From the official end of the Oregon Trail in Oregon City to Timberline Lodge on the slopes of Mt. Hood, you can find history throughout Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory. Canadian freelance writer Kim Pemberton experienced this history for her 2019 Toronto Sun feature travel story. Her adventure began at Timberline Lodge.
Timberline Lodge was constructed between 1936 and 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression. It was built as a hotel and ski lodge and is the only National Historic Landmark hotel still being used for its original intent.
"The lodge attracts visitors interested in the history of Mt. Hood, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest region, and for the fact Mt. Hood has the longest ski season in North America," said Kim.
Timberline has always belonged to the US Forest Service, which issues permits to hotel operators to run the facility. In the summer months the Forest Service offers tours each day for visitors to get an in-depth historic angle on free guided tours.
"Historical details are everywhere in the lodge," said Kim. "The beautiful handwoven curtains replicate the first curtains used at the hotels, which were blankets issued to the workers who built the lodge."
Other locations highlighted on Kim's visit include the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and historic Willamette Falls in Oregon City.
Read Kim's full article about her adventure here.
