Towns
Jennie Faubion Welch lived a life that stretched from ox teams to automobiles, from split cedar cabins to resort hotels, and from forest stumps to fairways. Born on September 27, 1881, she bridged generations of history and became one of the last living links to the pioneer families who gave Welches, Oregon its name.
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.
In the 1920s and ’30s, tourists came to Mount Hood for snow, scenery, and rustic lodging. But for a short time, they also came to see the Government Camp bears.
Just east of Portland, along the winding curves of Highway 26, sits Rhododendron, Oregon—a place not quite a town, but more than a roadside stop. Nestled in the folds of the Mount Hood National Forest, it’s a patchwork of tall trees, weathered cabins, and the kind of tight-knit community where everyone knows your dog’s name.
