The Columbia River Highway, Washington / Old St. Augustine, Florida / California Missions / Portland, Oregon Part 3
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: a. “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.” Falls. “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.” Roads, automobile traffic, picnickers. [1917] c. “The cabin of Franciscan missions is an heirloom left us by Spain. Originally there were twenty-one missions, three pueblos, four presidios, linked by a roadway called El Camino Real. The first mission was established at Cosoy, now Old Town San Diego, July 16, 1769. This mission was seriously damaged by the earthquake of 1893.” “Ramona’s marriage place, Old Town. Over one hundred years old, this ancient house was chosen by Helen Hunt Jackson as the marriage place of her heroine ‘Ramona.’” “Mission San Luis Rey. 45 miles from San Diego. Founded in 1798. In its prime it grazed 25,000 cattle, owned 10,000 horses, and 3,000 Indian converts were engaged in its industrial activities.” “Mission San Juan Capistrano. Established in the year that America declared her independence. Considered the most beautiful of the missions.” Mission including its bells, buildings, and grounds. “Mission bell guidepost marking ‘El Camino Real’ -- the Spanish name for the road --that joined the 21 missions.” “‘Fair Sonoma city, south to San Diego Bay, As a ribbon of roadway, called The King’s Highway.’” Sign on bell post, ‘El Camino Real - Mission San Gabriel Archangel - Mission San Juan Capistrano 58 mi. - Los Angeles Plaza 9 mi.’ “Mission San Gabriel.” “The old stairway built in 1771 with its steps well-nigh worn through.” “Old fountain in the court of the mission, built by the fathers in 1797.” “An excellent highway lies through the route of the missions, while side journeys from the main road are resplendent with picturesque settings.” “Mission of Santa Barbara, founded December 4, 1786.” Mission’s graveyard, tombstone of Donal Quirique - 1869. “Note the old doorway marked by a triangle of genuine Indian skulls and crossbones.” “A weeping willow grown from a slip taken from Lafayette’s tomb in France.” “The tomb of the Franciscan father.” “Mission La Purisima Concepcion, founded December 8, 1787.” “Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded July 14, 1771.” Mission, monks. ‘Old Mission’ painted on building. ‘El Camino Real’ - road sign over bell, ‘Mission San Juan Bautista, Founded June 24, 1787 - Mission Santa Clara 46 miles - Mission San Carlos de Monterey 35 miles.’ [1917] d. “The first white man settled on what is now the site of Portland in 1843. A dispute as to what the settlement should be named was decided by the tossing of a coin, Portland winning the toss over Boston.” Panoramic view of city, bridge across river, residential areas, business district. [1917]
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