Near Corbett in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Chanticleer Point
A View and a Vision
Demands for a good road paralleling the Columbia River began with emigration along the rugged Oregon Trail in 1843. But it took Samuel Hill and this view to help make the dream a reality.
Sam Hill, an eccentric and wealthy railroad attorney, was a passionate "good roads" enthusiast with a flair for publicity. On August 27, 1913, Hill and other advocates for a Columbia River Highway, met with Multnomah County Commissioners on this bluff at the Chanticleer Inn. With this dramatic vista in the background, Hill and engineer Samuel C. Lancaster outlined the vision of a scenic highway where "tired men and women… may enjoy the wild beauty of nature's art gallery and recreate themselves.” Construction surveys were under way within a month and by the 1920s the Historic Columbia River Highway was called the “king of roads.”
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 45° 32.021′ N, 122° 15.616′ W. Marker is near Corbett, Oregon, in Multnomah County. Marker can be reached from Historic Columbia River Highway west of East Knieriem Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the parking lot, at the Portland Women's Forum Scenic State Viewpoint, overlooking the Columbia River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39210 Historic Columbia River Highway, Corbett OR 97019, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Samuel Hill – “Road Builder” (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chanticleer Point (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vista House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Marshall N. Dana (approx. 0.9 miles away); Samuel C. Lancaster (approx. 0.9 miles away); Broughton’s Expedition (approx. one mile away); Camping Among the Giants (approx. 1˝ miles away); Rooster Rock State Park (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corbett.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Chanticleer Inn, Columbia River Highway. Pdx History website entry:
Built in 1912, about 25 miles east of Portland, on an elevation high above the bank of the Columbia River, the Chanticleer Inn hosted many a General, several Presidents and many foreign dignitaries. Before the Columbia River Highway was opened in 1915, the only way to reach Chanticleer was by taking a boat or the train to Rooster Rock and then riding or walking up the steep, unpaved road. After the highway opened, Chanticleer welcomed even more hungry motorists. (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Columbia River Scenic Highway (King of Roads). Scenic USA - Oregon website entry (Submitted on March 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Samuel C. Lancaster. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 21, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.