Columbia River Highway | 1917 Remastered w/sound (HD1080)

Amazing views along the newly created Columbia River Highway in 1917.
Film has been remastered up to HD 1080, colorized and background sound added.
Some of the title cards are missing from the original film, here are the captions:
“Looking down at Rooster Rock from the highway.”
Tourists view cliffs. Views of the highway - going over a bridge - automobiles on highway and bridge - building under construction on a high point.
“Eastward through the Gorge of the Columbia from Crown Point. A magnificent panorama is revealed to all travelers who circle around the top of the great rock on the Columbia River Highway.”
River as seen from the highway.
“The smooth surface of the finished pavement is delightful to drive over. The roadway forms a suitable frame to the beautiful picture and adds a charm to the landscape.”
“Concrete Bridge at Latourell Falls. Here are three arches eighty feet in length; the bridge is one hundred feet in height.”
Automobile traffic on bridge.
“The Falls of Multnomah. The source of this crystal stream is Larch Mountain, 4000 feet above the highway. There are two falls, the first being a perpendicular of 600 feet. The water pounds into a circular basin, and then with comet-like reverberation flows swiftly under a slender arch bridge only to drop almost 70 feet, nearly to the level of the Columbia.”
“Tunnel at Oneonta Gorge. The Highway crosses the stream on a concrete bridge and enters a tunnel which pierces the east wall of the gorge, which is two hundred and five feet in height.”
“Horsetail Falls. Coming from a great height, the water shoots downward with a high velocity as it passes over the face of the moss covered cliffs. It resembles the tail of a horse. There is excellent fishing in the pool at the base of the falls.”
“St. Peter’s Dome. This mighty monolith is one of several that stand like sentinels in the Gorge of the Columbia.”
“The Falls of McCord Creek. Situated near the heart of the Cascade Range, this mountain torrent has a picturesque setting. It is wild and beautiful; typical of the ‘Columbia Gorge Park’ which has been set aside by the national government for public recreation.”
“Three-hinged concrete bridge, Moffett Creek.”
“The finished roadway crosses the stream on an arch of stone and concrete. Substantial stone walls with concrete copings protect the traveling public.”
“Shepperd’s Dell looking west. The white arch of concrete bridges a chasm one hundred and fifty feet in width and one hundred and forty feet in depth.” [1917]
b. “Shady drives and good roads.”
#history
#sidehistory
#vintagefilm
#timemachine

[@AnyHistory]

Got a great recommendation: change the playback speed to 0.75, it will make the faster original speed from the old film more natural. Click on the gear icon next to the C.C. box.

[@sherylbrandon5947]

WONDERFUL film!

[@offthegridgreco]

As well as this piece is done, I challenge you to do your own piece on the many rock structures throughout the Oregon roads. They are amazing!!

[@AnyHistory]

Thank you! Great Idea! I grew up and took a geology class in college and was amazed at what was under my feet!

[@cheswick617]

Notice how swollen at flood stage the Columbia River is in the background of many of the video sections? This is prior to the construction of the Bonneville dam which helped to greatly reduce Flooding by the Mighty Columbia River.

[@AnyHistory]

Spread the word! If you like great stories, documentaries and videos, please subscribe, share and hit the bell icon!

[@johndorsey9480]

That was great! Just super, there’s still photos that were taken of the Gorge that if they don’t copy them now they will be gone for good. OPB had a documentary on a photographer but I can’t remember his name. We need to preserve our Oregon history

[@tonyawalters6751]

Where is the meadow located that was shown prior to the horsetail falls piece, anyone know?

[@AnyHistory]

I think it is the oneonta falls trailhead www.google.com/maps/@45.5895656,-122.0753324,2a,75y,156.42h,70.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stMutqKrAYXQ-8wTSBwQmKw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en