The Columbia Highway in Oregon 



By Henry L. Bowlby 

 Formerly State Highway Engineer of Oregon 



THE nation-wide campaign for better roads has 

 been responsible for the construction, during the 

 past five years, of many highways that not only 

 have a local interest but also are of national importance. 

 The continuance of the European war has added an un- 

 usual impetus to the building of trunk highways that 

 will enable Americans to "See America First" and at the 

 same time link together neighboring states with a means 

 of communication that will form an important part in any 

 plan for national preparedness. 



For the growth of these national highways the Pacific 

 Coast has proven to be the most fertile ground. An im- 

 mense territory, with few existing roads, it is a paradise 

 for the highway engineer, affording as it does an op- 

 portunity to display his ingenuity and to put into practice 

 the best there is in modern highway engineering. 



Our Pacific Coast States are separated ,from the 

 main part of the United States by an almost impassable 



barrier. The Cascade Mountain range is unbroken from 

 British Columbia to Mexico, except in three places ; the 

 Frazier River on the north in Canada ; the Klamath River 

 between Oregon and California ; and the Columbia River 

 between Oregon and Washington. 



There are several passes which make it possible for 

 the transcontinental railroads to reach the coast during 

 most of the year. Every winter some or all of these 

 railway lines are blocked by snow. The only route to 

 the Pacific ocean that was open every day this past 

 winter was the Columbia River route, and it is along 

 this route that the wonderful Columbia River highway 

 is being built, a highway which is one of the most notable 

 of the scenic attractions of the Pacific Coast. 



The great gorge of the Columbia River provides some 

 of the grandest scenery in the world. Its beauties have 

 been portrayed by John Muir, John Burroughs, Joaquin 

 Miller, and many othej lovers of the beautiful in nature. 



THE FAMOUS VIEW FROM CROWN POINT 



Here the road makes an almost perfect circle around the big bluff which overlooks the river. This is a *""<* P * f^"J" a d 

 traveler and is perhaps the best viewpoint along the entire route. The river may be seen for a long distance in each direction, and 

 there is a fine view of the country on the north bank of the stream. 



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