mt hood loop highway

Arrah Wanna Hotel in Wemme Oregon

A History of Arrah Wanna

Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the Salmon River in Wemme, Oregon, the Arrah Wanna Lodge began its story in 1909 when George Routledge acquired 160 acres of timberland. This land, about a mile from the nearest automobile road, became the foundation for a mountain retreat that would endure decades of transformation.

The New Mount Hood Hotel - The Sunday Oregonian Sept. 11. 1910 — The New Mount Hood Hotel – The Sunday Oregonian Sept. 11. 1910

The Birth of Arrah Wanna Hotel

In 1909, the Mount Hood Hotel Company, led by C. W. Kern, J. R. Routledge, and R. Woods, planned to construct a Swiss Chalet-style hotel. Kern had operated the Welches Hotel for five years prior to this. By 1910, construction had begun on an 80 x 90-foot, two-story building with 40 rooms and wide verandas. The hotel featured rough timber finishes, large stone fireplaces, and running water. The estimated construction cost was $20,000, with plans to open for the 1910 season.

Arrah Wanna Hotel 1914 - Ivan Wooly photo — Arrah Wanna Hotel 1914 – Ivan Wooly photo

Early Years and Challenges

The hotel was completed amidst financial struggles, but its location and design attracted conventions and gatherings, including a YMCA conference in 1916. Despite these successes, by 1918, ownership changed hands when J. L. Bowman of the Brownsville Woolen Mill Store in Portland purchased the property. Bowman leased the hotel to Mr. and Mrs. George L. Spencer, who elevated its reputation as a high-class resort with features such as chicken dinners and the famous “Spencer Hot Gingerbread.” A giant fir tree near the hotel became a prominent attraction, boasting a circumference of 41 feet and a height of 300 feet.

The Arrah Wanna Hotel Now Open For Business - The Oregon Daily Journal Jult 29, 1913 — The Arrah Wanna Hotel Now Open For Business – The Oregon Daily Journal Jult 29, 1913

A Tragic Fire and Rebirth

On June 5, 1922, tragedy struck when the Arrah Wanna Hotel burned to the ground. The fire, fanned by strong winds, reduced the wooden structure to ruins within half an hour. Despite the destruction, the surrounding cottages and J. L. Bowman’s summer home were saved.

By May 1924, a new hotel rose on the site, featuring 17 guest rooms and 10 bungalows, the lodge was constructed primarily of native fir with hard maple floors. Modern conveniences including an electric plant at the Salmon River, hot and cold running water and the traditional activities such as hiking, trout fishing, and berry picking drew guests. A boardwalk along the river and new bungalows were added to enhance the experience.

"View of Modern Structure Which Replaces Building Burned Down Year Ago" — “View of Modern Structure Which Replaces Building Burned Down Year Ago”

Growth and Changing Management

John L. Bowman passed away July of 1928. He was the president of the Brownsville Woolen Mills and a large part of the history of the Arrah Wanna Hotel for ten years.

J. L. Bowman, Arrah Wanna Hotel owner, dies - The Oregonian July 20, 1928 — J. L. Bowman, Arrah Wanna Hotel owner, dies – The Oregonian July 20, 1928

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Arrah Wanna Hotel underwent various management changes and improvements. Dining options like their specialty, $1.50 chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy dinners were advertised. Entertainment, including music, dancing, and campfire gatherings, enriched the guest experience. By 1936, beer was served at the lodge under a new license but management of the lodge struggled. Despite these efforts, financial difficulties led to periodic closures and the hotel being listed for sale or lease.

Oregon Baptist Church Buys Arrah Wanna

In 1941, the lodge entered a new chapter when a Baptist church group purchased the property for $12,750 to create a summer camp. Renamed Camp Arrah Wanna, the facility hosted its first youth camp that summer. A five-year improvement plan included the addition of a Bible house, tabernacle, dining hall, and swimming pool. The camp became a cornerstone for religious retreats and youth activities in the area.

"Arrah Wanna Inn, Brightwood Mt Hood Loop Oregon" — “Arrah Wanna Inn, Brightwood Mt Hood Loop Oregon”

Into Modern Times

By 1952, a new swimming pool was constructed, and in 1962, $50,000 was allocated for further improvements. From 1969 Arrah Wanna was one of the camps throughout the state that hosted Portland Public Schools Outdoor School program. A program of six days of outdoors camp where sixth grade students learned about science and nature.

Today, Camp Arrah Wanna remains under the ownership of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Pacific Coast, serving as a retreat and recreational facility. It is also available for conferences and events.

Legacy of the Arrah Wanna Hotel

From its early days as a luxurious mountain hotel to its transformation into a church camp and community center, the Arrah Wanna Hotel has been a vital part of Oregon’s history. Its scenic location, rich activities, and mountain lodge charm continue to captivate visitors and uphold its legacy as a beloved landmark in the Mount Hood area.

Portland’s Buffalo Bill – William DeVeny

Zigzag Cabin Owner: A Local Legend

In the early 1900s, the Montavilla neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, was home to one of its most fascinating figures: Dr. William DeVeny. Known as the “Buffalo Bill of Portland,” DeVeny was a community leader, civic advocate, and larger-than-life character who left a lasting legacy in Montavilla and the Mount Hood region.

DeVeny’s striking appearance, with long hair, a thick beard, and his signature buckskin attire, earned him his nickname, reportedly bestowed by Buffalo Bill Cody himself. But DeVeny was more than a local icon—he was a man of action.

A Visionary for Montavilla

DeVeny was deeply committed to improving Montavilla. As secretary of the Montavilla Board of Trade, he led efforts to attract businesses to the area, including a fruit cannery, chair factory, and broom factory. He championed better schools, clean water, and libraries, believing these were the keys to a thriving community.

One of his most ambitious campaigns was advocating for Montavilla’s annexation to Portland. DeVeny argued that annexation would bring essential improvements, such as deeper water mains to prevent freezing in winter and better funding for schools. Although his push faced resistance and was defeated in initial votes, DeVeny persisted, convinced that annexation would benefit the neighborhood.

In 1907, his political aspirations led him to run for city council. However, his campaign was marred by a petition controversy when hired collectors submitted duplicate signatures. Though he was not directly involved, his name was removed from the ballot, marking a setback in his political career.

Connecting the Mount Hood Wilderness

DeVeny’s passion for community development extended beyond Montavilla to the wilderness surrounding Mount Hood. He owned a cabin near the mountain, which he named The Scout’s Rest in homage to Buffalo Bill Cody’s Nebraska ranch.

Recognizing the importance of accessibility, DeVeny spearheaded the construction of a road connecting the Mount Hood automobile road to Truman Road on the north side of the Sandy River. Known as DeVeny Road, the project required multiple bridges and opened vital pathways for settlers, forest rangers, and tourists.

Completed in 1913, the road was a significant milestone in connecting communities and encouraging tourism in the Mount Hood region. Although later renamed Lolo Pass Road, DeVeny’s efforts are still remembered as a crucial step in the area’s development.

A Complex Character

Throughout his life, DeVeny’s views evolved. Once an advocate for military training for boys, he later voiced support for anti-war sentiments, particularly during the early days of World War I. Some speculate that his shift was influenced by his sons’ draft eligibility.

Beyond his civic and political work, DeVeny was a skilled chiropodist and photographer, operating studios with his wife, Martha, before settling in Portland. He was also an advocate for women’s suffrage and equal rights, reflecting his progressive outlook for the time.

A Lasting Legacy

Dr. William DeVeny passed away in 1918 at the age of 65. He was remembered by The Oregonian as a civic leader, community advocate, and friend of famous frontiersmen. His contributions to Montavilla and Mount Hood have left an indelible mark on Oregon’s history.

Today, as visitors travel the trails of Mount Hood or walk the streets of Montavilla, they tread paths shaped by DeVeny’s vision. His life serves as a reminder of the impact one person can have on a community, blending progress with a pioneer’s spirit

The Modern Barlow Trail Road

The Historic Paths of Barlow Trail Road and Lolo Pass Road

Have you ever driven along Barlow Trail Road or Lolo Pass Road and wondered where they came from? These quiet, winding roads are more than just roads we take to come and go—they’re living pieces of history.

Long before cars or bicycles rolled over these paths, there were game trails and pathways used by the area’s first inhabitants. Later, they became lifelines for Oregon Trail pioneers. Over time, they evolved into crucial connections for residents and the modern communities we know today.

Covered Wagon Wagon crossing Mount Hood Oregon

From Wagon Wheels to Hackett Road

Back in the mid-1800s, the original Barlow Trail was a rugged but vital route for settlers completing the Oregon Trail. As pioneers descended from Mount Hood, they followed the north side of the Zigzag River to its meeting point with the Sandy River. At the big bend of the Sandy, they crossed using a log bridge built by settlers.

Later, the trail shifted to the south side of the Sandy River, leaving remnants of its earlier path behind. Eventually, parts of the old trail were reworked into rudimentary roads for local use, including one that became Hackett Road. Named after early settlers in the area, the memory of whom lives on in the name of nearby Hackett Creek.

Early Sandy River Bridge at Brightwood Oregon

The McIntyre Bridge: A Critical Connection

By 1910 access to the road on the north side of the Sandy River was a challenge for settlers. Simple, primitive, early bridges would come and go depending on the water levels of the Sandy River. In that year J.T. McIntyre, an early settler in the Brightwood area, built a sturdy bridge over the Sandy River at Brightwood, creating access to the road on the north side of the river.

This new bridge not only facilitated travel for those living in the area but also laid the groundwork for the road’s later development and naming. Without McIntyre’s efforts, the settlers on the north side would have remained isolated from the growing Mt Hood automobile road nearby.

The Road to The Truman Farm

Around the time that the McIntyre Bridge was built, Ezra and Eliza Truman homesteaded on the north side of the Sandy River, near Zigzag Ridge. Ezra, a mountain guide and farmer, used the newly connected road to access their homestead and to deliver milk and produce to their neighbors.

Over time, this road became known as Truman Road, named after the family who lived at the very end. The route remained essential even after Ezra’s death in 1917, as it provided critical access to settler’s homes, and cabins and lodges to service a newly forming tourism industry that would develop in the area with the increase of automobile traffic on the old automobile road to Mount Hood.

DeVeny Road: A Valuable Connection

In the early 20th century, Dr. William DeVeny, a local Zigzag cabin owner and civic leader from Montavilla, now a part of Portland, saw the need for further improvements to the local roads. With support from the Mount Hood Improvement Association, formed by DeVeny and other locals who would benefit from the new road, as well as local government funding, he spearheaded the construction of DeVeny Road linking the Mount Hood automobile road on the south side of the Sandy River to the east end of Truman Road on the north.

By 1913, the project was complete. Bridges over Bear Creek, the Zigzag River, and the Sandy River were built. DeVeny Road became a vital road for settlers, forest rangers, and visitors exploring the Mount Hood wilderness.

A Modern Legacy

Time moved on, but these roads kept serving the community, adapting to new needs while preserving their historical roots. In 1979, the Clackamas County Historical Society renamed Truman Road to Barlow Trail Road, paying homage to the pioneers who forged the original trail. Meanwhile, DeVeny Road became part of what we now know as Lolo Pass Road and its original name faded from memory.

Roads Worth Remembering

Today, whether you’re coming home, heading out, visiting a neighbor, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, you’re traveling through history. These roads are more than asphalt and gravel—they’re stories of ancient times, courage, determination and, ultimately, community.

So next time you’re driving down Barlow Trail Road or Lolo Pass Road, take a moment to appreciate the history beneath your wheels. You’re following in the footsteps—and wagon tracks—of those who came before us.

Lolo Pass Ski Trip

A classic Lolo Pass Ski Trip from 1955.

Lolo Pass, on the west side of Mount Hood takes a route that goes from Zigzag, on the southwest side of the mountain, to the Hood River Valley on the north side. It travels between the west face of the mountain and the Bull Run watershed, the source of the city of Portland’s water.

I collect old photos of Mount Hood and I thought that I’d share these old photos of a Lolo Pass Ski Trip. They’re a series of medium format negatives that I have digitized. They are dated April 5, 1955. They show a group of skiers enjoying a beautiful day, with a clear of Mount Hood in the distance. They seem to have a key to the gate that allows then access to the road. In one photo you can see a sign that shows a sign to the Bull Run Lake Trail.

Today, since the Patriot Act, everything west of Lolo Pass Road to Bull Run Lake is off limits. This group seems to be following the main road. The views in the photos can be seen clearly from some of the same viewpoints today.

Pacific Crest Trail

Springs Indian Reservation (10) Timberline Lodge Mount Hood Wilderness Lolo Pass Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (8) Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness

The Mountain View Inn

The Mountain View Inn, Government Camp, Oregon

This is the old Mountain View Inn under heavy snow in the 1940’s. The Mountain View Inn was a hotel in the little Mt Hood town of Government Camp, Oregon.

The Mountain View Inn was originally the home of Lena Little, wife of pioneer homesteader Francis C. Little. The building was relocated from its original place to the north side of the main road through Government Camp.

Not long after it was relocated Jack Rafferty leased it to be converted into a hotel called Rafferty’s or Rafferty’s Hut. He later bought the property. Later the place was called the Tyrolian Lodge. It was closed through World War II.

After the War Harry Albright re-opened the inn and changed the name to the Mountain View Inn.

The old Inn burned in 1955. It was located across the street from Daar’s ski shop which is Charlie’s Mountain View today.

The Mountain View In at Government Camp Oregon

The Mt Hood Skiway Tram

. The Mount Hood Aerial Transportation Company was formed with a plan to create an aerial tramway to Timberline Lodge on the south slope of Mount Hood from Government Camp, the gathering spot for every activity on The Mountain. It was to be called The Skiway

Tawney’s Mountain Home

In the early days the Welches Hotel wasn’t the only resort in the Salmon River Valley in the foothills of Mount Hood, Oregon. About a mile past the Welch’s place, at the end of the road, was Tawney’s Mountain Home. Situated along the Salmon River with vast stretches of wilderness surrounding it, Tawney’s Hotel was an outdoor vacation destination from 1910 to 1945.

The hotel was built on a portion of the old Walkley family homestead south of Welches. The Walkley’s didn’t operate a hotel, but they kept boarders in their home. John Maulding and his wife bought the property in 1906, which included 100 acres and the Walkley home. The home was remodeled and enlarged using the homestead house for the dining room, with an addition for lodging, turning it into what was known as the Maulding’s Hotel.

In 1909 Francis H. Tawney and his wife Henriett leased the property and in 1910 they purchased it and started improvements to the hotel. In 1913 a fire burned a large portion of the old hotel building. A new two story addition was quickly built and new hotel was ready for guests in 1914.

Tawney's Hotel, Welches Oregon before the fire — Tawney’s Hotel, Welches Oregon before the fire

Tawney’s Hotel was a large building with 15 guest rooms. Because the hotel was so popular, they erected tent cabins on the grounds outside to accommodate more guests. As you entered the building you came into a huge living area with a large rock fireplace. There was a large staircase leading to the upper floor where the guest rooms were located. Adjoining the living room was a huge dining room with its own fireplace and a large dining table. There was only one indoor bathroom, with commode and a bathtub. It was located off the dining room. It was said that you practically needed a reservation if you wanted to use it.

Back then a week’s stay cost $10, including meals. Mrs. Tawney, with the help of Emily, the wife of their only son Clyde, cooked for the guests. She served the meals Family Style with full platters of chicken, roast beef, and steak. She always had jams, fresh bread, pies, and canned foods available. She made large sugar cookies for the children, but it was common for the adults to raid the cookie jar.

Tent Bungalows at Tawney's Hotel, Welches Oregon — Tent Bungalows at Tawney’s Hotel, Welches Oregon

Keeping the hotel supplied with food could be challenging during busy times. There could be up to 150 people there to enjoy a Sunday dinner. In addition to the food that they supplied themselves some staples and canned goods were delivered once a week from Portland. There was also a butcher wagon who would make daily deliveries from Sandy to the hotels and cabin residents during the summer. He would arrive and open the doors to the insulated wagon to show different cuts of beef and lamb packed in ice.

The Tawney’s kept their own animals, including cows, pigs, and chickens. They had horses for guests to ride and a pair of donkeys for the children. Frequently Mr. Tawney would take a party of people on a wagon trip to Government Camp to pick huckleberries and have a picnic lunch.

Tawney’s Hotel, Welches Oregon after the fire showing new addition.

They had a garden, an apple orchard and had berries for pies. They also used wild game and trout from the river and local creeks, sometimes supplied by the guests. The Salmon River was located nearby and provided lots of swimming and fishing. In 1910, B. Trenkman, C.J. Cook, and L. Therleson made a 1.5-hour trip up to Camp Creek for fishing. The three men came back with 286 trout. It was said to be one of the best meals at the Tawney Hotel.

Nell Howe, a longtime resident, remembered on summer days the most wonderful food. She said, “In the summertime the tables in the dining room were full for every meal and sometimes people were waiting their turn.” When guests looked back, they remember their fun summer memories of swimming in the river, fishing, helping with the chores, and enjoying the food.

Guests at Tawney's Hotel, Welches Oregon — Guests at Tawney’s Hotel, Welches Oregon

The hotel closed its doors in 1945, most likely due to the loss of business and the scarcity and cost of goods during World War II. The Tawney’s were in their later years by this time and the work involved in running a business like that was in their past. Mr. Tawney passed away in 1947 and soon after Mrs. Tawney moved to Portland with her daughter and son-in-law. She lived until 1959.

Sometime in the late 1950’s the old Tawney’s Mountain Home collapsed under the load of a heavy snowstorm. The property sold and the new owner demolished what was left of the old building leaving the two stone fireplaces as the only evidence of the good old days of Tawney’s Mountain Home and a significant part of the history of Welches Oregon.

Tawney's Mountain Home Advert — Tawney’s Mountain Home Advert

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