It appears that they are working on the Cape Horn Highway on the Washington side, but I don't think that was started until the late 1920's.

Beautiful rock work.
Last month I took a Spirit of Portland boat trip down the Willamette. The guide pointed out the rock bridge supports that were crafted by Germans, the same rock and craftsmen that were used on Cascade Locks.
I wonder if Italians and Germans were similar or different in their rock work. Why were Italians brought in to do the rock work on the Columbia River Highway, if the Germans were already here?

L.E. on 3rd November 2016 @ 8:33am

I think Ruth Shafer was only in Hood River for 2 years,so the date of 1921 is probably correct.

Structural masonry like bridges and ornamental masonry like railings were different crafts. I suspect there was plenty of work for both crews with this project.

Arthur on 3rd November 2016 @ 9:39am

I hope all you HHR followers are also hooked in to the HR News' regular column of "Yesteryears".

nels on 3rd November 2016 @ 12:18pm

Following the rock work on the CGHiway many of the Italians came to Central Oregon and worked on the dam for the Tumalo Reservoir. A few went to the Coast and did the fireplaces in the cottages being built during the '20s. We had one in our Cottage at Gearhart. Apparently, they were master rock builders.

Jill Stanford on 3rd November 2016 @ 3:33pm

Hmmm- I looked at this and thought Rowena Crest….

Beth on 3rd November 2016 @ 9:47pm

Definitely Rowena Crest

Longshot on 4th November 2016 @ 6:43am

Ahhhh. Maybe that is why I can't make that stupid Washington hillside make any sense.

L.E. on 4th November 2016 @ 7:37am

Good catch Beth! In 1921 the Rowena Crest mortar probably wasn't even fully cured. No wonder it looks so fresh. The paving between HR and the Dalles happened between 1920 and 1922.

Arthur on 4th November 2016 @ 9:43am

Strange - I went to pics I took just last month of Rowena Crest, and the railings there now are different. One section is wood-and-wire, the other is stone but without these arched cutouts... just solid stone. Was the modern wood section formerly this arched stone?

Kyle on 4th November 2016 @ 11:02am

Excellent question Kyle. Google street view shows what you say very clearly, but also verifies we are at the right spot-- almost. I think this picture was taken alongside the highway just slightly down from the Rowena Crest viewpoint. The highway is lined with this arched stonework, and I'll bet we can find this exact section if you're willing to risk the traffic.

Arthur on 4th November 2016 @ 12:52pm

The arches-and-stone motif was mimicked nicely on the car-free section between HR and Mosier, in several places. They look just like this, minus the fashonably dressed 20's ladies.

Kyle on 1st December 2016 @ 12:17pm

Mark A. Mayer gave lands for the parksite.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1923-12-27/ed-1/seq-1/

Jeffrey W Bryant on 25th August 2021 @ 5:29am