Land Program Recreational Project, Columbia Gorge

Collection

Identifier: Coll 927

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a report with appendices authored by John Yeon, chair of the Pacific Northwest Regional Planning Commission's Columbia Gorge Committee. In the report, Yeon argues in favor of establishing an interstate park in the Columbia River Gorge on both sides of the river; describes specific areas of the Gorge, such as the Cape Horn area and the Beacon Rock area; and discusses lands that would need to be purchased to establish the park. The appendices, which make up the bulk of the collection, include fold-out maps showing areas of the Gorge, population density in Pacific Northwest, railroad facilities in the region, land ownership in the Gorge, and soil types in the Gorge; a list of currently owned properties in the Gorge; lists of delinquent taxes for properties to be purchased; photographs; and copies of statements and correspondence of officials regarding the proposed purchase of lands for a park.

Dates

1935 June

Creator

Pacific Northwest Regional Planning Commission. Columbia Gorge Committee (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Historical Note

In 1934, Oregon Governor Julius Meier appointed John Yeon (1910-1994) to chair the Columbia Gorge Committee of the Pacific Northwest Regional Planning Commission. Construction of the Bonneville Dam sparked debate about whether the dam should support manufacturing located in the Gorge near the dam itself, or if instead the Gorge should be conserved, and the dam's power sent to Portland, Oregon, and other established urban and industrial areas. In 1935, the committee produced a report, "Land Program Recreational Project, Columbia Gorge," recommending that an interstate park be established in the Gorge. In 1937, the committee released another report, "Columbia River Gorge Conservation and Development," which argued that the Gorge should be protected from use by heavy industry. Concerns about conservation of the Gorge spurred further activism from the 1950s through the 1980s, and culminated in the creation of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in 1986.

Sources: "Columbia River Gorge," by Carl Abbott, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/columbia-river-gorge/#.Y1wefXbMIuV; "John Yeon (1910-1994)," by Randy Gregg, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/john_yeon/#.Y1wXuHbMIuU

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Report with appendices, discussing the feasibility and desirability of preserving areas of the Columbia River Gorge for recreational purposes. The report was produced by the Pacific Northwest Regional Planning Commission's Columbia Gorge Committee, chaired by John Yeon (1910-1994). The committee would release another report about conservation of the Gorge, "Columbia River Gorge Conservation and Development," in 1937.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, care of Jeffrey B. Litwak, July 2001 (Lib. Acc. 24635).

Existence and Location of Copies

The report is viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.

Related Materials

A copy of the commission's later report, "Columbia River Gorge Conservation and Development," is located in the Bob Peirce papers, Coll 675, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.