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About :: City InformationStevenson, WashingtonAbout the CityStevenson, Washington is located along State Hwy 14, approximately 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon and 40 miles east of Vancouver, Washington. The town itself is nestled between the mountains and rugged basalt cliffs of the Gorge to the North and the Columbia River to the south. Views of the Gorge in and around Stevenson are breathtaking and not to be missed. The town of Stevenson, Washington was settled in 1880 by the Stevenson family of Missouri. Under the name of Stevenson Land Company, George Stevenson bought the original town site for $24,000 in 1893, and began building the town along the lower flat near the river. The town began to prosper and settlers expanded the original dock facility to accommodate the daily arrivals of sternwheelers, unloading passengers and cargo and loading logs. By the early 1900's many businesses had been established in town serving locals and travelers. The year 1908 was an important year for Stevenson, the town was incorporated and the SP & S Railroad arrived, lending the town additional legitimacy and encouraging townspeople to take advantage of their situation. Eventually the streets were graded, wooden sidewalks constructed and the residents were asked to keep their livestock from roaming the streets. Today's residents of Stevenson continue to preserve the historic feel of their town and still take pleasure in catering to its visitors. The 1993 completion of Skamania Lodge near Stevenson - partly funded by National Scenic Act economic development monies - has helped drive expansion of the city's tourism-oriented retail and service sectors. Occupancy rates at the destination resort have exceeded expectations, with the facility drawing considerable conference and meeting business. Retail and service sector employment increased from 270 in 1986 to 640 in 1994. The recent opening of the $10 .5 million Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center has provided another boost to the city's tourism economy. Located just west of Stevenson near Skamania Lodge, the 23,000 square-foot center depicts the historical, cultural and geologic development of the Columbia Gorge. Stevenson enjoys a mild temperate climate. Temperatures in the summer months are extremely comfortable, ranging from 70-100 degrees. The fall and winter bring a great deal of rain to the area, which in turn leads to a spectacularly green and colorful spring. Visitors to Stevenson can walk along the riverfront park and envision where fishwheels once churned through the water for Salmon. Today one will see the colorful sails of windsurfers speeding, jumping and looping along the swells of the Columbia River. It is hard to imagine that one tiring of the sites along the river, however in such a case one can return to town and browse through the many gift shops, art galleries and antique stores or grab a coffee at the local shop and enjoy the warm personalities of the locals. To find out more about Stevenson contact: Columbia Gorge Economic Development Association
Just the Facts
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515 East 2nd Street | The Dalles, OR 97058 |
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