The Columbia River from a viewpoint along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail east of the Mosier Twin Tunnels. (Oregon State Archives, Scenic Image No. 20160316-9423)
Thank you for viewing this exhibit of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Continue learning about the highway with these resources:
Selected Web Links
Find resources related to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Keep up to date about current and planned projects related to the highway. Study reports, plans, maps and brochures. Learn more about the history of the highway and view photos.
Follow the "Columbia River Gorgeous" park ranger's blog. Learn about recreational opportunities along the highway and get a calendar of events for sites along the route.
View videos in the "Reconnecting the Gorge Series." Learn more about the highway history, designations and awards. Join volunteer opportunities and events.
Learn about the King of Roads exhibit. Plan your highway itinerary with descriptions of essential sights that include family offerings as well as more adventurous outings. Download detailed maps of the highway.
This hand painted glass slide shows the Tanner Creek Bridge. The circa 1920 image is by Cross & Dimmitt. (Image courtesy Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway)
Historic American Engineering Record View search results from the Library of Congress and browse images related to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Study drawings detailing the major engineering and design aspects of the highway.
Selected Books
Gronowski, Nancy H. and Jeanette Kloos.
A Study of the Columbia River Highway. Salem OR: Oregon Department of Transportation, 1987. (View the book online via Oregon State Library)
Lancaster, Samuel C.
The Columbia: America's Great Highway through the Cascade Mountains to the Sea. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2004. (View the 1915 edition of the book online via Google Books)
Mershon, Clarence E.
The Columbia River Highway: From the Sea to the Wheat Fields of Eastern Oregon. Portland OR: Guardian Peaks Enterprises, 2006.
Smith, Dwight A.
Columbia River Highway District. Salem OR: Oregon Department of Transportation, 1984. (View the book online via Oregon State Library)
Tuhy, John E. and Sam Hill.
The Prince of Castle Nowhere. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 1983.
Willis, Peg.
Building the Columbia River Highway – They Said It Couldn’t Be Done. Place: The History Press, 2014. (
Preview the book online via Google Books)