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.
