Historic Hood River
View from the Cheap Seats
6-19-2018
Notes
Here’s the view Albert Kollas and his crew had of the festivities at the June 7, 1916 dedication of the Columbia River Highway. The Royal Rosarians are appearing under their banner. If you look closely you can see the King and Queen behind the little girls. What a thrill it must have been to drive from Hood River all the way to Multnomah Falls.
Kenn
I remember many years ago explaining the dedication to some of the boys in my scout troop, a good day until one of them asked if I was there ~
Charlott
I am assuming that this is at Multnomah Falls. The main program was up at Vista House with the Queen, who was the Rose Festival Queen. She was Muriel Saling that year.
Ofcourse I have no idea as to the location, but it looks like it could be right there in that area adjacent to the lodge????
Arthur
Well Kenn– were you?
Arthur
Small correction, Charlott– Vista House wasn’t yet constructed, but I understand there was a program at its location (Crown Point) and then at Multnomah Falls (which we see here). In 2016 we rededicated the highway with a program at each location. There were speeches and cannons at Crown Point, then many more speeches and performances at Multnomah Falls. I personally found the drive in vintage vehicles more fun than then speeches.
L.E.
Kenn, do you remember King Joy, who outside his festive office was Til Taylor, Sheriff of Umatilla County and president of the Pendleton Round-Up?
Queen Muriel and her retinue traveled to Multnomah Falls to formerly dedicate the Columbia River Highway. They then traveled west to Vista House, to dedicate the Vista House. Two separate dedications. A very busy day for the Royal Court.
Lots of information in this issue of the Morning Oregonian
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83025138/1916-06-07/ed-1/
In 1916, this procedure had to be amazing:
A guillotine that was used to launch the battleship Oregon in 1893, was used to dedicate the Highway. In Washington DC, 3000 miles away, President Wilson pushes a button. An electric current will release the guillotine at Crown Point, which cuts a rope and unfurls the flag.
A lot of pomp and circumstance in this dedication party, but that is pretty amazing.
Arthur
Construction of Vista House began in December 1916, and it was dedicated May 5, 1918.
The events of June 7, 1916 included unfurling a flag at Crown Point, future site of Vista House, triggered by President Wilson pressing a button at the White House.
L.E.
Thanks Arthur. Charlott and I can’t seem to get our history right. Good thing we have you around.
L.E.
But, we have an excuse. We weren’t around when Kenn was there.
Buzz
Kenn, professional jealousy combined with geriatric abuse is not pretty..
Dave John
Wilson eventually made it to Crown point in person.