Leader, established in July 1881.

The name of this office was changed to Taylor in 1882 and moved down to the river by Ervine Taylor. Corbett post office was later established December 20, 1895, with William H. H. Reed first postmaster. Reed Island on the Washington side of the Columbia River was named for Reed who lived there until washed out by the 1894 flood, after which he moved up to Corbett.

Welcome Signs at Cascade Locks, Oregon

Cascade Locks Oregon

Just a stone's throw from the Bridge of the Gods, this magnificent building houses a 37ft. fish wheel and a restored 19th century steam engine. The center features exhibits from the cataclysmic formation of the Columbia River Gorge, to the histories and art of native tribes and early pioneers.

If hands-on history is more your style, then head out Highway 14, the Lewis & Clark Scenic Highway. Interpretive signs along the way let you retrace the footsteps of the expedition. Follow the trail to Beacon Rock, where Lewis and Clark first noticed the tidewaters on the Columbia River some 200 years ago. Families and history-buffs alike will enjoy the trail at Fort Cascades, or exploring the magnificent Bonneville Dam.

Ancient petroglyphs aren't the only art in town. Stevenson is also home to the River House Art Gallery, Don Perry Metal Art and others. Buy fine art from local artists, or just peruse everything from watercolors of the Gorge to modern sculpture. Why not take in a live performance while you are here? Check out the schedule of Skamania Performing Arts Foundation for everything ranging from music to musicals.