Toledo in Lewis County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Toledo Boat Launch Site

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

1. Toledo Boat Launch Site Marker

Inscription. In the early history of the area before trains and highways, the Cowlitz River was the gateway to the Northwest. The Cowlitz River was instrumental in the founding and flourishing of what is now known as Toledo. The Cowlitz River was used as a freeway for trade and travel. First the Indians transported skins and furs and later the Hudson's Bay Company and Joseph Kellogg and Company carrying people and supplies.

Captain Orrin Kellogg purchased an acre of ground from the Rochon's in 1881, with the purpose of building a warehouse. This warehouse housed products that were transported by steamboats along the Cowlitz River to the Columbia and into Portland. The steamboats last trips were in 1916 with the building of the Pacific Highway. The Olson brothers purchased the site in the 1920s. The new bridge was built south of the current bridge in 1994, and the old warehouse buildings were torn down. In 1890 Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Badger operated the first grist mill (three stories in height). In 1925 Stan and Anna (Boone) Olson built a home where the grist mill stood. The City of Toledo was granted money from The Recreation

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and Conservation Office in 2005 to purchase the entire site for a boat launch. This home was sold for $1 to Tom Layton and moved to Augustus Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 46° 26.308′ N, 122° 50.729′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Washington, in Lewis County. It is on Front Street south of Cowlitz Street (Washington Road 505), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 Front St, Toledo WA 98591, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Washington State.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Washington Territory Was Created August 29, 1851 (within shouting distance of this

Marker at the boat launch site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

2. Marker at the boat launch site Marker

marker); Toledo (within shouting distance of this marker); Oregon Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackson Courthouse (approx. 7.2 miles away); a different marker also named Oregon Trail (approx. 7.7 miles away); In Memoriam (approx. 11.8 miles away); The Old Oregon Trail (approx. 16.4 miles away); Claquato Church (approx. 16.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toledo.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 56 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.