Columbia River Gorge Area Info
Michael & Suzanne Maurer
Brokers ~ OR
Assoc. Brokers ~ WA
Windermere, Glenn Taylor Real Estate
504 Cascade Street
Hood River, Oregon
541.386.2831
800.755.7544
CASCADE LOCKS, AN OVERVIEW
Cascade Locks sits on the south shore of the Columbia River, 45 miles from downtown Portland. The city stretches for 4 miles along the shoreline, and is surrounded by green lush vegetation on three sides, and the deep blue of the Columbia River to the north. The north view towards the Washington Cascades is truly spectacular.The City of Cascade Locks first began to prosper in the late 1800's when construction of the navigation locks and the railroad brought many people to the area. Work was plentiful as the locks were completed in 1896, allowing for easier navigation of the river.
In 1926 construction began on the man-made Bridge of the Gods, replacing the ancient and legendary natural stone bridge. The Bridge of the Gods was built to provide clearance over the rising waters behind Bonneville Dam. The United States Army Corps of Engineers opened the newly-constructed Bonneville Dam in 1937 and the Bridge of the Gods was raised in 1938.
Those who live and work in this historic town know a good thing when they find it. The city's residents value their lifestyle options and intend to keep and improve them - from small town intimacy, to metropolitan proximity, to rural quiet - all amid a stunning setting and supported by high quality facilities and services.
The City provides general government services as well as various utility services including: electrical distribution, cable television, water, sewer and streets services. Residents and employers benefit from the City's proximity to Mt. Hood Community College, a local junior college offering a full range of vocational training courses geared to meet the needs of area industries.
Area industries are able to take advantage of superior transportation methods. The area is fully served by high-quality rail, highway, port and international air transportation.
The City of Cascade Locks enjoys a temperate, seasonal climate with year round gardening and hiking. The area receives approximately 70 inches of rainfall during the months of October through May. Light accumulations of snow occur in January, February and March. The summers in Cascade Locks can be quite hot with temperatures reaching into the 80-100 degree range.
HISTORY
Cascade Locks grew from a small settlement of Indians and three white families who were there in 1853, to a booming construction town with all the flavor of the Old West. By 1893, there were about 1,000 inhabitants, many living in tents, shacks, and other temporary buildings. There were many saloons, traders, and all of the get-rich-quick people and things that go along with a boom town. There were no church or services held in town until a stone cutter by the name of William Hoskins organized a Sunday school. It was during this time that the town was known as "Whiskey Flats". Unlike the typical boomtown it didn't die out after the money wasn't in great abundance, and after the locks were completed, the town became Cascade Locks. The Cascade Locks museum is located near the old navigation locks and harbors the "Oregon Pony", the first steam locomotive built on the Pacific Coast, and the first to be used in Oregon Territory. It began service in Cascade Locks in 1862.
**This data obtained courtesy of the Hood River Chamber of Commerce.
