welches Archives - Mount Hood History

Billy Welch Welches Oregon

Billy Welch: The Heart and Soul of Welches, Oregon

A Young Pioneer – Billy Welch Welches Oregon

Billy Welch Welches Oregon – In the shadow of Mount Hood, where the Salmon River winds through a valley rich in history, the legacy of William “Billy” Welch remains deeply embedded in the land he called home. Billy Welch was more than just a homesteader — he was a community builder, a businessman, and a generous soul whose efforts helped shape the town that bears his family name.

Billy Welch was born on December 24, 1866. At the age of 16, he moved with his father, Samuel “Uncle Sam” Welch, to the Salmon River Valley. In 1882, they each claimed 160 acres of land and built a homestead. Over time, their property expanded to 1,000 acres.

Life on the Welch Ranch

The Welch ranch was a self-sufficient farm with pastures, barns, livestock, orchards, and a vegetable garden. Moreover, the nearby hills provided ample game. In addition, the Salmon River, which runs through the land, was teeming with fish. Billy continued to run the property as a ranch. Billy married Mamie Kopper in 1902 but Mamie died in 1903. Their daughter Lutie “Welch” Bailey was a resident of the area until her death.

Building a Community

Billy cared deeply about the growing settlement. In 1886, with neighbor Firmer Walkley, he claimed a one-acre plot at the junction of the Barlow Road and the road to Welches. They used this land to build the first Welches School. As a result, this early investment in education showed Billy’s dedication to the families establishing roots in the valley.

After Samuel’s death in 1889, Billy inherited the land and continued to develop the property. Not long after, tourists seeking respite from the city began arriving. Therefore, Billy responded by adapting the ranch to welcome them.

Welches Becomes a Destination

By 1905, the property was leased to Clinton “Linny” Kern and a Mr. Wrenn as a hotel resort. To keep up with demand of the tourists that were coming, Billy expanded the facilities. He added a dining hall, a dance hall, a store and a post office near the Welches Hotel. As demand increased, he also added tent cabins throughout the area. Billy took the hotel and property back from Kern and Wrenn in 1909.

In addition to running the resort, Billy remained focused on the growing community. In fact, he often supported neighbors and welcomed guests, making the Welch homestead a hub of local life. Furthermore, his hospitality created lasting memories for the many visitors who lived there or those who passed through.

A Life Full of Laughter and Music

People remember Billy as a jolly soul — good-natured, generous, and full of humor. He played the fiddle and hosted Saturday night dances that would sometimes last through the night, which were popular with both locals and visitors. These lively events took place in the dance hall above his store. There are stories told how the whole building seemed to rock while everyone danced to Billy and his fiddle and the occasional volunteer on the piano. The hall had an east-facing balcony. From there, guests cooled off and enjoyed moonlit views of Hunchback Mountain.

Billy also loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter who relied on his hounds to flush out deer. Notably, his favorite dog, Leader, was a loyal companion on many trips. It’s common to see his dog next to him in photos. Whether he was playing music, greeting visitors, or roaming the forest with his dogs, Billy lived life with energy and joy.

A Strong Partnership

In April 1911, Billy married Jennie Faubion. She was the daughter of local homesteaders William and Anna Faubion. Together, Billy and Jennie managed the resort, store, post office, and dance hall. Jennie played a vital role in the operation and success of their ventures.

As Welches attracted more visitors, Billy began selling small plots of land to regular campers. Consequently, these families built summer cabins and returned year after year. This trend marked the beginning of Welches as a seasonal destination for recreation and relaxation that still exists today.

Over time, the town grew. Thanks to the couple’s efforts, Welches developed a strong reputation as a friendly, welcoming place. It became a destination loved by visitors and settlers alike. In many ways, their teamwork laid the foundation for the community spirit that still exists today.

Leaving a Legacy

In 1928, Billy leased part of his land to Ralph Waale, who constructed a nine-hole golf course and operated it until 1939. Eventually, after Waale stepped away, Billy and Jennie resumed control and managed the golf course until 1942.

Billy also served as the first postmaster of Welches, from 1905 until 1940. Through his service, he helped the growing community stay connected with the wider world. His work laid the foundation for the town’s lasting success. Additionally, after Billy passed, Jennie continued in this role until 1960. Her contributions further strengthened the continuity and spirit of the town.

A Lasting Memory

Billy Welch passed away on October 30, 1942. The land he helped develop eventually became a resort featuring a world-class golf course with sweeping views in all directions. Today, it remains a popular destination that continues to welcome visitors. Now known as The Mt. Hood Resort, it still sits in the same scenic valley that Billy and his father once called home.

Even though the cedar shake cabins and dance halls have almost faded, Billy’s name and spirit live on in Welches. He was more than a pioneer — he was the heart and soul of a community that still thrives in the shadow of Mount Hood.

Ultimately, Billy Welch’s legacy is one of vision, opportunity, connection, and joy. It serves as a reminder that one person’s dedication can shape an entire region for generations to come.

Mount Hood Forest Fires of 1910

Eyewitness Report from The 1910 Oregon Daily Journal

1910 was a tragic year for forest fires

Mt Hood Forest Fires of 1910 – The summer of 1910 brought devastating forest fires to the Mount Hood area, with flames sweeping across Zigzag Mountain, Huckleberry Mountain, Wildcat Mountain, and the surrounding ridges. This firsthand account from the Portland Oregon Daily Journal, published on August 28, 1910, gives us a rare look into the chaos and hardship faced by locals, vacationers, and especially the Indigenous berry pickers during that tragic event.

“The Indians and berry pickers suffered terribly. Hundreds of Indians who were camping and picking berries in the woods were robbed of their all by the fire, their blankets burned, their stock killed and their tents and camp equipment destroyed. So it was with many white campers. No one will ever know just how many burned to death, for there may have been hundreds of berry pickers in the dense woods through which the fire ate.

As someone who has explored and photographed this very landscape, it’s sobering to read how much of a conflagration this fire was and how many people lost their lives. While some of the places mentioned — like the Maulding Hotel and Rhododendron Inn — are now long gone or forgotten, this report captures a moment in time when fire was an ever-present threat in the Oregon woods. A fact that we, in this modern time, seem to ignore until it’s an immediate threat to us.

Read the following about the tragic Mt Hood Forest Fires of 1910

Original Article: The Portland Oregon Daily Journal, August 28, 1910

LOCAL PARTY NEAR MOUNT HOOD NOT MENACED BY FIRE

Members Returning From the Maulding Hotel Say Flames Along Mountain Road Under Control; 4 Houses Burned

Thomas McCusker and his son-in-law, E.M. Fauch, who returned yesterday by auto from the Maulding hotel, near Welch’s camp, on the Mount Hood road, with Mrs. Custer, Miss Helen McCusker and Mrs. E.F. Cannon, reported the forest fires that raged along the highway last week, greatly abated. They arrived in Portland about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon.

“The fire started,” said Mr. McCusker, on Zig-zag mountain, according to reports and is supposed to have been caused by the carelessness of forest rangers. It swept down the Sandy road and river to what is now known as the McIntyre place. So far as I was able to learn only four houses were burned. On Wildcat mountain a squaw and pappoose were burned to death, according to the reports made by hundreds of Indians who were driven out of the brush.

“Mr. Fouch and I went to the Maulding hotel Friday to get my wife and daughter and Mrs. Cannon. We found that the hotel was in no danger, but that every precaution had been taken. Maulding’s place is about three miles south of Rhododendron inn around which the fire swept.

Mountains Swept Clean

“When we left the Mount Hood district the fires were still burning, but were under control. It was feared they were beating back into the mountains. The wind storm that rose up Tuesday about midnight and gave impetus to the flames, has subsided and unless the wind, which was light and blowing to the northeast, changes, I believe the fires will be extinguished without trouble.

“The west side of Huckleberry mountain has been swept clean of all growth, and Zig-zag and Wildcat mountains have been denuded. Fences were burned out all along the road and hay and other crops gone. On the ground over which the fire swept there is no vegetable life left, but in many places smothered by flames, the standing timber is not so badly hurt as supposed. In many cases the fire was swept through so swiftly by the strong wind, that it burned only the underbrush and did not really damage the larger trees.

“Bull Run is in no danger and from what I learned has not been endangered at any time. Of course, if the wind changes suddenly and freshens up considerably, the flames may be carried into the reserve, but such is not likely.

Settlers Leave in Hurry

“Everywhere we saw evidence of the haste in which people left the burned region. Along the sides of the roads we saw camps, deserted days ago, with the dishes still on tables, and clothing hanging on the lines. We met one camper yesterday hauling a half of a dining room table. He told us that the other half had burned.

“The Indians and berry pickers suffered terribly. Hundreds of Indians who were camping and picking berries in the woods were robbed of their all by the fire, their blankets burned, their stock killed and their tents and camp equipment destroyed. So it was with many white campers. No one will ever know just how many burned to death, for there may have been hundreds of berry pickers in the dense woods through which the fire ate.

“People who are still at Maulding’s place, Welch’s and at Rhododendron asked me to let the newspapers know that the danger was past, so that their friends and relatives may know they are safe. The stages are having trouble getting in and out and it will be several days before all those who desire to leave can get out.

“At Maulding’s hotel there are a Mr. McKnight of Portland, and his three sisters; Mrs. Rasmussen and two daughters; T.G. Green, and two children, Dr. Stolte’s wife and son of Douglas Taylor, formerly city engineer of Portland, are at the hotel. Mr. Taylor is out in the woods on a surveying trip. He did not encounter the flames.”

Reflections on the Mt Hood Forest Fires of 1910

This is one of the most detailed accounts I’ve found about the 1910 fires near our local communities from Brightwood to Rhododendron. It touches on places I know well and brings to life a time when fire danger meant loading what you could into a wagon and hoping the wind shifted.

Today we think of wildfire as a modern problem, but this reminds us it’s been with us a long time. I’ll continue sharing these kinds of historical pieces here as I dig deeper into the story of Mount Hood’s past — and if you’ve got local stories or family history connected to this era, I’d love to hear them.

Read here for another close call with a Mt Hood Forest Fire in 1952

Mt Hood Forest Fires of 1910 - The Portland Oregon Daily Journal, August 28, 1910

Howard’s Hotel at Sharon Springs

A Lost Piece of Zigzag’s Oregon’s History

A Mysterious Rock Wall and a Forgotten Hotel

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. A 1920 map already labeled it as an “old rock wall.” Historical accounts mention it as a marker near old bridge brow logs from an original Barlow Trail crossing. But why was it built? What once stood behind those stones?

Piecing together historical maps, newspaper articles, and land records points to one answer: Howard’s Hotel at Sharon Springs. Built in the early 1910s, this long-forgotten inn lasted only a few years before fire destroyed it. Unlike the well-remembered Welch’s Hotel in Welches, McIntyre’s early hotel, or the Rhododendron Inn, Howard’s Hotel vanished from collective memory. Yet, its story is worth rediscovering.

The Mount Hood Road and the Growth of Tourism

The land where Howard’s Hotel stood was known as Sharon Springs, named after a small, year-round spring that still flows into Clear Creek near the Sandy and Zigzag Rivers. W.R. McGarry originally owned the land and subdivided it in the early 1900s as tourism in the Mount Hood region grew.

This growth followed the expansion of the Barlow Road, a pioneer-era route that later became a toll road. By the early 1900s, it transitioned into an automobile road, drawing more visitors. Travelers sought lodging along the way to Government Camp and Mount Hood’s higher elevations. Hotels and lodges sprang up to serve them.

Seeing an opportunity, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Howard built a hotel at Sharon Springs, close to the Barlow Road and Mount Hood’s foothills.

Howard’s Hotel at Sharon Springs: Built for the Boom

Constructed in 1910, Howard’s Hotel was a three-story, 14-room cedar structure. It stood on the north side of the Sandy River along the old north bank road.

From the start, challenges arose. In 1911, a freshet washed away a crucial bridge over the Sandy River near the hotel and damaged two others, the Zigzag River and Bear Creek bridges. Access became difficult, forcing visitors to detour through Brightwood, where J.T. McIntyre had built a bridge.

Plans to rebuild the bridges were made, but the setback likely hurt the hotel’s early success. Meanwhile, competitors like Welch’s Hotel and the Rhododendron Inn thrived with easier access.

The Fire That Erased Howard’s Hotel

On a September night in 1912, disaster struck.

A report in The Oregonian (September 14, 1912) stated:

“The home of Mr. and Mrs. S. Howard, near the junction of Sandy and Zigzag River, in the Mount Hood district, known as the Howard Hotel, was destroyed by fire a few nights ago, and Mrs. Howard, who was alone at the time, barely escaped with her life. Fire started in the lower story from sparks from the fireplace after Mrs. Howard had retired for the night in an upper room.”

Mrs. Howard woke to flames blocking the stairs. Forced to escape through a side window, she fled in her night robe.

The hotel burned completely, with nothing saved. The financial loss ranged from $3,500 to $4,000. With no efforts to rebuild, Howard’s Hotel disappeared from both the landscape and local memory.

Why Has Howard’s Hotel Been Forgotten?

Unlike Welch’s Hotel, the Rhododendron Inn, or McIntyre’s Hotel, Howard’s Hotel lasted barely two years. No surviving photographs or major advertisements recorded its existence. Without a rebuilt structure or continued operation, history left it behind.

Nearby hotels thrived because they became part of a lasting tourism infrastructure. Welch’s Hotel evolved into the town of Welches. Rhododendron and Government Camp grew into permanent tourism hubs. But Howard’s Hotel faded, leaving only the rock wall as a possible clue to its past.

A Call for Further Investigation

The rock wall remains the only visible evidence of Howard’s Hotel. Its basalt and stone construction, multiple entryways, and elevated stone columns suggest more than a simple boundary wall.

Could forgotten records, lost photographs, or hidden remnants beneath the forest floor reveal more?

For now, the story of Howard’s Hotel at Sharon Springs remains an intriguing historical mystery—one that deserves to be remembered.

Conclusion: Preserving the Lost History of Howard’s Hotel at Sharon Springs

Howard’s Hotel burned in 1912, but its legacy should not be forgotten. Among the histories of Welches, Brightwood, and Rhododendron, it represents the challenges of early tourism in the Mount Hood wilderness.

Next time you pass through Zigzag, take a moment to consider the rock wall, the spring at Sharon Springs, and the stories hidden beneath the surface.

The past is still there—waiting to be uncovered.

Historic Glass Plate Negatives

Ed Robert’s Welches Oregon Photographer

A look back into Welches, Oregon’s past

This is an early view of when Billy Welch’s Ranch was in transition from a camp ground to an era of summer cabins.

This is a 4×6 glass plate negative made by Ed Roberts. The Roberts family were one of the first folks to live in Welches. Ed Roberts was the son of the family who became a photographer and later in life established Roberts Store in Welches. Roberts Store was a favorite spot for locals as well as summer campers and cabin dwellers for many years.

Fires, Fear, and Fighting Back: The Week the Forest Burned Near Mt. Hood

The Forest Fires of October 13-17, 1952

A Dry Season Sparks Trouble

Late in the season, around midnight on October 13, 1952, trouble began in the dry forests surrounding Mt. Hood. Flames appeared south of the Mt. Hood Highway, just east of Rhododendron, near Yocum Falls. As the fire moved down through Laurel Canyon, it stretched toward Flag Mountain. Initially, officials suspected a tree had fallen on a power line, sparking the blaze. However, the Sandy Electric Company suggested that men violating the hunting ban may have started the fire instead of the 33,000-volt power line.

Mt Hood National Forest Fires of October 1952

Fires Spread Across the Region

Meanwhile, a second fire erupted when windblown embers ignited dry vegetation near Still Creek, along the north slope of Zigzag Canyon. As a result, flames threatened summer homes and caused landslides, sending large rocks tumbling toward the Zigzag River. Consequently, firefighters faced an increasingly dangerous situation.

By Tuesday, October 14, another fire had ignited. This time, flames burned up Henry Creek toward Devils Canyon near Rhododendron. Since dry east winds were blowing with typical intensity, they fanned the flames. Therefore, firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading fires.

Road Closures and Evacuations

Due to the growing danger, officials closed the Mt. Hood Highway. Roadblocks went up in Sandy and Bend, allowing only emergency vehicles and buses to pass. As a precaution, traffic had to be rerouted through the Columbia River Gorge or the North Santiam Highway. Firefighters hosed down wooden bridges along the highway while residents sprayed their roofs with water, trying to keep embers at bay. Understandably, people in Rhododendron prepared to evacuate if necessary. The county’s civil defense agency remained on high alert, ready to assist should homes become threatened.

Arson Suspected in Brightwood

By Wednesday, October 15, conditions worsened. A third fire ignited near Brightwood around noon. Flames burned through thick ferns and second-growth timber. Unfortunately, local residents reported seeing two teenage boys speeding away in a blue coupe just before the fire started. Consequently, police issued an alert, but the suspects were never found.

A Threat to Bull Run Watershed

By Thursday, October 16, tensions ran high. The Brightwood fire moved toward the Bull Run watershed, the primary water source for Portland. Since winds carried the flames up Boulder Creek, they brought them dangerously close to Bull Run. Meanwhile, in Rhododendron, a 120-man crew worked tirelessly to build a fire line around the Henry Creek blaze. More than 400 firefighters battled flames across the region. At the same time, at Zigzag Ranger Station, local women volunteered to prepare sandwiches, helping to sustain the exhausted fire crews.

Firefighters Gain Control

Finally, on Friday, October 17, firefighters gained the upper hand. Crews, totaling 700 men, worked around the clock to contain the fires. By this point, the Brightwood blaze alone had consumed between 300 and 400 acres. In total, an estimated 1,200 acres burned before firefighters managed to control the destruction. Despite the progress, northeast winds and low humidity kept everyone on edge, hoping for much-needed rain.

A Community United

In the aftermath, the fires left a lasting impact. However, they also demonstrated the strength of the community. Firefighters risked everything to contain the flames, while residents took action—hosing down homes, preparing food, and offering support. Although the forest would recover, the stories of that harrowing week of the Forest Fires of 1952 would endure for generations.

Preserving the History

These photos are scanned from negatives in my personal collection, capturing the unforgettable events of that historic fire.

Zigzag Cabin Owner: A Local Legend

Portland’s Buffalo Bill – William DeVeny

An Active Community Participant

In the early 1900s, Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood was home to one of its most fascinating figures: Dr. William DeVeny. Known as the “Buffalo Bill of Portland,” William DeVeny was a community leader, civic advocate, and larger-than-life character. His influence stretched beyond Montavilla and into the Mount Hood region, where he worked to improve access to the wilderness.

DeVeny’s striking appearance—long hair, a thick beard, and signature buckskin attire—earned him his nickname. According to some accounts, Buffalo Bill Cody himself gave him the title. Yet, DeVeny was more than just a local icon—he was a man of action.

A Visionary for Montavilla

DeVeny dedicated himself to improving Montavilla. As secretary of the Montavilla Board of Trade, he led efforts to attract new businesses, including a fruit cannery, chair factory, and broom factory. He also pushed for better schools, clean water, and libraries, believing these essentials would help Montavilla thrive.

One of his most ambitious projects was Montavilla’s annexation to Portland. He argued that annexation would bring stronger infrastructure, including deeper water mains to prevent freezing and increased school funding. Although his campaign initially failed, he continued to fight for it.

In 1907, he ran for city council, hoping to create more change. However, his campaign faced controversy when petition collectors submitted duplicate signatures. Though DeVeny did not commit fraud, officials removed his name from the ballot. This setback ended his political aspirations, but not his commitment to the community.

He saw the need for better roads in the region. To improve access, he led the construction of a road connecting the Mount Hood automobile road to Truman Road on the north side of the Sandy River. The project, called DeVeny Road, required the building of several bridges. This new route made travel easier for settlers, forest rangers, and tourists.

Building Roads to Mount Hood

DeVeny’s passion for development extended into the Mount Hood wilderness. He owned a cabin near the mountain, which he called The Scout’s Rest, inspired by Buffalo Bill Cody’s Nebraska ranch.

By 1913, construction was complete. This road became a key link for travelers and helped boost tourism in the Mount Hood region. Eventually, it was renamed Lolo Pass Road, but DeVeny’s work remains a vital part of the area’s history.

A Complex and Evolving Figure

DeVeny’s views changed over time. Once a supporter of military training for boys, he later spoke out against war, particularly as World War I approached. Some believe he changed his stance because his sons became eligible for the draft.

Beyond civic work, DeVeny was a skilled chiropodist (foot doctor) and an accomplished photographer. Alongside his wife, Martha, he operated photography studios before settling in Portland.

He also supported women’s suffrage and equal rights, reflecting a progressive mindset that was ahead of his time.

A Lasting Legacy

Dr. William DeVeny passed away in 1918 at age 65. The Oregonian honored him as a civic leader, community advocate, and friend of famous frontiersmen. His contributions to Montavilla and Mount Hood shaped Oregon’s history in ways still seen today.

Today, hikers in Mount Hood’s forests and residents in Montavilla’s streets walk paths influenced by his work. His life is a powerful reminder of how one determined individual can shape a community’s future.

Mount Hood’s Native Trails

A Place of Cultural Significance

It’s not commonly known, but our home on the slopes of Mount Hood is a place of deep cultural importance. For generations, Mount Hood’s Native people traveled here each season, arriving from all directions between spring and autumn to live, hunt, trade, and gather resources.

Where we live today was once a convergence point for three important ancient trails:

One trail came from the Columbia River Gorge, following what is now called Lolo Pass.
Another came from Central Oregon, crossing the south side of Mount Hood—a path that parts of the Barlow Trail later followed.
The third arrived from the west, connecting to the Willamette Valley.

Seasonal Gatherings and Traditions

Each season, tribes from all around Mount Hood gathered in ancestral camps between Government Camp and the confluence of the Sandy and Salmon Rivers. The Salmon River Valley also played a key role in this annual migration.

The purpose of these gatherings was to harvest essential resources and trade with other visiting groups. While the men hunted and fished, the women harvested food, medicinal roots, and herbs from the area’s plentiful wetlands. They also collected huckleberries and carefully prepared their bounty for transport back to their winter homes.

A Tradition That Faded with Time

For thousands of years, these seasonal gatherings remained a vital part of life in this region. However, by the late 19th century, they began to disappear. As disease reduced the Native population and forced relocations to reservations increased, the annual traditions slowly faded.

Samuel and Billy Welch coexisted with the Native people for some time. However, as non-Native settlers arrived to recreate and establish permanent homes, the presence of the original inhabitants diminished.

A Continued Presence in the Region

Even after their seasonal camps had vanished, Native people still traveled along the Barlow Trail to the Willamette Valley. Many brought herds of horses or sheep for trade. They often stopped overnight in Welches, where Billy Welch provided corrals for their animals.

Honoring the Past

In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine the land we call home as it once was—teeming with life, culture, and tradition for thousands of years. It may seem like distant history, yet in reality, it wasn’t that long ago.

The history of Mount Hood is deeply intertwined with the history of its Native people. Their stories, trails, and traditions are still woven into the landscape, reminding us of those who came before us.

Tawney’s Mountain Home

Tawney’s Mountain Home: A Forgotten Retreat in Welches, Oregon

A Hidden Gem in the Salmon River Valley

In the early days, the Welches Hotel wasn’t the only resort in the Salmon River Valley at the base of Mount Hood. About a mile past the Welches property, at the end of the road, sat Tawney’s Mountain Home. Surrounded by wilderness and nestled along the Salmon River, this hotel operated as a popular outdoor vacation spot from 1910 to 1945.

From Homestead to Hotel

The hotel was originally part of the Walkley family homestead, located south of Welches. While the Walkleys didn’t run a formal hotel, they did take in boarders. In 1906, John Maulding and his wife purchased the 100-acre property, which included the Walkley home. They remodeled and expanded the house, converting it into what became known as Maulding’s Hotel.

In 1909, Francis H. Tawney and his wife, Henriett, leased the property. A year later, they purchased it and began making improvements. However, in 1913, a fire destroyed a large portion of the original hotel. Undeterred, the Tawneys built a two-story addition, and by 1914, the new Tawney’s Hotel was welcoming guests once again.

A Grand Lodge with Rustic Charm

Tawney’s Hotel was a large two-story building with 15 guest rooms. Due to its popularity, tent cabins were added on the grounds to accommodate additional visitors.

Guests entered through a spacious living area featuring a large rock fireplace. A grand staircase led to the second floor, where the guest rooms were located. Connected to the living room, a huge dining room offered another stone fireplace and a long dining table for communal meals.

The hotel had only one indoor bathroom, located off the dining room. It included a commode and a bathtub, making reservations nearly necessary for guests who wanted to use it.

A Stay at Tawney’s Mountain Home

A week’s stay at the hotel cost $10, including meals. Mrs. Tawney, with help from her daughter-in-law, Emily, prepared food for guests. Meals were served family style, with platters of chicken, roast beef, and steak. Fresh bread, jams, canned foods, and homemade pies were always available. Mrs. Tawney also made large sugar cookies for the children, though adults often raided the cookie jar as well.

Keeping the kitchen stocked was no small task. Up to 150 guests might arrive for Sunday dinner, requiring a constant supply of food. Staples and canned goods were delivered weekly from Portland, while a butcher wagon from Sandy made daily summer deliveries, bringing cuts of beef and lamb packed in ice.

Living Off the Land

The Tawneys maintained their own livestock, including cows, pigs, and chickens. Guests could ride horses, and children often enjoyed rides on the two donkeys.

Mr. Tawney frequently took guests on wagon trips to Government Camp for huckleberry picking and picnic lunches. The property also included a large garden, an apple orchard, and wild berry patches for pie-making. Guests sometimes supplied trout from the Salmon River and local creeks, adding to the hotel’s menu.

In 1910, a group of three fishermen—B. Trenkman, C.J. Cook, and L. Therleson—ventured to Camp Creek for a fishing trip. They returned 1.5 hours later with 286 trout, making it one of the most legendary meals ever served at Tawney’s Mountain Home.

A Place for Summer Memories

Longtime Welches resident Nell Howe recalled that summer days at Tawney’s were filled with wonderful food and laughter. She said, “In the summertime, the tables in the dining room were full for every meal, and sometimes people were waiting their turn.”

Many guests fondly remembered their time at the lodge—swimming in the river, fishing, helping with chores, and enjoying the delicious home-cooked meals.

The End of an Era

By 1945, Tawney’s Mountain Home closed its doors, likely due to declining business and wartime shortages. The Tawneys, now older, stepped away from the demanding work of running the hotel.

Mr. Tawney passed away in 1947, and soon after, Mrs. Tawney moved to Portland to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She remained there until her passing in 1959.

A Fading Legacy

In the late 1950s, the abandoned lodge collapsed under the weight of a heavy snowstorm. A new owner later purchased the land and demolished the remains, leaving only the two original stone fireplaces standing.

Today, these fireplaces serve as the last visible reminders of Tawney’s Mountain Home—a once-thriving piece of Welches, Oregon’s history

Oregon pioneer history

Oregon pioneer history (1806–1890) is the period in the history of Oregon Country and Oregon Territory, in the present day state of Oregon and Northwestern

Arlie Mitchell Barlow Road’s last Tollgate Keeper

Arlie Edward Mitchell, 89, thought to be the last living Barlow Road tollgate keeper, dies June 1. (1976)

Mitchell died in Gresham after an extended illness. Services were held Monday with internment at Lincoln Memorial Park.

In his later years Mitchell was well known for his recollections of operating the Barlow tollgate. He was present in 1970 when the tollgate near Rhododendron was dedicated.

He recalled that it was his duty during his period as a gatekeeper from 1906 to 1908 to keep track of the people, animals and wagons that passed through the gate.

That included counting sheep, flocks of them brought across the Barlow’s route over Mt. Hood. Mitchell recalled one flock of sheep that numbered about 3000.

He liked to tell the story of the Indian woman so fat that she got stuck in the small gate. Everyone had a good laugh including her Indian companions who teased her before helping her out of her predicament.

Mitchell was born Dec. 6, 1886, the son of Stephen and Ellen Mitchell, on a farm near Sandy.

He attended a public school two miles from his home and went to work at an early age in sawmills and logging camps. For several seasons he worked with Lige Coalman as a guide on Mt Hood.

He was widely known as a builder. In 1908 he helped build the first grade and high school in Sandy and the Odd Fellows Hall. Years later he helped build Smith’s Garage and did some work on the Masonic Hall.

He spent four years in the Forest Service building and maintaining telephone lines. He traveled by saddle horse with a pack horse to carry his tools, tent and personal belongings, cooking his meals over a campfire.

Mitchell joined the Navy in 1917 eventually making 16 crossings from New York to Europe. He served in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France and remembered the great cheering for “The Yanks” on Armistice Day in Belfast.

Mitchell served aboard the captured German vessel, “Emporator”, which was pressed into service as a troop ship and transport. Eventually he was transferred to a destroyer travelling through the Panama Canal.

He was fond of telling about a week’s stop in Mexico where he swapped an old pair of dungarees for a bunch of bananas.

Following his discharge. from the Navy Mitchell worked on bridges at Zigzag River znc Sill Creek. He buillt many summer homes including his own.

In 1928 he married Anna Ringness. A few years later he drew a homestead in Tule Lake, Calif., where the couple lived a year building a house and farm home for his brother, Harry, who survives him. Also surviving is another brother, John, of Sandy.

after “proving up” the homestead the Mitchells moved back to the Faubion area on Mt. Hood. He became treasurer of the Faubion Summer Home Association and held office for at least 35 years. He also served several times as a director of the Welches School Board.

Mitchell is survived by his wife, Anna, Rhododendron; a son, Edward; a daughter, Ellen and four grandchildren.

Mt. Hood Golf Course history

The Story of The Mt. Hood Golf Course – From Pasture to Premier Resort

A Golfing Gem in the Salmon River Valley

Mt. Hood Golf Course history – Nestled deep in the Salmon River Valley, at the foothills of Mount Hood, lies one of Oregon’s first and most scenic golf courses. What began in the 1920s on Billy Welch’s pasture has evolved into a full-service resort offering luxury amenities, 27 holes of golf, and unforgettable views. Today, it’s known as Mt. Hood Resort, but its roots go back nearly a century.

This post takes a closer look at the legacy of the Mt. Hood Golf Course — a true piece of local and Oregon golf history.

The Beginnings: A Vision in 1928

In 1927, Ralph Shattuck and George Waale envisioned a golf course on land leased from Billy Welch. They leased 169 acres, with an option to buy, and got to work.

Construction began in January 1926. By August 1928, the first round was played on what became known as The Mt. Hood Golf Course. They built a clubhouse, a putting green, and the original nine holes — now called the “Pinecone” course. It was Oregon’s first true golf resort and helped put Welches on the map as a destination.

The course thrived until the Great Depression hit. In 1939, Shattuck and Waale lost the property when they could no longer make payments. Billy and Jennie Welch reclaimed it.

Changing Ownership and Expansion

After Billy’s death in 1942, Jennie Welch ran the course alone until July 1944, when she sold it to Leo Hueval.

Two years later, in 1946, J.P. Lich and his wife Oberta purchased the course from Hueval. Jennie Welch also sold them an additional 88 acres. In 1948, Lich sold the course to Eugene and Peggy Bowman.

The Bowmans renamed it Bowman’s Golf Club and added a second nine-hole course, now known as Thistle, expanding the facility to 18 holes. They operated it successfully until 1978.

Further Growth and the Birth of a Resort

In 1973, American Guaranty acquired land across the road and developed a conference center, restaurant, and lodging. By 1979, they bought the golf course from the Bowmans and merged both properties into a resort.

They named it Rippling River Resort and added a third nine-hole course, known as The Red Side (now called “Foxglove”). This expansion made it the only 27-hole golf course in Oregon at the time.

A Scottish Touch: The Resort at The Mountain

In 1989, Ed and Janice Hopper purchased the resort and rebranded it as The Resort at The Mountain. Ed, with his Scottish ancestry, introduced a Scottish theme throughout the property, adding character and cultural charm.

The Hoppers ran the resort until 2007. After several changes in ownership, the resort now operates as Mt. Hood Resort, continuing its legacy as a premier golf and vacation destination in the Mount Hood region.

Mt. Hood Golf | Golf | Mt. Hood Oregon Resort

Pinecone was established in 1928 and is often referred to as the “Original Nine.” This scenic course offers 360-degree views of the cascading hills of the Mount …