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Adolf Aschoff Marmot, Oregon

Adolf Aschoff and Marmot, Oregon’s History

Marmot, Oregon: A Place More Than a Town

Marmot, Oregon, is a place more than it is a town. It is located along the last stretch of the Oregon Trail, the old plank-covered Barlow Road. Between 1883 and 1930, it was a destination for many people who came to experience the great outdoors and to launch their adventures on Mount Hood.

Located in the forested foothills on the west side of Mount Hood, about six miles east of the town of Sandy, Marmot is situated on a ridge with the Sandy River to the south and the Little Sandy River and Bull Run to the north. It was a wilderness when Marmot was established.

The Man Behind Marmot: Adolf Aschoff

The story of Marmot is less about a town or a place than it is about a man. Marmot’s pioneer and developer of the town’s commercial ventures, such as its store, hotel, stables, and museum, was Johann Adolf (Adolph) Aschoff. There were no other businesses there.

Aschoff was even Marmot’s postmaster when the post office was established in 1890, where he kept meticulous records in perfect penmanship. A German immigrant, he cemented his name into the fabric and history of Mount Hood and the south side towns between Sandy and Government Camp and, indeed, the whole Mount Hood National Forest.

From Germany to America

Adolf Aschoff was born in Celle, Hanover, Germany, on May 21, 1849. He was the son of a shoe manufacturer who was said to have descended from Russian royalty. Although he was educated for the clergy, his love for the outdoors led him down a different path.

His father wanted his children to be educated and cultured and not have to work in the factories as he had. Adolf’s education covered language, history, theology, art, music, and physical sciences. At sixteen, he worked with the Royal Forester—an experience that would serve him well throughout his life. He was also a talented musician, artist, storyteller, and one of Mount Hood’s earliest photographers.

Aschoff's Mountain Home — Aschoff’s Mountain Home

Escape from Germany: Political Exile

In 1866, at the age of 17, Adolf organized a club of enthusiastic young men called the “Maybugs.” Their activities varied from studying to fun-making and, perhaps, a little political activism. However, they soon found themselves in trouble with Prussian officers during the Austro-Prussian War.

Although Hanover tried to remain neutral, in June of 1866, Germany mobilized troops against Prussia, leading to Hanover’s dissolution and annexation by Prussia. That summer, 17,000 Prussian soldiers crossed the Hanover boundary. Adolf and his Maybugs taunted the invading soldiers and plastered anti-Prussian posters around town, making him unpopular with the Prussians.

One night, after an altercation where several Prussian officers were knocked down, Adolf was forced to flee. He later claimed that he escaped to a lake, where he stayed submerged—except for his face—for an entire day. Eventually, he found refuge with a female benefactor, rumored to be Princess Fredericka, who helped him escape. He made his way to Austria, then to France, and later to England, where a forged passport allowed him passage to America as a political exile.

Bachelor Cabin - Aschoff's Mountain Home — Bachelor Cabin – Aschoff’s Mountain Home

Life in America: Kansas and the Journey West

Adolf arrived in New York in November 1869 aboard the steamer Nebraska. He first worked as a woodcarver and engraver, but New York was too crowded for him. He moved to New Jersey, then Illinois, and finally to Kansas in 1871, where he and his brother Ernest homesteaded.

In 1872, Adolf married Dorotea “Dora” Gein in Rush County, Kansas. Dora was born in Germany on November 21, 1853, and had immigrated to America with her parents when she was 14. They started a farm in Kansas, where their first four children were born.

Adolf loved telling stories about his time in Kansas. He claimed to have met Calamity Jane and was hired by Buffalo Bill Cody to hunt buffalo for the railroads.

While in Kansas, he watched wagon trains pass by on their way to Oregon. In 1882, he and Dora decided to follow them. They left their homestead and moved to Portland, Oregon, where they lived near Mt. Tabor and sold vegetables.

Adolf was described as looking like a nobleman, with a trim goatee, elegant manners, and a strong German accent. His talent for storytelling and artistic and musical abilities made it easy for him to gather influential friends in the city. These connections later helped him develop his resort in Marmot.

Founding Marmot, Oregon

In the spring of 1883, Adolf and Dora moved to Marmot, purchasing 240 acres along the last section of the Oregon Trail for $900.

Adolf never intended to run a resort, but his Portland friends encouraged him to. He built guest cabins, entertaining boarders for 50 cents per day or $3 per week. Business grew quickly. By 1902, Aschoff’s Mountain Home had expanded to 23 rooms, featuring wraparound balconies, a dining hall for 100 guests, and comfortable lodging.

The Naming of Marmot

In 1890, Adolf established the post office and named the area “Marmot.” Interestingly, he later discovered that the burrows he thought were made by marmots actually belonged to mountain beavers, but the name remained.

A Guide and Forest Supervisor

On May 19, 1897, Adolf was appointed the first Forest Ranger for the Cascade Range Forest Reserve (which later became the Mount Hood National Forest). He blazed the Skyline Trail between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson. However, bureaucratic conflicts led him to resign in 1906.

Tragedy and Decline

In 1914, tragedy struck. Adolf and Dora’s youngest son, Gustav, drowned in the Sandy River. Just weeks later, their oldest daughter, Mary, died after a long illness.

Four years later, Dora also passed away. With Dora gone, the children growing older, and the new Mount Hood Loop Highway bypassing Marmot, the resort began to decline. Adolf remained there until 1929, when he sold everything to Percy Shelley.

Adolf was heartbroken, saying, “I cannot tell you how I feel giving up my place. My nine children grew up here, and I have gone through all kinds of hardships, but only God and I know how much I have loved it here.”

On May 16, 1930, Adolf Aschoff passed away in Portland.

Mazama's at Marmot Oregon — Mazama’s at Marmot Oregon

The End of an Era

On July 4, 1931, Aschoff’s Mountain Home burned to the ground. The Shelley family lost everything. The remaining buildings quickly fell into disrepair.

Today, little remains of Marmot, yet those who pass through can still imagine what it must have been like at its peak, and why Adolf Aschoff loved it so deeply.

Source Information:
Photos from the Gary Randall collection
Information Bill White, Brightwood, Oregon
Sandy Pioneers, Early Settlers and Barlow Road Days – Sandy Historical Society
Jack Grauer – The Illustrated History of Mount Hood
Various newspaper articles from the period

Discover More Mount Hood History

If you love learning about Oregon’s past, check out more stories at MountHoodHistory.com.

Do you have memories or stories about Adolf Aschoff or Marmot Oregon? Share them in the comments below!

Marmot, Oregon

Marmot is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States located in the Mount Hood Corridor. It is within the boundaries of the

Adolph Aschoff

of Oregon in the late 19th century. He established the community of Marmot, Oregon in the western foothills of Mount Hood in the late 19th century. Most

Mount Hood Highway at Alder Creek 1939

Alder Creek is a little town half way between Sandy and Welches Oregon on today’s Highway 26.

The Ivy Bear at Alder Creek

Feb 15, 2017 … If anyone can ID the folks in the photo please contact me. Thanks you. The Ivy Bear at Alder Creek.

The Brightwood Museum and Novelty Shop

The Brightwood Museum and Novelty Shop. Many locals who remember this place in its heyday still call this the Snake Pit. In its lifetime it was several things, including a church and a home. The building was constructed by renowned Mount Hood cabin builder Henry Steiner as a roadside tourist souvenir shop along the way to Mount Hood. This was his last log structure project. At one point it was even a reptile garden.

Back before cars were developed into the high speed vehicles of today, and Highway 26 was blasted into straight line four lane route that allowed everyone to move at speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour, a trip to Mount Hood was more of an easier pace. Post World War II was a time when families took to the highways on days off and vacations to camp and to recreate. The tourist industry was a big deal, with roadhouses and unique roadside attractions. Many people called these places “tourist traps”.

In our area here on the south side of Mount Hood there were several businesses that provided both lodging and meals. A couple of the tourist traps that were here, included this business, the Brightwood Museum and Novelty Shop, the Swiss Gardens and the Mt Hood Indian Pageant.
This old building is a cultural treasure to our area but sadly it’s falling into ruins. You can still see this old structure at the intersection of Bridge Street and Brightwood Loop Road in the parking lot of the Brightwood store.

Rhododendron Oregon Centennial and History

100 Years of Rhododendron Oregon and Mount Hood Tourism

I produced a video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the little Mount Hood village of Rhododendron Oregon. It’s a collection that consists of photos that I’ve collected through the years and have added to my collection. There are a couple that are in the video that are copies of photos from the Welch Family as well as the family of Dr Ivan Wooley.

Rhododendron, Oregon | Things to do, hotels, & attractions

Located along the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway on a 19th-century pioneer wagon route, Rhododendron nestles into the western flank of the craggy peak. The terrain.

Uncle Sam Welch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon

From Homestead to Tourist Destination

The Beginnings of Welches

The history of the Welch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon begins in 1882. Before Welches became a popular destination, it was simply a family homestead ranch. Samuel Welch, an emigrant from Virginia, settled in the valley that year. Later, his son William “Billy” Welch and Edward Kopper, Billy’s first wife’s father, also homesteaded in the valley in 1889.

Establishing the Welch Ranch

Samuel and Billy Welch homesteaded adjoining 160-acre sections of the Salmon River Valley, located on the southwestern foothills of Mount Hood. Samuel’s homestead deed, signed by President Benjamin Harrison, was recorded in the Clackamas County Courthouse in 1893. Similarly, Billy’s deed, signed by President William McKinley, was recorded in 1898.

Over time, they expanded their holdings, acquiring nearly 1,000 acres that stretched from Walkley’s homestead in the south to “Dutch Fred’s” homestead in the north (near present-day Fairway Avenue). Their land also extended up the slopes of Hunchback Mountain to the east and Huckleberry Mountain to the west.

A Thriving Ranch and Early Tourism

The Welch Ranch was a fully operational farm with pastures, barns, and corrals for livestock, including dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. In addition, the family maintained an apple orchard, a large vegetable garden, and had access to abundant fish in the river and wildlife in the surrounding hills. A blacksmith shop and stables further supported the ranch operations.

As travel increased, the ranch became a stop for stagecoaches and later, motorized coaches en route to Mount Hood. Eventually, summer tourists began camping in the valley, taking advantage of its natural beauty.

Transition to a Resort

After Samuel’s death in 1889, Billy took over the ranch. Sadly, his first wife, Mamie Kopper Welch, passed away in 1902. By 1905, Clinton Kern and a Mr. Wren leased the property and opened a hotel resort, operating it until 1909. As part of the resort’s development, a large dining hall was built near the Salmon River to accommodate guests.

To replace the old dance hall, Billy expanded his store, adding a pool room and a second-story dance hall. Notably, the hall featured an east-facing balcony where dancers could cool off while enjoying views of Hunchback Mountain.

Community and Entertainment

In 1911, Billy married Jennie Faubion. Together, they managed the resort, store, post office, and dance hall. Meanwhile, the Welches Post Office had been established in 1905, with Billy serving as postmaster until 1940. Afterward, Jennie continued in the role until her retirement in 1960. Eventually, the post office moved to Wemme before returning to Welches.

The local community often gathered for bonfires, taffy pulls, and marshmallow roasts. Children collected wood for towering bonfires while families sang folk songs like “Ninety-Nine Blue Bottles.” Moreover, talented storytellers entertained crowds late into the night.

Saturday night dances were a highlight, drawing nearly everyone in town. Parents brought blankets for their children, who slept in the hall’s corners while lively fiddle music filled the air. Typically, Billy Welch and other local musicians played old-time tunes as dancers whirled through two-steps, schottisches, and waltzes.

Growth of Tourism

By 1910, Welches had become a sought-after summer destination. In addition to the Welches Hotel, nearby lodges such as Tawney’s Mountain Home, Arrah Wanna Lodge, and the Rhododendron Inn catered to vacationers. To meet increasing demand, Billy expanded the ranch into a full-fledged outdoor resort, adding tent cabins and campgrounds along the Salmon River.

As interest in the area grew, Billy allowed repeat visitors to camp on designated plots. Eventually, he subdivided and sold land for vacation cabins. The Kaderly family built the first vacation cabin south of the hotel by relocating Samuel Welch’s original homestead cabin.

Development of Local Businesses

Around 1885, Samuel Welch sold five acres to John and Mary Roberts of Gresham. Their son, Ed Roberts, worked in the Welches Store before marrying Dora Owens in 1903. Later, in 1913, Ed opened Roberts Country Store near the Welches Hotel, expanding the town’s commercial offerings.

The Welches Golf Course

In 1928, Ralph Waale leased Welch’s pasture and built a nine-hole golf course. He operated it until 1939, when ownership returned to the Welches. Shortly after, Billy and Jennie continued running the course until Billy’s passing in 1942. Over time, it changed hands multiple times before being sold to Eugene Bowman.

The Lasting Legacy of the Welch Ranch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon

Billy Welch played a pivotal role in shaping Welches into a tourist destination. His foresight in converting the ranch into a resort laid the foundation for the town’s growth. Though the original homestead is gone, the legacy of the Welch family endures in the community that still bears their name.

The Welch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon.

CLICK HERE to read more about the development of the Mt Hood Golf Course, Rippling River and the Resort on The Mountain.

Mrs Pierce of Welches Killed a Bear With a Hoe

Mrs Pierce of Welches Killed a Bear With a Hoe – I have spent a lot of time talking with old timers and family

Mt Hood Indian Pageant

A lot has come and gone along the old Mt Hood Loop Highway, the name given for the route that started in Portland and followed old Highway 30 along the Historic Columbia River Highway to Hood River then along the present Highway 35 south from Hood River to Government Camp and the back to Portland via Highway 26, the route of the original Barlow Trail and the Mt Hood Highway. Of course it could be travelled in either direction, but either way the route would take one completely around Mount Hood. It’s still a very popular “Sunday drive” for those wanting to get away and see some scenery.

Things have changed through the years – Cars are faster and roads are better. Today one can take the drive and only stop for a quick lunch before they arrive back at home again all within a day, but there once was a time when folks would take the trip on the old Mt hood Loop and take a week long vacation to do it. During those times there were many more stops to be had along the way that were tourist draws such as restaurants, lodges, roadhouses and recreational activities. There were even more camping options back then.

Much of this activity took place prior to World War II but the boom happened soon after the end of the war. Post World War II saw more people able to afford cars and free time and the roads and automobiles were improved. At that time a lot of soldiers were back home from the war and were looking to start a future for them and their families. Some built attractions along the old Loop Highway to try to pull these tourists in and extract some of their money in exchange for entertainment, lodging or meals. One such short lived attraction that sprung up was the Mt Hood Indian Pageant in Brightwood about 15 miles east of Sandy Oregon.

In 1947 one such soldier named Max Gilroy and his wife Virginia had the idea to set up a fort and to recruit Indians to come and setup an encampment and show tourists the ways of the Native American. Max and Virginia were very much interested in Native American history and tradition.

He and his wife Virginia, with help from friends, including Warm Springs Indians that they knew, put all that they had into building the Mt Hood Indian Pageant that included a post constructed Fort Barlow. They advertised “Pageant Performances Daily” and to “Bring your camera”. The fort touted the sale of Indian curios a pioneer restaurant, saddle horse rides and playground and picnic grounds.

There was a grand performance daily where one could observe the Warm Springs Indians as they presented “a view of their aboriginal life prior to the coming of the white man”. During the performance an “Indian brave” would come back to camp, wounded by an enemy tribe spurring the encampment to prepare for war. In time the victorious warrior would “return to camp with prisoner” and a “scalp dance” ensued.

Once peace was restored to the encampment the Indian girls would would dance, a young couple would marry in a ceremony and the chiefs would smoke a peace pipe. Then “with the coming of the white man, the Indians move west in their tragic quest for the freedom they loved so well”. Tourists would watch as if attending a play.

I can’t find evidence that the Mt Hood Indian Pageant lasted more than a season, maybe two. No evidence of the old fort exists today. The location is nothing more than a level piece of land that now contains more modern homes along what is now Brightwood Loop Road, just west of the town of Welches.

If not for a few photographs and postcards, and an advertising flyer or two, this place would be forgotten.

The Wistaria Farm Inn

A Popular Stop on the Mount Hood Loop Highway

The Wistaria Farm Inn, located near Cherryville, Oregon, east of Sandy, was one of many roadhouses along the old Mount Hood Loop Highway (now Highway 26). During the early days of automobile travel, these roadhouses provided food and lodging for travelers exploring the scenic route around Mount Hood.

Back then, a trip around the mountain in a Model T was an adventure. Travelers could spend a week camping or, for those who preferred comfort, staying in one of the many roadhouses along the way.

The Role of Roadhouses

Roadhouses typically offered hot meals, with signs advertising specialties like “Chicken Fried in Butter,” as seen at the Wistaria Farm Inn. Some establishments also provided lodging. To meet demand, places like Billy Welch’s Ranch and the Rhododendron Inn erected wall tents for overnight guests.

The Wistaria Farm Inn, however, focused solely on food. Unlike most inns, it featured an unusual design—an octagonal log structure. The kitchen sat in an attached section at the back, while a large open dining room occupied the main building.

The Story of Earl C. Frost

Earl C. Frost, originally a photographer in Spokane, moved to Seaside, Oregon, in 1912. There, he and his father opened a photography business. In 1917, he enlisted in the 3rd Oregon Infantry as a cook. During his service, he worked as a mess sergeant overseas until his discharge in 1919. After returning to Spokane, he eventually moved his family to Portland and entered the poultry and hatchery business.

In 1926, Frost relocated to an 86-acre farm along the Mount Hood Scenic Highway, about 30 miles east of Portland. Three years later, he built a unique log inn, naming it the “Wistaria Farm Inn.” His restaurant quickly gained a statewide reputation for its signature dish, “Chicken Fried in Butter.”

The Decline of Roadhouses

Over time, improvements to the highway led to increased travel speeds. As a result, drivers could complete the loop around Mount Hood in a single day. This shift made roadhouses less necessary, leading to their decline. The Frost family closed the Wistaria Farm Inn in the fall of 1933 and moved to Los Angeles.

Many former roadhouses were later converted into private homes, including the Wistaria Farm Inn. Though no longer a restaurant, the building still stands today as a residence.

Preserving History

Thanks to the generosity of the current owners, I had the opportunity to tour the old lodge. The once-spacious dining area has been divided into separate rooms, but the building still retains much of its original character.

The Wistaria Farm Inn remains a unique piece of Mount Hood’s history, a reminder of the golden age of roadside travel.

Mt. Hood, Oregon | Things to do near Mt. Hood, OR

Mt. Hood’s perpetually snowy peak — crowned by eleven glaciers, one for every thousand feet it rises above sea level — can be seen from miles and miles awa.

Reliance Mt Hood Stages

Reliance Mt Hood Stages – First Autos to Mount Hood

Reliance Mt Hood Stages – In the early days of the road to Mount Hood, after the immigrant era, the road allowed the burgeoning new city of Portland to access the mountain for recreation. Mountain climbing and hiking the trails in the foothills in those days was the primary activity in the area. Skiing had yet to become an activity on the mountain.

Automobiles were starting to become a practical means of transportation, but was still primitive. Most people didn’t own a car which gave stage companies an opportunity to carry fun seekers to and from the lodges and roadhouses on Mount Hood. This also gave inn keepers an opportunity to host these people because a trip to Mount Hood wasn’t a simple day trip. Many times a trip to The Mountain was a week minimum investment in time.

Lodges such as Arrah Wanna, Welches Ranch, Tawney’s Mountain Home, La Casa Monte, The Rhododendron Tavern and the Government Camp Hotel all sprang up due to a need to recreational lodging.

The flyer below gives a great representation of the mileage, the lodging available and cost of a trip to the mountain.

Those days were primitive and simple and difficult compared to this day and age, but the life that was lived seems much more fun and adventure filled than the way we live today.

Mt Hood By Motor Stage
Mt. Hood – South Side
Reliance Mt Hood Stages
Mountain Division
“The Mt. Hood Line”
10th Season of Reliable Service

Owned and Operated by
Irvington Garage and Auto Co. Inc.
J. L. S. Snead, Pres,-Mgr. Phones: East 0135 East 3410
Tickets, Reservations and Waiting Room at
Stage Depot
Park and Yamhill Streets
Phone Main 8611

Six Horse Mt Hood Area Sightseeing Carriage Photo

Mt Hood Area Sightseeing Carriage – Early Oregon Tourism

Six Horse Mt Hood Area Sightseeing Carriage – SIX-HORSE TEAM AND SIGHT-SEEING CARRIAGE IN MOUNT HOOD AREA IN 1893 –

Before the days of automobiles sight-seers were taken over roads at the base of Mount Hood in equipages such as this. The late E. S. Olinger, known as one of Oregon’s most noted drivers is holding the reins.

This six-horse team pulling its crowded carriage of a summer-Sunday sightseers was photographed in 1893 in the Mt. Hood area. E.S. Olinger, one of top drivers, handled the reins.

Oregon Trail – Wikipedia

The Oregon Trail is a 2,170-mile (3,490 km) historic East–West, large-wheeled wagon route … on the California Trail (from 1843), Mormon Trail (from 1847), and Bozeman Trail (from 1863), before turning off to their separate destinations.

Views of Portland Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge

Views of Portland Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge – Antique Postcard Set

20 Assorted Views of Portland Oregon.

Here’s a great assortment of views of Portland Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge circa 1950. They’re printed using an offset printing process on canvas textured paper. Printed by the Angelus Commercial Studio in Portland, Oregon. The cards are the same as the postcards that the company printed but are half the size.

The set, labeled 20 Views of Portland Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge, takes one on a tour from Portland Oregon east through the Columbia River Gorge on the Historic Columbia River Highway to the Hood River Valley and then south on what is now Highway 35 to the south side of Mount Hood and the iconic historic Timberline Lodge.

This very same tour can be taken today via modern cars and improved highways in a day; A very full and satisfying day. The only things that have changed since the era that these cards were made are that the Columbia River Highway, Historic Highway 30 has been replaced with the more modern Highway 84 through the gorge. Also the old Mitchell Point Tunnel was demolished in 1966 during construction of Hwy 84, but there are efforts through the restoration of the old highway to consider restoring the tunnel by boring a new tunnel through Mitchell Point.

All of these Views of Portland Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge are available for your enjoyment today, but these old photos bring back a more bucolic era in the Portland and the Mount Hood countryside. One where tourism was more slow and laid back. One where the trip was about the ride and not the destination. One that allowed us to stop along the way and send a postcard or two.