The Welches Hotel wasn’t the only resort in the Salmon River Valley in the foothills of Mount Hood, Oregon. About a mile past the Welch’s place was Tawney’s Mountain Home. Situated along the Salmon River with vast stretches of wilderness surrounding it, Tawney’s was an outdoor vacation destination from 1910 to 1945.
Alder Creek is a little town half way between Sandy and Welches Oregon on today’s Highway 26.
Samuel Welch left Virginia and traveled to Oregon via the old Oregon Trail in 1842. In 1882 he and his son Billy each homesteaded 160 acres apiece
Back before Welches became a destination it was a ranch, Samuel Welch and his son Billy homesteaded adjoining 160 acre sections of the Salmon River Valley on the southern side of Mount Hood.
A familiar restaurant remembered on the way to and from Mount Hood was Norma’s Bean Pot at Wemme, Hwy 26, circa 1961 – 1974. Operated by Norma Fay Waldron-McKean (1907 – 1999). Contributed by Peter Bellant.
