Columbia Gorge Real Estate Blog

My husband and I purchased this Stevenson, WA. house in 2001 from a bank. It was a total wreck, had been vacant for quite a while and needed everything. We spent about a year totally repairing and rebuilding it (we are licensed contractors) We started with foundation work-repairing and replacing where necessary, framing repairs, new windows and doors, new cedar shingle siding, 30 year arch comp roof, new cedar deck, all new electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, fully insulated, all new drywall, paint, flooring, new kitchen and bath cabinets and fixtures. This house was transformed from a nightmare of a place into a beautiful home! We sold it in 2003 and now it is going to be available for sale again. This is a special home with gorgeous views of the Columbia River and the gorge mountains. Located on nearly 1/2 acre yet walking distance to town, schools, and pool.  This house is almost 1700  sq ft, 3 bdrms, 2 full baths, bonus room in the daylight basement with access to outside-would make a great office or can be used as a family room. The current owners have done an amazing job with the landscaping the past 4 years.  This home has so much character and charm! Ready for a new family to love living here! For more information on this house call or email me. $289,000

SATURDAY SEPT 1st  the 11th annual Show'N Shine will be held in Stevenson Washington

This event begins at noon and is held at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum at 990 Rock Creek Drive near Skamania Lodge in Stevenson. More than 100 entrants of classic cars and trucks in over 20 categories are expected.  A Best of Show will be awarded by People's Choice, as well as a Best of Show determined by registered vehicle owners. Auto registration is $10. The first 125 registered vehicles will receive one guest pass to the museum.  Admission to the Show'N Shine is free. There will be food, beverages, and raffle tickets from area busnesses available.  for more information call 1-800-991-2338

Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum is housed in a new 50,000 square ft. building. Three additional hangars are used for storage and mechanics, while two large fields have areas for aircraft parking, displays, and camping. The Grand Opening and Fly-In will be held Sept. 7-9 in Hood River.  Friday and Saturday 8 am-6pm and Sunday  8 am-Noon.  To date over 200 antique aircraft and vehicles are registered to attend!

The new museum located next to the Ken Jernstedt Airfield (aka Hood River Airport)is unusual as it is a "living museum" where all the aircraft are "air-worthy".  When a plane or automobile is acquired, if it doesn't run, mechanics work on it to restore it to it's original purpose. There are currently forty-six flying antique aircraft, two dozen automobiles and a half-dozen military jeeps which make up the permanent collection of WAAAM.

A special gem of the collection is a 1916 Curtiss JN4D Jenny, serial number 1.  There were over 5,000 Jennys built, yet only a half dozen survive.  Many of the other airplanes in the collection are the last of their make and model or the only ones left flying, such as a 1937 Aeronca LC, or the 1928 American Eagle, or even the 1931 Curtiss Wright 12-W.

WAAAM plans to offer classes to select students to preserve the knowledge of restoring and operating antique aircraft and automobiles.  VOLUNTEERS are needed for the upcoming Fly-In. If you are interested call 541-308-1600

Here are the year to date sales figures from the RMLS for Stevenson, WA. in Skamania County.

Month   Year    Listed     volume           average           sold              volume      average        DOM

Jan    2007        4         1,583,900        395,975              2              689,000      344,500       287 

Feb    2007        1          299,000         299,000              2              655,090      327,545        107

Mar    2007        3           977,900         325,966             1              315,553      315,553         62

Apr    2007        4          1,215,800        303,950              0                0                 0                0

May   2007        4          1,360,000        340,000              1              225,000      225,000        132

Jun    2007        3             817,000        272,333              3              850,000      283,333        31

Jul     2007        5           1,537,000       307,400              4              931,400      232,850       124

Aug   2007         4             976,500        244,125             1              499,900      499,900       238

 Totals               28          8,767,100        313,111           14          4,165,943      297,567       140

It's almost time again for the 2nd annual Vintage Auto Tour sponsored by The History Museum. The date is SEPT  22, 2007

There are close to 50 antique and vintage vehicles that have already registered for the tour through the Mosier Twin Tunnels. The schedule includes:

• Vintage auto tour (pre- 1949's) drive through the Mosier Twin Tunnels
• Downtown Parade of Cars
• Cars of Yesteryear show on the Marina Green (pre-1970's)
• Special museum exhibits and displays
• Barbecue lunch on the museum grounds
• Music, fun and food

The Barlow Road is a famous section of the Oregon Trail. It was built as an alternate route around Mt. Hood from The Dalles to Oregon City. This route gave the pioneers a second choice to the treacherous rapids of the Columbia River.

When Samuel K. Barlow arrived at The Dalles from Illinois in 1845 he was unhappy with the high toll fees charged to emigrants going down the Columbia River. He also had concerns about the dangers of this route. Barow scouted out a wagon road around the south side of Mt. Hood which he began operating as a toll road in 1846. The road was very rough with trees and rocks which made it even more difficult. When the road opened in 1846 Barlow charged $5.00 per wagon and 10 cents for every head of livestock. Five dollars was about a weeks wages, however the fee to float down the Columbia River in boats or rafts was nearly $50.00. By 1863, tolls had changed to $2.50 per wagon and team, 75 cents for horse and rider, and 10 cents for other livestock.

The Barlow Road operated under many owners as a toll road from 1846 to 1919.  After 1919 there were no more tolls collected when the estate of the final owner deeded the road to the State of Oregon.


Many say the Barlow Road started in The Dalles. However in 1845 when Sam Barlow scouted the new road, there was already a route from The Dalles to Tygh Valley. By 1850, many emigrants by-passed The Dalles. They would travel straight from the John Day River to Tygh Valley and cross the Deschutes River at Sherar's Bridge. Tygh Valley could be considered the beginning of the Barlow Road.

According to the National Park Service, the start of the road is considered to be the first tollgate site at Gate Creek. Whatever starting point you choose, the ending was always Oregon City, which was the "End of the Oregon Trail."

The Oregon Trail was named a National Historic Trail by Congress in 1978. This Historic Trail designation was meant to protect the trail remnants and artifacts for public enjoyment. There is actually very little of the original Oregon Trail still visible today, only about 20 percent of which approximately 10 percent of this is on National Forest land. On April 13, 1992, the Barlow Road was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District.

The Mount Hood National Forest maintains 40 miles of Barlow Road corridor. Much of the road on the Forest is still in use today for recreation activities. About 30 miles remain "intact," but not always in a form you would expect. The Barlow Road underwent an evolution of travel modes--from oxen-pulled wagon to Model A Fords.  Much of the original route is beneath U.S. Highway 26 in the Zig Zag valley.  The new motorized routes (including Mount Hood Loop Highway of 1924) left many isolated pieces of "pristine wagon ruts" which are still visible today.

The ruts are actually a swale- or five to six foot wide trench worn out by the wagon and the stock that pulled them. Near "Pioneer Woman's Grave," they get four to five feet deep.There are fine traces within 200 feet of paved parking at Pioneer Woman's Grave and Barlow Pass. There is a one mile hiking trail from Barlow Pass to Pioneer Woman's Grave which  has some of the best rut traces to be seen. The ruts are marked with rustic "Original Wagon Route" signs. There are also fine traces near Devil's Half Acre.  Wagons were lowered at Laurel Hill, this is located between mileposts 50 and 51 on Hwy 26. There is a short trail leading to Laurel Chute where emigrants used ropes to lower their wagons. Here is where a stump with rope burn was near the top of chute number two, but the marks have disintegrated over time.

Pioneer graves can still be seen. In addition to "Pioneer Woman's Grave," there are several others at Summit Meadow. These are located on private land across the street from where the Summit House stood.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. Many entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.  

Here's the breakdown for residential home sales through August 25, 2007 from the RMLS for Hood River County. 

Cascade Locks- 1 home sold                                    Sale pendings- 2

Hood River- City- $150-$199,000-   0 sales                  Sale pendings-1                            

                         $200-$250,000-    2 sales                 Sale pendings- 

                         $251-$350,000-   4 sales                   Sale pendings- 4             

                         $351-$450,000-   0 sales                   Sale pendings-2

                         $451-$550,000-   0 sales                   Sale pendings-1

                         $551-$$650,000-   0 sales                 Sale pendings- 2

                         $651-$1,000,000-   0 sales                Sale pendings-2

Hood River-Westside- $200-$1,000,000-  2 sales            Sale pendings- 2

Hood River-Eastside- 1 sale

Odell- $200-$300,000- 3 sales                                      Sale pendings- 2

Parkdale- $300-$400,000-  1 sales                               Sale pendings-1

Countywide - 14  total homes sold, 18 currently sale pending, this total is only residential homes. unimproved & commercial properties are not included in these statistics.

FOR COMPARISON-August 2006 Market trends are as follows:  TOTAL Residential home sales-38

Cascade Locks- 1 Sale

Hood River-City- 30 sales (13 condos and 17 Single family homes)

Hood River-Westside- 2 sales

Hood River-Eastside-  1 sale

Odell- 3 sales

Parkdale- 1 sale

For those who want to learn more about building "GREEN" this may be of interest.

Mt. Hood Community College is offering a nine-month (one weekend per month) specialized training program. This program is designed to enable graduates to advise employers or clients on strategies and tools for implementing sustainable building.

This program is co-sponsored by:   CASCADIA                EnergyTrust of Oregon           

Green Building Services                        earth advantage                   betterbricks  

This is a learning experience designed for working professionals with expert instructors, interactive format, demonstrated competencies, field trips, and become eligible for the National Sustainable Building Advisory Certification Examination.

The Following Unit Topics that will be covered are:

• UNIT 1: Fundamentals of Sustainable Building
• UNIT 2: Importance of Place
• UNIT 3: Energy Efficiency and Lighting
• UNIT 4: "Green" Materials Selection
• UNIT 5: Indoor Environmental Quality & Health
• UNIT 6: Water Conservation and Quality Protection
• UNIT 7: Sustainable Job Site Operations
• UNIT 8: Building Operations and Maintenance
• UNIT 9: Group Projects Presentation

The registration deadline for this program is September 14, 2007.  There will be an informational meeting Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 6pm in the Public Meeting Room at the Multnomah County Central Library located at 801 SW Tenth Portland, OR  Please RSVP to  503-491-7585 by August 27. For more info call 503-491-7235