The History of the Recreation Residences on
Mt. Hood National Forest
By
Allie Wenzl
Historian & Tribal Relations Advisor, Mt. Hood National Forest
Introduction

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
History of Mt. Hood
National Forest
Early Recreation
Planning on Mt. Hood
Development of
Summer Home Tracts
Architectural
Characteristics of
Summer Homes
Historic Significance &
Future Preservation
History of Mt. Hood National Forest:
Bull Run Forest Reserve

History of Mt. Hood National Forest:
Cascade Range Forest Reserve

History of Mt. Hood National Forest
Mt. Hood National Park?

Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood

Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood

 “ Stores, hotels and
residences for
recreation” belonged on
the national forests
because they
contributed to “getting
the fullest use out of
the land and its
resources.”
Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood:
Come Play in the Forest
 1910- FS encouraged the
development of summer
homes and resorts
 1915 Term Occupancy Act
(same year Barlow road Toll
ended).
 1915 FS dedicated the
Columbia Gorge Park division
purely for recreation use only.
 1916 First Developed
Campground: Eagle Creek
Campground
 1917 FS hires first landscape
architect to prepare a national
study of recreation uses of
National Forests

Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood:
South Slope of Mt. Hood Recreation Plan

Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood:
Mount Hood Loop Highway

Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood:
Land Classifications

 “All National Forests lands therein are held for use
and enjoyment of the general public for recreational
purposes. A proper and orderly utilization of timber,
forage, water power, and other economic resources
shall be allowed within the area, but such utilization
shall not be permitted to impair the value of the area
as a site for public campgrounds, municipal or health
camps, sanitaria, club houses, hotels, summer homes,
or public utilities requisite for the comfort and
convenience of the people using the area for recreation
purposes.”
Early Recreation Planning on Mt. Hood:
Fred Cleator


Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood

There is a total of 10 summer
home tracts on Zigzag Ranger
District:
 Mile Bridge
 Tollgate
 Still Creek
 Camp Creek
 Old Oregon Trail
 Cool Creek
 Flag Mountain
 Vine Maple
 Zigzag Ski Club
 Zigzag Tract
Total of 553 active cabin permits.
Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood

Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood

Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood
Mile Bridge

Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood
Tollgate

Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood

“of a generally
accepted rustic
style and
attractive in
appearance.”
Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood
Still Creek

Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood
Old Oregon Trail

Development of the Summer Home
Tracts on Mt. Hood
Vine Maple

Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes

 Classified as Rustic,
Vernacular, or
Craftsman in design.
 Minimal decorative
elements are usually
confined to porches,
window trim and eave
boards.
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes: Rustic Style

Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes

Natural or native
materials,
especially stone and
timber
Varied exterior
treatment,
contrasting siding
on gable ends, etc.
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes

 Gable, hip and shed
roof shapes
 Dormers
complimenting or
contrasting to roof
shape
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes

Multi-paned
windows
Masonry
chimneys
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes

 Shutters on windows
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes

 Main entry covered
 Trim elements such as
brackets and posts.
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes: Outbuildings

Buildings associated with
the cabins include sheds,
outhouses, garages,
guesthouses, bunkhouses,
carports and detached
decks.
Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes: Hardscape Features

Architectural Characteristics of
Summer Homes: Cultural Landscape

Historic Significance & Future
Preservation

 Criteria A: Properties that are
associated with a pattern of events
and a historic trend that have made a
significant contribution to the
development of an area.
 Several tracts on Mt. Hood National
Forest are significant for its
association with the development of
the Mount Hood National Forest’s
and the Mount Hood Loop
Highway’s recreation plans, which
were created in the early part of the
twentieth century during a specific
era of national and regional interest
in nature and outdoor recreation and
early automobile culture.
Historic Significance & Future
Preservation

 Criteria C: Properties that
embody distinctive
characteristics of a type,
period, or method of
construction, or that represent
the work of a master, or that
possess high artistic values, or
that represent a significant
and distinguishable entity
whose components may lack
individual distinction.
Historic Significance & Future
Preservation

 New guidance on historic
preservation methods.
 Continue to develop
relationships with cabin
owners based on a shared
common purpose: cabin
preservation.
 Continue to educate new
and existing cabin owners
on historic cabins and
design guidelines.
Thank You
