Hidden beneath the towering firs of Mount Hood’s forests, the Rhododendron Inn once stood as one of Oregon’s most celebrated mountain retreats. In the early 20th century, it welcomed weary travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers. Today, the inn is gone, but its story remains—woven into the history of the region.
Near Government Camp, Oregon, within view of Mount Hood, at the Summit Meadow Pioneer Cemetery
In the early days of winter recreation on Mount Hood, long before chairlifts and ski resorts, Government Camp was home to an exhilarating and dangerous attraction—the Red Devil Toboggan Slide.
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.
This is an early view of when Billy Welch’s Ranch was in transition from a camp ground to an era of summer cabins.
