Christmas Flood of 1964 Rhododendron Oregon – In late December 1964, as the Mountain was preparing for Christmas, the weather in the upper Sandy River valley began to shift quickly. A warm Chinook wind swept into the region, accompanied by days of heavy rain, melting a deep early-winter snowpack while frozen ground prevented the water from soaking in.
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.
Arlie Edward Mitchell was born on December 6, 1886, near Sandy, Oregon. Raised in the shadow of Mount Hood, he grew up with a deep connection to the mountain and the communities that surrounded it.
In the 1920s, development around Mount Hood was on the rise. The construction of the Mount Hood Loop Highway opened the southern side of the mountain to auto tourism, making it possible to visit Government Camp year-round — at least in theory
Located along U.S. Highway 26, Sandy, Oregon is the last major town before reaching Mount Hood. It serves as a gateway for travelers heading to ski resorts, hiking trails, and high country lakes. The town is small but active, with a population of about 13,000 and a long history of logging, farming, and outdoor tourism. Sandy is also a center of community life for nearby rural towns like Brightwood, Welches, and Rhododendron.
