Historic Hood River
Multnomah Falls on Opening Day
6-1-2015
Notes
Later this week marks the 99th anniversary of the dedication of the Columbia River Highway, so let’s look at another fine set of period postcard.
This wonderful Weister card shows the crowds at Multnomah Falls on that opening day, June 7, 1916. The card highlights the “fairy-like beauty of the Benson footbridge that spans these waters before the second fall of 70 feet and their final unison with the Columbia River.”
Category: default
Tags: 1910s, Columbia River Highway, Multnomah Falls, postcard, waterfalls, Weister
Tags: 1910s, Columbia River Highway, Multnomah Falls, postcard, waterfalls, Weister
Kenn
Nice crowd but a bit of a traffic obstruction. There are pictures of the falls with no bridge and again with a wood log bridge.
All week end I look forward to these posts resuming, especially when they are transportation related. I notice they always come on at exactly 0700, I assume they are posted at a previous time and delayed.
L.E.
Looks like whomever was coloring the photo got tired of coloring in the people.
I agree Ken. Weekends are nice, but I sure miss HHR.
Dan
At this point Arthur probably has several hundred que’d up scheduled for 7am departure.
Charlott
Good old Multnomah Falls. Bill Seaton and I share quite a story of that place, don’t we Bill…….Could have resulted in disaster and if it had of neither of us would be here, right….
Buzz
Prettiest spot on one of the best 50 mile runs in the US. I like it best at sunrise, going West from HR.
Arlen Sheldrake
Our Gorge is one of the greatest places on this planet…..we are very lucky to live here.
OK Charlott, Bill will need to spill the story when we lunch with Pete Jubitz next Monday.
Charlott
Last week I made a trip to Portland and I noticed prior to getting to Multnomah Falls and for some distance on west, how the big trees are dying of disease. Could one venture a guess that within 5 years all those beautiful old trees will be dead.
Yes, Arlen, Bill can tell you the story…..
Longshot
How many of the people shown in the photo would have come by car verses by train??? Must have taken most every car in Portland at that time if they all came by automobile. There is at least one car on the bridge heading west, maybe two.
Arlen Sheldrake
Good point Longshot, bet there is a long passenger train sitting there just out of view. One of my favorite lunch spots, window seat watching the visitors, speculating on the languages they are speaking and occasionally seeing a UP freight bust through. This remains Oregon’s most visited spot….Life is good……
nels
Could this photo have been shot from the top of a train, or ….?
Bill Seaton
Ah, yes, I do remember the story…and that is a beautiful picture of the Falls. I wish it still looked like that.
Jim Gray
Charlott; there was a fire that was started near the falls about ten years ago that the trees are really standing out now when everything else turns green this time of year. But I have noticed a section in the lower elevations that are turning brown as well before the falls.
Kenn
Charlott, could the trees you think diseased be from the fire a few years ago?
Nels, I agree with you the photographer must have been on top of a train, unless he had a skyhook.
The RR grade was until 1907 exactly where the 1915 bridge was built., I have copies of photos of this and the original RR waiting shelter. The RR grade from The Dalles to Troutdale was almost completely rebuilt and straightened in the 1907-1910 era.
Longshot
The "Multnomah" Falls Fire was in the fall of 1991, almost 24 years ago now. A few years passes quickly doesn’t it. 🙂
Bill Pattison
Help save this wonderful creation. The deciduous trees need to be removed back to the view site of 1916. The automobile parking problem is out of hand, with no real solution in site. Please contact ODOT with your comments. (or me}
Bill P, HCRH AC
nels
If that is USFS land I think there may be a law against removing dead or dying trees and just letting natural actions take their course.
Steve r
In respect and in appreciation of those who walked and lived here before us…
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/ALegendOfMultnomahFalls-Wasco.html
L.E.
Well, that was not cheerful reading.
Speaking of trees, Multnomah Falls is getting harder to see from Washington’s Highway 14 because of the trees growing up, leafing out and getting in the way.
judy
Allen, Heard that Pete is getting married. GREAT! Anyhow, last time I went past the falls, the lot was closed……too many cars. Boy, have things changed.
Longshot
Here is another picture of the falls from the same era
http://oregonhistoryproject.org/media/uploads/bb0031582.jpg
Steve r
L.E. – try looking again ! 🙂
L.E.
Oh….yes! There she is!
Still not very cheerful. And I don’t think she hung around for Longshot’s Benjamin Gifford photo. Too cold!!
Notice the people sitting in the dining car eating?
Where were these photos taken from? Was there a rock that was removed to build the freeway?
Charlott
I stand corrected about the trees dying. Yes, now I recall the fire and agree it is probably from that….
Steve r
I noted her again just the other morning in the falls in person while driving by- even with the low water flow- it seems the best time to see her might be during west wind days here in the central gorge when the cloud cover – marine layer is over PDX- as it may be the wind that moves the water over as it swirls about in front of the falls. The next I see her – It be neat to get the angle of the wind and wind speed at Rooster Rock nearby to perhaps forecast her appearance.