Historic Hood River
McDonald’s Crossing
3-9-2023
Notes
This May 1955 Alva Day image of the monument at the McDonald’s Ferry Crossing of the John Day River was one of his last. The plaque says:
1843-Old Oregon Trail Ford of the John Day River-1883
Emigrants on the old Oregon Trail forded the John Day River near this spot from 1843 to 1863.
Thomas Scott established a ferry here in 1858.
Daniel G. Leonard build a bridge near here in 1866.
Thousands of settlers passed this way until the completion of the railroad in 1884
With all the transportation options we have today it’s hard to imagine a time when something like the John Day River proved a serious impediment to travel.
starboard
More signs info. This is at top of canyon rim after coming thru river westbound. one can zoom inn to read the sign: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oregon+Trail+Monument/@45.5832631,-120.4563952,-18a,41.5y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPlFoiXZXN_TlA9piXC3gOJcLtctBRTU1zVOD6V!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPlFoiXZXN_TlA9piXC3gOJcLtctBRTU1zVOD6V%3Dw203-h135-k-no!7i6000!8i4000!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x54bd771a5fa629a7:0xd1dd01c5c11e9f73!2sMcDonalds+Crossing+John+Day+river!8m2!3d45.5941065!4d-120.4099757!16s%2Fg%2F11rc5z17rv!3m5!1s0x54bd770795a6e1f5:0x65bd398364236f01!8m2!3d45.5833745!4d-120.4561089!16s%2Fg%2F11jz16j29s
and Google map location of crossing: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oregon+Trail+Monument/@45.593354,-120.4184581,4641m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x54bd771a5fa629a7:0xd1dd01c5c11e9f73!2sMcDonalds+Crossing+John+Day+river!8m2!3d45.5941065!4d-120.4099757!16s%2Fg%2F11rc5z17rv!3m5!1s0x54bd770795a6e1f5:0x65bd398364236f01!8m2!3d45.5833745!4d-120.4561089!16s%2Fg%2F11jz16j29s
L.E.
Now, when you travel I-84 you hardly realize you are crossing the John Day and Deschutes Rivers. Each of those probably added an extra day to the travel of the pioneers. Also, as we drive along the Columbia River, we don’t think about being thirsty, but for the wagon trains up on the plateau, water was scarce until they dropped down into these rivers.
Patrick L Arthur
Hello my name is Pat, I’ve been looking around here a couple Months.
Arthur I thank you for a decade of work!
I grew up in Sherman county, live in Wasco co. and worked in Hood River co.
and I love old photos.
My sister married a Hilderbrand,I did not know of Alta Walters and really enjoyed seeing 1900ish photos of Klondike.
Harold
This is an easy spot to visit and you can still drive down very close to the river (and walk) as well as walk the OR trail itself. Lots of wind turbines.