Oregon Historical Photo: Sam Hills Columbia River Highway

Local | NW Life | Oregon Historical Photo Of The Week

OPB | Sept. 15, 2014 midnight

Motorists pause to take in the view from a parapet just below Crown Point Vista House along the newly opened Columbia River Highway. Gelatin silver print from a photograph by George Weister, ca.1918.

The Oregon Historical Society. George Weister Photographs, Weister 19183, Org Lot60

Every week,Oregon Experience shares a photo highlighting the states diverse, exciting history. All photos are courtesy of The Oregon Historical Society.

Former railroad man Sam Hill pulled Oregon out of the mud in the early 1900s with a road system connecting farm to market and city to countryside. Perhaps his greatest achievement was championing a paved highway that carried motorists between the states high desert and the outskirts of Portland, through the beautiful, rugged Columbia River Gorge.

Inspired by the grand scenic roads of Europe, Hill envisioned a modern boulevard that would be part of this stunning landscape. Hill had to overcome many obstacles before work began on the Columbia River Highway in 1913. The Highway was dedicated in the summer of 1916. Travelers between The Dalles and Troutdale encountered surprising vistas: cascading waterfalls, bridges arching over canyons and rocks jutting overhead.

Anticipating the future of the automobile, Sam Hill was also involved with construction of the Pacific Highway (99), Highway 101 along the coast and a road to Crater Lake.

To learn more about Sam Hill and his legacy, watch a rebroadcast of the Oregon Experience documentary Sam Hill on Monday, September 22 at 9:30 p.m. on OPB TV or view it here onlineanytime.

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Oregon Historical Photo: Sam Hills Columbia River Highway