In the shadow of Mount Hood, where the Salmon River winds through a valley rich in history, the legacy of William “Billy” Welch remains
Billy Welch Welches Oregon
Category: Towns
Towns
Mount Hood Forest Fires of 1910
The Big Burn, or as it was called, “The Big Blowup” saw huge fires in the whole of the Northwest including Idaho, Montana and Washington. Although it wasn’t considered a part of the Big Blowup, that August a wildfire threatened to burn down the towns between Sandy and Government Camp.
Howard’s Hotel at Sharon Springs
As you drive along the east end of Barlow Trail Road near the confluence of the Sandy and Zigzag Rivers, you may notice an old moss-covered rock wall. Weathered by time and nature, this beautifully crafted basalt and stone wall stands as a silent sentinel to the past. Yet, few—if any—know its origins.
The Early Days of Government Camp Oregon
The area where Government Camp is located had been known by that name since 1849 when the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, enroute from Fort Leavenworth Kansas to Fort Vancouver, attempted to cross over the early Barlow Trail late in the season, possibly November or even December, and were faced with severe winter weather. They abandoned 45 wagons that were loaded with supplies, before descending Laurel Hill and down into the Valley. Since then the area had been known as the government camp.
Arrah Wanna Hotel in Wemme Oregon
Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the Salmon River in Wemme, Oregon, the Arrah Wanna Lodge began its story in 1909 when George Routledge acquired 160 acres of timberland. At the time, the land sat about a mile from the nearest automobile road, making it an ideal mountain retreat.