The American Swiss Model Garden near Brightwood, Oregon, was once one of the more unusual roadside attractions along the Mount Hood Highway. Built in the early 1950s, it offered visitors a miniature alpine village set in the woods—complete with trains, gardens, and carefully arranged landscapes.
For many years, the Cock-a-Doodle-Do Inn existed in obscurity and long-lost memories. One day an old photo was found in the Mt Hood Cultural Center and Museum’ in Government Camp’s archives labeled simply as being on the Mount Hood Loop Road. It was a cute cabin style log building with a profile of a rooster on the peak of its roof and a sign that read, “1/2 Chicken and Hot Biscuit” There was no other context or explanation to where it sat in its day.
Before paved highways and modern bridges crossed the Mount Hood corridor, the pioneers who settled this region faced rugged terrain, rough trails, and river fords. One of the most vivid accounts of those early days comes from Mrs. J.T. McIntyre, an early settler of the Welches area
This is an early view of when Billy Welch’s Ranch was in transition from a camp ground to an era of summer cabins.
The Mountain View Inn was originally the home of Lena Little, wife of pioneer homesteader Francis C. Little. The building was relocated from its original place to the main road through Government Camp.
