Friday, November 8, 2019

The Historic Columbia River Highway Sign Story

I did a program for the Portland Women's Forum at their meeting yesterday.  The subject was how it came to be that I designed this sign and helped get it approved for use along the HCRH from Troutdale to The Dalles.  


This is the map of where it was posted, 68.5 miles of roadway!  So many people would get lost trying to find where it was and did not even know that they were on it!


This is from yesterday, the sign on the right was my original design and the one on the left was after the Oregon Department of Transportation Signage Dept. had it's way with the design, deleting a lot of the detail in my original drawing.  They felt it was easier to read.  I personally like the one with more "art".


These are two excerpts of a couple of newspaper articles that were printed after the adoption of the sign.  You can click on the image below to read it better.


One of my proudest achievements while living, working and volunteering in the Columbia River Gorge was designing the Historic Columbia River Highway road sign.  Here is my story. 

I served on the Historic Columbia River Highway Citizen’s Advisory Committee in the mid-1980s led by Jeanette Kloos, ODOT.  One of the discussion points of the group was that the road deserved it’s own sign so travelers would know they were tracing history as they drive the roadway.  I volunteered to sketch up something and used as my inspiration the cover of the book by Samuel Lancaster, “The Columbia - America’s Greatest Highway” 1915.

I got out my sketchbook and used pen and ink to draw what I felt would be an easy to read sign. I used a keystone shape to do my design.  On the cover of the book the rock wall wasn’t represented very well so in my drawing I brought the wall curving into view which also showed the roadway well.  The design was embraced by the advisory committee members.

The next thing I knew, I was testifying for its adoption in front of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, the Multnomah Country Commission and finally the Oregon Department of Transportation Commission.  I gave an impassioned speech to them all and lo and behold, each commission approved the idea and soon ODOT printed up the signs and installed them from Troutdale to The Dalles!  I must tell you my heart swells each time I pass one by.


I was serving at the time as the Executive Director of the Friends of Vista House and was also one of its founding members.

Here is the book cover that was my inspiration - suggested to me by one of the committee members.  The book was written by Samuel Lancaster, the creating force behind the building of the highway.


It's a wonderful book full of history of the area in which the highway was built.


I'm so happy that Mr. Lancaster honored and recognized the Native American Indians that populated the Columbia River Gorge before it was discovered by the early white Americans.


There is also excerpts from the Lewis & Clark Expedition journals.


Imagine my delight when there was a photo in this book of Indian trade beads found on Memaloose Island in the River near The Dalles.  These look much like the beads in my collection.


There are also drilled coins on the necklace, similar to the silver dime on one of my strands.


The beaded purse of Chief Joseph was given in a ceremony to Samuel Hill in 1905 - Hill was one of the men who supported the building of the HCRH.


A newer book that recognizes the sign project is this one by my friends Gary Law and Ken Manske and The Friends of Vista House.  The second photo at the top is from this book.


One of the first photos of the group that pitched in to fix up and add life to the Vista House and the founders of the Friends group.  I'm 6th from the left.


I was hired in 1982 to be the E.D. and here is the desk where all the magic happened.  :-)  I was given the keys to Vista House and not one dime of capital to start with.  I found some post cards to "buy" with a net 30 agreement and by the end of the month we had the money to pay the bill.  We also added books. 


The second summer we had been given permission by Oregon Parks & Recreation Dept. to open a gift shop in the basement and began to collect many local artists who sold their work on a consignment basis.  


Having an artist and graphic designer as the Ex. Dir. came in handy when we needed awards, newsletters, posters nd such.  I designed this one, used my calligraphy and drawing skills to create it, had it printed and then hand-lettered each volunteers name on them and presented them at our volunteer appreciation banquet at the end of each season.


So this is some history of our area.  I'm blessed to live here and have so many friends over the years.
Teresa  

15 comments:

  1. I guess so! You are a very talented and giving lady. I would embrace all those things too if I lived in that area.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a fascinating story! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Teresa, how special to read all about you and your history! I love your highway sign design. It's lovely to know such a special and talented woman. Thank you for sharing your amazing story.

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Large streams from little fountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow." Good things come from the perseverance of a few to benefit the so many.
    Well done, well done.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I remember most of this story and of course I've seen the signs along our travels on the Historic Columbia Highway. You are a wonderful ambassador for the beautiful area you live in. Thanks for sharing your story with us again.
    Blessings always my friend,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  6. HI Teresa I am finally catching up with all your lovely posts. I had Daisy stay and then I have been busy making her cake. What a wonderful story and your artwork is amazing. I agree I prefer your arty sign too. The history in your area is so fascinating. I would love to see the beauty there first hand. You have given so much to your locality, be very proud my friend. Have a lovely weekend hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. So interesting! Love your sign.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You have certainly been a tireless ambassador for the beautiful area you live in. How proud you must feel to have made such an important contribution to your lovely surroundings! Well done, Teresa! Thanks for sharing this interesting story and for giving your time and talents for so many years.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for documenting how you created your beautiful design and how it was chosen. I love knowing more about how your history is a positive part of our region's history, and I enjoyed reading the interesting book excerpts as well. Bravo! :-) ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a fascinating post and well done you on a fabulous design. You’ve certainly led an interesting life. B x

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a talented lady you are! I prefer your original design, too. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story with us. xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. You certainly are living a wonderful and interesting life. Thank you again for sharing another one of your amazing stories. xx Susan

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love how you put your unique and wonderful touch on the Colombia . Those posters and book covers are beautiful. I just found a poster that I believe is a National Park poster? by Everett McNear. I have the library of congress helping me find info. about it. I think its just a copy but it is really cute. I'll email it to you

    ReplyDelete
  14. I loved reading about your wonderful highway sign and how you designed it Teresa! A very interesting post. You are such a positive and active person...love how you have done so much for the beautiful place you live in. XXX

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are incredible Teresa. I love this post so much.

    ReplyDelete

I absolutely love comments and thank you so much for taking time to leave me a note. :-)