North Bonneville in Skamania County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The North Bank Railroad
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
1. The North Bank Railroad Marker
Before trains arrived, steamboats and small craft linked Washington's riverside residents to the outside world, Roads were few, primitive, and treacherous. In winter, bitter east winds sometimes froze the Columbia shore to shore, isolating whole communities.
A south shore railway was completed in 1882, but north shore folks waited for the train until 1908 when the North Bank Road finally tied Washington's rural communities to the well-established transcontinental rail system.
Erected by Washington State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 45° 39.182′ N, 121° 55.129′ W. Marker is in North Bonneville, Washington, in Skamania County. It is at the intersection of Evergreen Highway (at milepost 40.8) and Lake
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Columbia River Gorge and 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Forts Lugenbeel, Rains, and Cascade (here, next to this marker); The Bridge of the Gods (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named The Bridge of the Gods (approx. 1.2 miles away in Oregon); This Old Turbine (approx. 1.4 miles away in Oregon); Bradford Island Fishway (approx. 1.4 miles away in Oregon); Cascade Falls Portage (approx. 1½ miles away in Oregon); the Oregon Pony (approx. 1.6 miles away in Oregon); Sturgeon Habitat (approx. 2.2 miles away in
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
2. The North Bank Railroad Marker (detail)
Washington boasts the river's first railroad which was built in 1851. A wooden cart on wooden rails and pulled by mules; it assisted early settlers around the Columbia's rapids. Despite this early start, modern locomotives were a long time coming.
Also see . . . Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway -- Wikipedia. "Incorporated in 1905, it was a joint venture by the Great Northern Railway and the Northern Pacific Railway to build a railroad along the north bank of the Columbia River." -- Wikipedia (Submitted on September 4, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
3. The North Bank Railroad Marker (detail)
In a driving rain on March 11, 1908, delighted locals joined dignitaries here at Sheridan's Point to celebrate completion of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway between Pasco and Vancouver.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
4. The North Bank Railroad Marker (detail)
Train schedules demanded punctuality and quickened life's pace in the remote Northwest. The railroads established today's time zones across the continent and encouraged measuring time in minutes instead of days.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
5. The North Bank Railroad Marker
Marker on the right
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
