Historic Hood River
Celilo Falls
6-3-2026
Notes
This view of Celilo Falls probably dates to about 1910. I’ve left more resolution than usual so you can see both the wide angle view for context and some of the details. There’s a nice grouping of fishing boats, two groups of men fishing with dip nets, and a view of the structures they built to aid fishing. This view looks a bit different from the other’s we’ve shared.
Arlen
my memory of visits to the Falls were two: the smell and the noise. a favorite picture of the Falls is on my wall, as many wise folk say, the Falls is still there waiting.
Lani Roberts
My dad took we kids to the falls and I still remember the sound, the mist, the feeling. I too have a photo of the Falls on my living room wall.
L.E.
The huge sand piles is something we don’t see any more.
Arthur Babitz
Yes, LE, the dams on the river have done a very good job suppressing the sand transport by the river. The free-running Columbia had many sandy beaches, while few remain today. I know of the one near Rooster Rock.
Thorn
How sad we can’t see the Columbia running wild the way she was. Even sadder, having drowned the center of our Native history and the biggest waterfall in North America.
Thorn
I just noticed that right center edge is a structure more like a wall or wooden weir dam than a fishing scaffold. Does anyone know if that was constructed by the Natives or the settlers? I’m guessing it’s to protect the fishing structures, or am I wrong?
Morganne
Amazing photo!! Thanks for sharing, Arthur.