Tag: welches

Uncle Sam Welch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon

From Homestead to Tourist Destination

The Beginnings of Welches

The history of the Welch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon begins in 1882. Before Welches became a popular destination, it was simply a family homestead ranch. Samuel Welch, an emigrant from Virginia, settled in the valley that year. Later, his son William “Billy” Welch and Edward Kopper, Billy’s first wife’s father, also homesteaded in the valley in 1889.

Establishing the Welch Ranch

Samuel and Billy Welch homesteaded adjoining 160-acre sections of the Salmon River Valley, located on the southwestern foothills of Mount Hood. Samuel’s homestead deed, signed by President Benjamin Harrison, was recorded in the Clackamas County Courthouse in 1893. Similarly, Billy’s deed, signed by President William McKinley, was recorded in 1898.

Over time, they expanded their holdings, acquiring nearly 1,000 acres that stretched from Walkley’s homestead in the south to “Dutch Fred’s” homestead in the north (near present-day Fairway Avenue). Their land also extended up the slopes of Hunchback Mountain to the east and Huckleberry Mountain to the west.

A Thriving Ranch and Early Tourism

The Welch Ranch was a fully operational farm with pastures, barns, and corrals for livestock, including dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. In addition, the family maintained an apple orchard, a large vegetable garden, and had access to abundant fish in the river and wildlife in the surrounding hills. A blacksmith shop and stables further supported the ranch operations.

As travel increased, the ranch became a stop for stagecoaches and later, motorized coaches en route to Mount Hood. Eventually, summer tourists began camping in the valley, taking advantage of its natural beauty.  

Transition to a Resort

After Samuel’s death in 1889, Billy took over the ranch. Sadly, his first wife, Mamie Kopper Welch, passed away in 1902. By 1905, Clinton Kern and a Mr. Wren leased the property and opened a hotel resort, operating it until 1909. As part of the resort’s development, a large dining hall was built near the Salmon River to accommodate guests.

To replace the old dance hall, Billy expanded his store, adding a pool room and a second-story dance hall. Notably, the hall featured an east-facing balcony where dancers could cool off while enjoying views of Hunchback Mountain.

Community and Entertainment

In 1911, Billy married Jennie Faubion. Together, they managed the resort, store, post office, and dance hall. Meanwhile, the Welches Post Office had been established in 1905, with Billy serving as postmaster until 1940. Afterward, Jennie continued in the role until her retirement in 1960. Eventually, the post office moved to Wemme before returning to Welches.

The local community often gathered for bonfires, taffy pulls, and marshmallow roasts. Children collected wood for towering bonfires while families sang folk songs like “Ninety-Nine Blue Bottles.” Moreover, talented storytellers entertained crowds late into the night.

Saturday night dances were a highlight, drawing nearly everyone in town. Parents brought blankets for their children, who slept in the hall’s corners while lively fiddle music filled the air. Typically, Billy Welch and other local musicians played old-time tunes as dancers whirled through two-steps, schottisches, and waltzes.

Growth of Tourism

By 1910, Welches had become a sought-after summer destination. In addition to the Welches Hotel, nearby lodges such as Tawney’s Mountain Home, Arrah Wanna Lodge, and the Rhododendron Inn catered to vacationers. To meet increasing demand, Billy expanded the ranch into a full-fledged outdoor resort, adding tent cabins and campgrounds along the Salmon River.

As interest in the area grew, Billy allowed repeat visitors to camp on designated plots. Eventually, he subdivided and sold land for vacation cabins. The Kaderly family built the first vacation cabin south of the hotel by relocating Samuel Welch’s original homestead cabin.

Development of Local Businesses

Around 1885, Samuel Welch sold five acres to John and Mary Roberts of Gresham. Their son, Ed Roberts, worked in the Welches Store before marrying Dora Owens in 1903. Later, in 1913, Ed opened Roberts Country Store near the Welches Hotel, expanding the town’s commercial offerings.

The Welches Golf Course

In 1928, Ralph Waale leased Welch’s pasture and built a nine-hole golf course. He operated it until 1939, when ownership returned to the Welches. Shortly after, Billy and Jennie continued running the course until Billy’s passing in 1942. Over time, it changed hands multiple times before being sold to Eugene Bowman.

The Lasting Legacy of the Welch Ranch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon

Billy Welch played a pivotal role in shaping Welches into a tourist destination. His foresight in converting the ranch into a resort laid the foundation for the town’s growth. Though the original homestead is gone, the legacy of the Welch family endures in the community that still bears their name.

The Welch’s Ranch in Welches Oregon.

CLICK HERE to read more about the development of the Mt Hood Golf Course, Rippling River and the Resort on The Mountain.

Mrs Pierce of Welches Killed a Bear With a Hoe
Mrs Pierce of Welches Killed a Bear With a Hoe – I have spent a lot of time talking with old timers and family

Jennie Welch Mt Hood Photographer

A Forgotten Photographer of Mt. Hood

Not as well known as some of her contemporaries, Jennie Welch deserves recognition as one of Mt. Hood’s early photographers.

Today, nearly everyone is a photographer. With cell phones in hand, we capture moments effortlessly. In 2018, taking a photo of friends, family, or scenic places requires little thought. A century ago, photography was far more challenging. Cameras were bulky, film was expensive, and results were unpredictable. Photographers had to wait days—or even weeks—to see their images unless they developed them at home. Yet, despite these challenges, photography enthusiasts persisted.

The Role of Early Photographers

At the turn of the 20th century, photographers ranged from professionals to hobbyists with home darkrooms. Many traveled door to door, offering their services to those without cameras. They captured portraits, family gatherings, homes, pets, and prized possessions like new automobiles.

Postcards became a popular way to share photographs. Many people ordered prints on postcard backs, making it easy to send images to distant friends and family. Souvenir shops also stocked photo postcards of local landmarks. For tourists, buying a postcard was often easier than dealing with film and cameras.

Some photographers became well-known for their work, producing thousands of postcards. Others, like Jennie Welch, remained more obscure. Instead of mass-producing postcards, she created just enough to sell in local gift shops and country stores. One such place was Billy Welch’s Hotel.

Jennie Welch: Postmaster and Photographer

In 1905, Billy Welch established the Welches Post Office at his ranch, serving as postmaster. He later married Jennie Faubion, the daughter of Oregon Trail pioneers and local homesteaders. In 1940, Jennie became the Welches postmaster, holding the position until 1960.

Jennie had a deep love for antiques. She collected early photographic prints, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes. Her interest in photography extended beyond collecting—she also took photos herself.

A Local Photographer’s Legacy

Although Jennie is mostly remembered for her passion for antiques, few realize she was one of the first local photographers in Welches. She took photographs and likely had them developed and printed as postcards for sale in the Welches Store and Post Office. Unlike other photographers who produced high volumes, Jennie made only a small number. Today, her postcards are rare, often going unnoticed until a keen-eyed collector identifies one.

Despite her lack of widespread recognition, Jennie Welch should be included in the history of early 20th-century female photographers. Her photos capture the history and beauty of Welches, preserving scenes that would otherwise be lost to time.

A Lasting Impact

Today, Jennie’s photos are considered rare and collectible. The era of postcard photography and traveling photography salesmen has long passed, but their work remains. Thanks to photographers like Jennie Welch, the history of Mt. Hood and its communities lives on.

Oliver C. Yocum – Mount Hood Photographer – Mount Hood History
2 May 2019 … Before Jennie Welch took her first photo another Mount Hood icon was … Oliver C Yocum, known to everyone as “OC”, came to Oregon in a …

Mrs Pierce of Welches Killed a Bear With a Hoe

Mrs Pierce of Welches Killed a Bear With a Hoe – I have spent a lot of time talking with old timers and family members of those who have lived up here in the Mountain Community for quite a few years now. In one or two conversations I’ve heard tell of a woman who gained local notoriety for killing a bear that invaded her space with a garden hoe. That’s right a woman killed a bear with a hoe.

This afternoon while perusing newspaper archives I happened across this newspaper clipping. Well what do you know? It’s a true story.

The Oregon Daily Journal (Portland Oregon) 20 March 1915

“Gresham Outlook: When Mrs. Pierce of Welches killed a bear with a hoe last Saturday she set an example for all the people of the mountain country. The usual plan of warfare on bears is a good dog and a trusty rifle, but it has been proved that they are no longer needed. The sport should become popular now, because everyone can afford a hoe, and bears are plentiful.”

How to survive a bear encounter (and what to do if it all goes wrong …
Jul 21, 2016 … You’re more likely to die from a tick bite or a bee sting than to you are to be killed by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone park, but here are a few tips …

Reliance Mt Hood Stages

Reliance Mt Hood Stages – First Autos to Mount Hood

Reliance Mt Hood Stages – In the early days of the road to Mount Hood, after the immigrant era, the road allowed the burgeoning new city of Portland to access the mountain for recreation. Mountain climbing and hiking the trails in the foothills in those days was the primary activity in the area. Skiing had yet to become an activity on the mountain.

Reliance Mt Hood Stages advertising

Automobiles were starting to become a practical means of transportation, but was still primitive. Most people didn’t own a car which gave stage companies an opportunity to carry fun seekers to and from the lodges and roadhouses on Mount Hood. This also gave inn keepers an opportunity to host these people because a trip to Mount Hood wasn’t a simple day trip. Many times a trip to The Mountain was a week minimum investment in time.

Lodges such as Arrah Wanna, Welches Ranch, Tawney’s Mountain Home, La Casa Monte, The Rhododendron Tavern and the Government Camp Hotel all sprang up due to a need to recreational lodging.

The flyer below gives a great representation of the mileage, the lodging available and cost of a trip to the mountain.

Those days were primitive and simple and difficult compared to this day and age, but the life that was lived seems much more fun and adventure filled than the way we live today.

Mt Hood By Motor Stage
Mt. Hood – South Side
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Reliance Mt Hood Stages Advert
Reliance Mt Hood Stages Advert
Reliance Mt Hood Stages Advert
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A signature of William “Billy” Welch from 1902

A Message from William “Billy” Welch from the grave.

A signature of William “Billy” Welch from 1902. This was prior to the establishment of Welches as a town. Billy seems to have been in a grim mood when he wrote this. Sadly his wife Mamie Kopper would die soon after.

“Salmon River.

Jan 8, 1902

Think of me when this you see
Though in this world I may not be
But if my grave should be my bed
Remember me when I am dead.

Yours Truly

W. Welch”

I wonder if he really thought that people would be thinking of him over 100 years later? 

Norma’s Bean Pot Wemme Oregon

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.

Billy’s Milk Shed – Welch’s Ranch Tokens

Billy’s Milk Shed and his Welch’s Ranch Tokens.

In the day and age of quick trips to the store for a gallon of milk as well as refrigeration to preserve the milk we sometimes forget that our ancestors didn’t have those conveniences.

Billy Welch was a resort proprietor. He ran the Welch’s Ranch in a way as to include most supplies that the visitors, hotel guests, cabin dwellers as well as campers might need during their stay. He had a dance hall, restaurant, post office, was a notary public and operated a store, much like convenience stores of today, that had everything from candy for the kids to food for meals as well as other items of necessity. 

In its early stages Billy’s store had no refrigeration. In lieu of coolers or or ice chests he had a cold shed down at the Salmon River where he had diverted the cold water from the river through the shed. It kept the shed chilled and things such as jars of milk could be preserved by sitting in the cold water bath.

To purchase your milk you would buy aluminum tokens at the store and then, as you needed milk, you would go to the cold shed and drop your token in the can and take your jar of cold milk. Billy had two denominations. One pint and one quart. On one side it read WELCH’S RANCH. On the other it read GOOD FOR 1 PINT or GOOD FOR 1 QUART.

Today these Welch’s Ranch Tokens are quite scarce.

Welches Ranch, Welches Oregon

Here’s a great early view of the old Welches Ranch at Welches Oregon.

This view is after Sam had gone. You can see the store, post office, the dance hall and the white canvas tourist tents lined up along the road to the left of the Welch home. Billy’s cow pasture, which is now the golf course at the resort, is at the left side while his orchard can be seen on the right side of the photo.

When this photo was taken there was only a sign out at the Barlow Road, where the modern shopping center is presently located, directing people to turn south and drive to Welches Ranch one mile away.

Villages of Mt Hood Post Offices

The Villages of Mt Hood Post Offices

What gives a town, or in this case a village, its identity? In most cases it’s the establishment of a post office. Many feel that the establishment of a post office is truly that which makes a settlement a town or a village. The case is no different here on The Mountain, as each of our villages have been identified in that very same way. That identity still exists in places that no longer have a post office, such as Zigzag, Wemme and Faubion.

One might think that Welches, being the center of attention in our area, would have been the first post office to be established here, but it was actually the roots of the present day Brightwood post office that makes that claim. Samuel Welch, a local pioneer and Welches namesake’s first venture in the area was a hotel and general store in what was then called Salmon, Oregon, with a post office being established in 1891. His hotel was located near the present west end of Brightwood Loop near the Salmon River, and it wasn’t until 1910 that the name Brightwood was adopted. At that point in time it was located inside of McIntyre’s General Store near its present location. The Brightwood Post Office was discontinued in 1914 but reestablished in 1925.

The next in line as one travels east was Wemme. Named for E. Henry Wemme, the benefactor of the old Barlow Road, its post office was established in 1916. Wemme was discontinued upon the establishment of the new Welches post office in 1977.

The Welches post office was established at the Welch’s Ranch in June of 1905 with Linny Kern as the postmaster. Billy Welch succeeded Kern as postmaster in 1910 and served until 1940 when his wife Jennie took over. Jennie, for years the local matriarch, served until 1960 when the Welches post office was closed. The Welches post office was re-established in 1977. The original plan, at that time, was to move the Wemme post office into a new building on Welches Road, thus threatening to re-name Welches to Wemme. Because of the local outcry the postal service changed their plans and named the new post office Welches, thus insuring the perpetuation of its true identity.

In 1909, a post office was established in the little town of Rowe. Named for Henry S. Rowe, an ex-mayor of Portland who built the old Rhododendron Inn, the post office was located in Dad Miller’s store. The Rowe post office name was changed to Zigzag in 1917.

The Zigzag post office existed as its own entity until 1964 when it became a rural delivery station for the Rhododendron post office. Although the mail was sorted at Rhododendron, the mail was postmarked “Zigzag Rur St”. The Zigzag post office closed for good in 1974.

The Rhododendron post office was established in 1920 and is still operating today.

The Faubion post office, which was located in the old Cedarwood Store on what is now Faubion Loop operated from 1924 to 1932 and was operated by William Faubion, Jennie Welch’s father.

Please take some time to send a postcard to friends or relatives. Our postmasters on The Mountain are all friendly down to earth folks that would love to have you drop in. They will also remind you that they need your business to continue their existence.