No, I don’t mean exercise. I’m talking about something much more fun ~ Historically Inspired Travel. Remember way back in May 26, 2023, when I had time to “take the long way home”? I also stopped at the beautiful historic Vista House on Crown Point in Multnomah County, Oregon.
The Dream
Samuel Lancaster, the consulting engineer for the Columbia River Highway, originally suggested his idea for an observatory at the site. He described the Crown Point promontory as the ideal site for “an observatory from which the view both up and down the Columbia could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite.” He said that such an observatory would also be a fitting memorial to “the trials and hardships of those who had come into the Oregon country.” And it could “serve as a comfort station for the tourist and the travelers of America’s greatest highway.” He suggested it be known as the Vista House. The Art Nouveau octagonal stone building was designed by Edgar M. Lazarus. Originally designed as a comfort station for people traveling on the newly completed Columbia River Highway it is now a museum, view point, gift shoppe, and of course a comfort station.
Construction of the Vista House began December 29, 1916. The initial funds set aside for this project were $3,812.35. Being that the plans included high-grade marble interior and brass fixtures, the building itself eventually cost about $70,000. According to an itemized list published by the Oregon Historical Society this was not including the $9,000 for the rock wall, the $8,000 for paving & gradation, the $6,000 for the architect and $3,000 for other misc costs. After almost 2 years of construction, the building was finally completed in 1918 and dedicated May 5, 1918.
Design
The exterior is gray sandstone, with a green tile roof. The interior is extensively finished in marble, even in the toilets. The floors and stairs in the rotunda and the wainscoting in the lower level are Alaskan marble. Most of the interior of the rotunda is light cream and pink limestone marble, including the hand-carved drinking fountains. The inside of the dome and its supporting ribs were painted to simulate the marble and bronze originally planned for the structure. The dome interior has bronze lining. The clerestory windows feature opalescent glass in a simple tracery pattern, with similar colored glass at the tops of the windows at the main level.
The building is a popular tourist stop for drivers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The building was refurbished and the interior restored to its 1916 appearance; it reopened in 2005 after five years of restoration work. The roof was completely rebuilt with an underlying membrane and new tiles. Exterior restoration was complete by 2002, the interior taking an additional 3 years. The restoration also made Vista House accessible to the handicapped with a disappearing lift. From the top of Vista House looking West you can see Portland and Vancouver, WA. Looking East you can see Beacon Rock on the other side of the gorge.
in 1971 Vista House was designated as a national natural Landmark. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Now-a-days it is owed by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
My Visit
Being I had no time-frame for which to be home, I decided to stop and look around without being rushed. I’m very glad that I did. This building is beautiful. I’m glad that I was seeing it after it had been restored and cared for by the “Friends of Vista House” for almost 20 years.
You know the saying, “The Devil is in the details”? Well Angels are also in the details. And small details abound at Vista house. The stained glass, the marble, and especially the carvings of the Indian faces near the domed ceiling. Each face is different. A kindly docent explained to me that no one knows who modeled for those faces. That there aren’t any extant written records regarding them. I think that was the detail that struck me most.
I tucked my fear of heights away, I climbed the stairs to the observation deck. The view of the gorge was amazing and worth the knots in my stomach. If the weather permits, I highly recommend it.
The gift shop is located in the lower level. It has a variety of items of remembrance on offer. I opted for books and postcards. The history of Vista House is much more interesting than I have been able to mention above. If you get a chance to visit be sure to stop by the gift shop. Proceeds help to support Vista House. Also, Crown Point marks the beginning of the “Waterfall Corridor”. It includes eight waterfalls along the historic highway.
All “photos” are postcards purchased in gift shop:
Friends of Vista House, est. 1982, in partnership with Oregon Parks & Recreation. PO Box 204 corbett, OR 97019
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