history museum

Time Travelers Reciprocal Membership Benefits

Cascade Locks Historical Museum is now a Time Travelers reciprocal museum! This national program allows our members to receive certain member benefits at over 500 museums nationwide. Visit the Time Travelers website for a full list of participating institutions and benefits.

City of Cascade Locks Celebrates 88th Anniversary

On June 11, 2023, the City of Cascade Locks celebrated its 88th anniversary of the vote that transitioned the community from an unincorporated community into a municipality.

In May 1935, a group of 60 citizens, mostly business owners and long-term residents, filed for the community to be incorporated as a City. The campaign brought out two "parties" of citizens, calling themselves the Independents and Taxpayers’ League. Those in favor of incorporation (the Independents) were looking for the community to embrace several opportunities.

Opportunity 1: Municipal water and electric service. The federal government installed a 10-inch water main as part of the Cascade Locks and Canal system that would need to be turned over to a municipality after the Bonneville Dam was completed in 1938. Citizens also desired street lighting improvements with the promise of hydroelectric power.

Excerpt from The Bonneville Dam chronicle., May 23, 1935.
Courtesy of Hood River County Library, housed online at https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/

Opportunity 2: Highway service. While the Columbia River Highway 30 reached Cascade Locks by 1916, in the 1930s there was a big reconstruction project making improvements to the road. This was a point of confusion for some Cascade Locks residents, some fearful that incorporating the town would halt highway work. The highway contractors rebutted that incorporated towns actually got more resources from the government and better highway treatment.

Opportunity 3: Park land. Residents knew that the Government Locks Reservation would become available after the completion of the Bonneville Dam. The Army would be willing to turn the land over to a municipality, but not an unincorporated community.

Political newspaper ad that reads "We urge you in the interests of a greater cascade locks to vote yes in the election June 11 on the incorporation of Cascade Locks." Full screen reader text at https://tinyurl.com/4kupxjcz

Political ad from The Bonneville Dam chronicle., June 6, 1935.
Courtesy of Hood River County Library, housed online at https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/

Opportunity 4: School control. 123 parents signed a petition against the Cascade Locks Schools superintendent Vernon G. Henderson in 1935, charging "moral turpitude," and citing the unacceptable culture of open smoking and no discipline at the high school, and that he couldn't teach mathematics. Following these charges, the Hood River county school district made the decision to terminate the contracts with Cascade Locks School principal Frank Autrieth and teacher Averill Stewart outright, and made a "gentleman's agreement" with Henderson that while his contract would be extended for one more year, he would not teach and seek another school. This was met with public outcry, but under the county system there was no option for appeal or recall on the school board.

Opportunity 5: Fire department. In 1934, the downtown business area experienced a devastating fire when a teenager blew up a fireworks stand. Citizens desired municipal fire suppression services.

Opportunity 6: Law and speed enforcement. Municipalities can choose to implement law enforcement and speed limits.

The primary argument against incorporating was that it would increase taxes. While tax increases are always contentious, this was the Great Depression. Many newer residents in Cascade Locks at this time had to abandon their homes in other places to come to work on federal WPA and CCC projects, building on the dam, trail systems, and highways. However, the rhetoric and descriptions accuse the loudest opponents of being wealthy investors making large purchases to develop commercial property and housing.

At the resulting election on June 11, 1935, the Independents won, incorporating the City of Cascade Locks. Once incorporation was certified, a rapid campaign ensued to elect a mayor, council, treasurer, recorder, and marshal. Captain Charles Nelson was elected to be the first mayor of Cascade Locks. The first city council included S.E. Perras, Carl Epping, Seth Clodfelter, Max Millsap, Julius Carlson, and Mae Silva.

Museum Closed for Winter

Museum season 2022 is a wrap! Thank you to the thousands of visitors who came to see us this year! It was so wonderful to welcome so many folks to our community.

The museum closes seasonally so that we can do all the important behind-the-scenes stuff that make our summers rock. We plan to come out of this winter with another major exhibit update and our first-ever strategic plan (YAY!!!!!). Thank you to Braemar Charitable Trust for supporting us on our strategic planning process.

Just because we're closed doesn't mean we're gone! Staff are available by email, phone, DM, and appointment. Stay tuned for off-site excitement through the winter, starting with a History Night at Gorges Beer Co. on November 10.

In the news: KGW's "What's in a Name?" Warrendale, Oregon

Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum executive director Janice Crane appeared on KGW 8’s “What’s in a Name?” series. Do you know how Warrendale, Oregon, got it’s name? Learn now on KGW’s site.

New! Family history activities available now.

We are delighted to offer a new set of family history activities! These worksheets are now available at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum. You can also download a PDF to do it yourself at home.

Recording memories as history

Telling stories can be a fun way to bond with family and friends. Did you know that your true stories are also important for history? Historians use journals, diaries, letters, notes, audio recordings, and even emails, blogs, and videos to show the thoughts and feelings that people have in response to big news and events. These recordings also help people understand how daily activities and trends change over time. Recording every day experiences helps future learners feel what daily life was like during historical events.

Think about events that have happened in your life.
Is there a story you would like to share?
How has daily life changed between when your grandparents were your age and now?

Would you like your story to be included in our museum collection? Send a copy of your story to the museum, or send a typed copy to collections@cascadelocksmuseum.org

Membership Drive July 24-July 31

It’s back! Our annual membership drive is July 24-31. Join or renew your family membership or above and receive tickets for two to ride sternwheeler Columbia Gorge.

Join in person at our annual membership meeting on Wednesday, July 28, at the museum during regular business hours, or online now. Family memberships are $35 and include unlimited admission to the museum for two (2) adults and four (4) children/grandchildren for one year.