Visit Historic The Dalles, Oregon
and step back in time
The Dalles, Oregon is located on the banks of the Columbia River.
The Dalles is the end of the overland Oregon Trail, and Rockfort Campsite is where the Lewis and Clark Expedition stopped during their historic journey to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory.
Our history goes back much farther than Lewis and Clark. This area, once known as Win-quatt, a Native American name meaning 'surrounded by rock cliffs', is a place where Native Americans have gathered for fishing and trading for ten thousand years. The original inhabitants, members of the Wasco-pam tribe, are now part of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Thirteen miles to the east is Celilo village, which was where the thundering waters of Celilo Falls on the Columbia once roared. The waters of the falls were buried in 1957 under a lake created by The Dalles Dam.
In just a few years, from 1850-1859, The Dalles grew from a remote mission and military outpost at Fort Dalles to a booming western town, filled with soldiers, god-fearing missionaries, goldminers, tavern owners, bordellos, emigrants, adventurers, gamblers and scallywags. By 1860 the reports were Dalles City had swollen to a "floating tent" population of 10,000.
Today you can see our living historic city as you walk our streets, visit museums and landmarks and participate in the cultural events held in our area. The downtown area has a series of spectacular talking murals, portraying historic events that have taken place in the area and played a crucial role in the development of Oregon's History. Contact The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce for more information.
The City of The Dalles is in the scenic Columbia River Gorge, which was carved by the Missoula Floods during the ice age. The town is located along Interstate I-84 approximately 82 miles east of Portland, Oregon. To our north is the majestic Columbia River, with our neighbors in Dallesport, Washington on the other side of The Dalles Bridge junction, on Hwy. 197. Just visible to the northwest are the snow-covered slopes of Mt. Adams. To the southwest is the towering figure of one of the other sentinels of the Cascades, Mt. Hood. The area is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with spectacular waterfalls, and your choice of white-water rafting, hiking, cycling, and year-round skiing at Timberline Lodge within an hour's drive. The Dalles Dam supplies the area with hydro-electric power, which was one of the primary reasons internet giant Google located a facility in The Dalles.
Historic The Dalles Days - Be Here Then
The Dalles, Oregon will be celebrating Historic The Dalles Days the third weekend in September 2009 with museum tours, music, food, art and cultural activities for children and adults. We are an official OREGON150 PARTNER, celebrating Oregon's Sesquicentennial anniversary of entry into the union, February 14, 1859.
Horse-drawn wagon rides, historical building tours, visits to Fort Dalles, the Original Wasco County Courthouse, the talking downtown murals, and antique cars, all add up to a celebration of an old west frontier town that was the center of activity for pioneers, Native American trade, militia, gold miners and mountain men in the wild west. But the highlight in 2009 will be the arrival of the Ben Kern Wagon Train , a live wagon train traveling from Huntington to The Dalles, along the historic Dalles Military Road.
You will find a lot of interesting activities happening in Wasco County during 2008-09. Take a look at our events schedule, and don't forget to mark your calendars for Historic The Dalles Days in September. We look forward to seeing you!
CLICK HERE FOR A SITE MAP TO HISTORICTHEDALLES.ORG
Don't miss
September 18-21, 2009
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