Dedication of The Dalles Dam took place Oct. 10, 1959, a little more than six years after the start of construction on the major Columbia River Project on the main stem of the Great River of the West.
Division Point on the Union Pacific Railroad at The Dalles as it appeared during the days of steam power, on a below-zero day during the cold winter of early 1950. Picture was taken Feb. 5, 1950.
Final Steam Passenger Train on the SP&S Railroad carried rail fans from Portland to Wishram on May 20, 1956. On that day all regular passenger service on the line was moved by Diesel Units. This picture was taken from highway crossing over the tracks in downtown Lyle, Wash. with the train moving eastbound at an estimated 70 miles an hour.
Double-Headed Freight Train that left the main line of the Union Pacific near Celilo to move onto the Oregon Trunk Railroad up the Deschutes River is shown in this scene from the Old Columbia River Highway, No. 30, as it appeared on Sept. 17, 1950.
Arriving at The Dalles Airport with his wife Pat, and his official guest, Gov. Albert Rosselini of the State of Washington was Vice President (later President) Richard Nixon for Dedication of The Dalles Dam on Oct. 10, 1959. The official welcome was by The Dalles High School Booster Girls.
Start of Construction on The Dalles Dam was marked by this ceremony on the south bank of The Dalles-Celilo Canal on March 12, 1952. Barge and tug can be seen coming downstream in the canal.
This was the first train into Wasco in Sherman County. Hauled by a 4-4-0 type steam engine, it arrived on Oct. 4, 1897, according to Giles L. French, longtime publisher of weekly newspapers serving the county, and the author of several books including one entitled ""Rails to the Mid-Columbia Wheatlands"". This picture was provided by Gordon Hilderbrand of Wasco. Built in part by ranchers, line was taken over by UP.