Historic Hood River
Crown Point
6-3-2015
Notes
This fine postcard of the newly completed Columbia River Highway shows the wonderful placement of the pavilion at Crown Point. It still impresses when you round the corner at this point. ODOT is doing some selective brush and tree removal alongside the highway to reopen some of these historic vistas.
This view predates the construction of Vista House, which was dedicated on May 5, 1918.
Kenn
I thought it was called Thor’s point until the vista house was constructed forming the crown?.
brian murray
a long time resident –who shall remain nameless– told me that because of the marble etc., folks used to commonly call it Teddys million dollar crapper. maybe not classy, but still a part of area history. that should not detract from the fact that probably millions of people have enjoyed it for the view as well as for a rest stop.
Brian
L.E.
As the "Friends of the Vista House" website says:
"The original, less elaborate structure was to cost about $17,000. The final design resulted in a completed building costing $99,148.05. The Oregon Journal editorial called it "the most expensive comfort station in the world."
As a kid growing up, I heard a lot of derogatory remarks made about the cost of the vista house so it must have made an impression on a couple of generations.
During the 1960’s we knew of it as falling into dis-repair.
During the creation of the Columbia Gorge Scenic Act, there was a lot of bitterness, some of which I myself feel, from people who lived on the farms across the river on the Washington side. The Washington side, "Mt Pleasant", has more liveable, and farming terrain than the Oregon side. It became difficult to do anything with your farm because people wanted the view to remain "pristine and untouched."
Now, as the view is becoming blocked by trees, I think we will see more tree removal.
Bill Seaton
I like this picture! It is the first time I have seen this view without the Vista House in it.
Arlen Sheldrake
Yes, Brian. Million Dollar toilet is what father John always described it. Arlen
Longshot
To put the $99,148 price for the Vista House into perspective, that amount of money would have bought 250 Model T Fords in 1915.
judy
When they "repaired" the Vista House, it could not remain the same. It had to have physically disabled access. Now there is a different approach to the house for this access.