Lower Entrance to Celilo Locks - 1936

A lot of early photographers were interested in the interplay between nature and man-made construction projects, such as bridges, locks and railroads This view shows us the lower end of Celilo Locks.

The locks and canal were built between 1905 and 1915 to create a way for shipping to bypass eight miles of Celilo Falls and associated rapids, just east of The Dalles. Thus this image was captured about halfway through the forty years they existed. While the contrast between nature and built is jarring, Celilo Falls still existed and could be used for fishing until the whole area was flooded behind Bonneville Dam in 1957.

-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.