Evergreen Highway, Looking West at Rock Shed Around Cape Horn - c. 1930
In 1927, thirty-seven tons of dynamite were used to clear the way for the Evergreen Highway to extend around the river side of Cape Horn in Washington. Unfortunately, the blast loosened much more rock than anticipated, and hundreds of feet of railroad as well as buildings and a farm were covered in the ensuing landslide.
While cleanup was possible, and no lives were lost, the blast had destabilized the cliffs so much that nearly 500 feet of covered bridge had to be built to keep loose rocks from falling on the new highway. We are looking at the east end of the "shed" that was completed in 1930. The shed continued to be maintained until the 1960s, when it was replaced by heavy-duty metal screening.
Note in detail view 2 the mills on the other side of the Columbia River.
-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon from the original negative, courtesy of the Clackamas County Historical Society.
Photographer | Ralph Eddy |
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Location | Columbia Gorge, Washington State |
Subject | Rivers and Streams, Roads and Highways, Trains, Railroads, Streetcars |
Decade | 1930s |
Print Maker | Old Oregon |
Original Type | Original Negative |
Size of Original | 4.5 x 6.5 inches |
Photographer's Number | Number 41 |