Historic Hood River
Lancaster’s Columbia Gorge Camp
Notes
Welcome to Lancaster’s Columbia Gorge Camp. Looks like the fishing is good.
With the completion of the Columbia River Highway, Samuel Lancaster, highway engineer, established three camps “similar to those which have been established in the National Parks.” They boasted “the pleasures of camp life with the conveniences of hotel accommodations.” Meals and service in the camps were provided by Reed College students. They were supposed to open in 1922, though apparently the Wahtum Lake Camp and Lost Lake Camp did not open that year.
According to the back of this postcard the camps were:
Lancaster’s Columbia Gorge Camp– Reached by the Columbia River Highway after a two hour drive from Portland is the Columbia Gorge Camp. Situated upon a high bluff between Bonneville and Eagle Creek the camp afford a magnificent view of the gorge of the Columbia. Tents are completely furnished including electric lights and water. Eagle creek nearby offers excellent fishing and furnishes a delightful plunge for hot days.
Lancaster’s Wahtum Lake Camp– This beautiful mountain lake is reached by trail from the Columbia Gorge Camp after a hike of fourteen miles. The Wahtum Lake Camp will be open by August 1.
Lancaster’s Lost Lake Camp– Owing to heavy mountain snows, the new road in to Lost Lake will not open to traffic this year. Opening of the Lost Lake Camp will therefore be postponed until next summer.
Charlott
Obvious a staged photo.
Longshot
Would the Columbia Gorge Camp been on top of Tooth Rock?
L.E.
Not sure those are pine trees in the photo.
Did the Wahtum Lake Camp develop into existence? That is a long hike for many people. If the camp did exist, I wonder how the Reed College students and supplies arrived.
Arthur
I suspect the Wahtum Lake Camp was designed as a horse camp. Not sure if it was ever opened– hopefully someone will weigh in with more research.
L.E.
There is some description here. Perhaps this is the Eagle Creek site.
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/across/eaglecr.html
The June 11, 1922 Oregon Journal says Lancaster’s Columbia Gorge camp is at the divide of the Cascade mountains…..The camp proper is situated on a 300 foot bluff opposite Bradford Island and its 72 acres extend from the state fish hatcheries at Bonneville to Eagle creek….
https://www.newspapers.com/image/78476269/
In 1922 there was a meeting in Portland of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America. Lancaster’s chain of camps in the Cascade mountains was on on the agenda, with descriptive write ups about the camps in the church newsletter. The hiking and fishing are promoted.
I suspect the two mountain camps were not opened for this event.
There are indications there was already a Boy Scout camp at Wahtum Lake.
cg
http://www.recreatingthehistoriccolumbiariverhighway.org/historic-columbia-river-highway/tanner-creek-to-eagle-creek/camp-get-a-way
This link provides some additional information and pictures about Columbia Gorge camp
Kenn
The boy scout camp at Wahtum Lake mentioned above by LE was established in 1918 and burned in 1925 while camp was in session. The scouts hiked fourteen miles up Eagle Creek to camp but their personal gear, equipment and supplies came up Herman Creek by pack train. At four AM after the 1925 fire the scouts started hiking out with no food available. There is still pipe evident in the PCT trail just north of the lake and evidence of camp sites. After that all scout camps were on scout property, starting with Camp Meriwether on the Oregon coast.
Kenn
Surprised to see "Whispering Pines Camp" in fir country and with only Douglas firs in the picture.