History of Arlington
By Curt Cunningham

The town of Arlington, Oregon is located at the mouth of Alkali canyon about 46 miles upriver from The Dalles and 45 miles downstream from Umatilla. In the late 1870's before the town was founded, Arlington was known as the "Big Bend Landing." This was because before the John Day Dam was constructed, there was a bend in the Columbia river at the mouth of Alkali canyon. Lang's Landing which shows up on an 1876 Oregon map was at the mouth of Lang Canyon which is about 5 miles downstream from Arlington. These landings were used by the ranchers of the area who brought in their cattle which were then loaded onto steamers and taken downriver to market. At the landings, ranchers had large corrals which were used to hold the cattle until the steamers arrived. These landings were used until 1881 when the railroad was completed to Portland.

In 1880 Elijah Rhea built the first cabin at the Big Bend Landing and a year later the Oregon Railroad & Navigation co. (O. R. & N.) had completed its line into Portland from Wallula and established a station there. Shortly after a town began to form. Before the railroad built its branch line south to Condon in 1905, Arlington was the main distributing point for that town as well as the rest of the interior country to its south. Wheat, wool and cattle were shipped out, and consumer products, farming equipment, foodstuffs and other supplies would be brought in.

In the Willamette Farmer dated October 21, 1881 is a reprinted article from The Dalles Mountaineer about the town of Arlington. It reads in part; "The railway station on the east side of John Day river is called by the caustic name of Alkali. Just 3 months ago the only buildings were the station house of the O. R. & N. and a small storeroom. Now, we are informed, there are 2 large hotels, 5 stores and saloons, about 30 dwellings and more settlers constantly coming in. This point is destined to become quite a business place, being situated at the first accessible point on the line of the railroad, beyond John Day, and the natural base of supplies for a large agricultural section of country along that river and on Rock Creek."

The November 25, 1881 issue of the Pendleton East Oregonian has a story about the town which is a little bit different than what the Willamette Farmer had said; "the town of Alkali was rapidly raising its head up in the world, and consisted of about 30 houses, a hotel, a restaurant, a blacksmith shop, a butcher shop, 2 livery stables, and 3 stores. Henry Heppner and his partner Blackman from Heppner had a flourishing mercantile establishment there conducted by "Ol' Hep."

In 1882 a town was platted by James W. Smith and was named Alkali. On November 20, 1883 the the town was incorporated and the toxic name of Alkali was replaced with the new name of Arlington. The origin of the name is not clear as some have said it was named after Alkali lawyer Nathan Arlington Cornish who had suggested the name. Others have said it was named after Arlington, Virginia. Cornish is said to have suggested the name because there were many residents from the southern states at the time, and Arlington, VA was the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. But Cornish may have had an ulterior motive and many years later his daughter, Nellie C. Cornish, said in her autobiography Miss Aunt Nellie, that the name was selected to honor her father. Mr. Cornish apparently neglected to mention this connection when he suggested the name although anyone who knew him could have figured it out. If this is true it went unknown by most until Nellie's book was written in 1964.

On February 25, 1885 Gilliam county was created out of Wasco county and Arlington became the temporary county seat. In 1886 and again in 1888 the town of Condon tried unsuccessfully to take the county seat away from Arlington. Condon which was originally called Summit Springs is 40 miles south of Arlington, and in 1884 the name was changed to Condon after Arlington lawyer Harvey C. Condon. 

Harvey Condon was Nathan Cornish's partner in the Arlington law firm Condon & Cornish, and by 1887 in addition to their law firm Condon and Cornish were operating the Condon & Cornish bank at Arlington. In the spring of 1887 Gilliam county sued Wasco county for the recovery of taxes which they said were owed to them at the time the counties divided. The Pendleton East Oregonian bought forward the case and Condon & Cornish represented Gilliam county. After a hard fought battle Gilliam county won the case and $3,000 in taxes were transferred into Gilliam county's treasury.

In the Fossil Journal on July 5, 1890 W. Kennedy said that a new Condon townsite had been platted by Brown Bros, and D. B. Trimble, adjoining the original townsite on the south. The new company and Judge Condon (of the firm of Condon & Cornish, who owned the original townsite of Condon) wanted to make that town the county seat and both offered a building site free to the county on which to erect county buildings, and that both townsite companies had also offered the school district embracing Condon a site on which to erect a new school house. The district agreed to build a new $1,000 school house before 1892. Neither the county court nor the school district had yet agreed upon the location. In June of 1890 another vote was held to make Condon the permanent county seat. The this time Condon won the issue by 106 votes, and the county seat was moved to Condon, which today continues to be Gilliam's county seat.

Arlington Catches Fire

On Monday August 10, 1885 in the Oregonian on page 2 is a story told by a gentleman who came down to Portland from Arlington the previous day. He said that the town had caught fire on Friday the 7th and that Young & Rodkey who were one of the victims of the blaze, lost everything, but luckily they were fully insured. They had insured their building for $1,500 and $7,500 on their stock. They held policies in 7 eastern companies and the Western of California. Others acted quickly and all the goods from Heppner & Blackman's store were moved out to a place of safety, as well as the furniture of the Gilmore house.

At 10pm Saturday night August 8th, 3 suspicious characters were arrested and charged with arson. Their examination was set for noon on Monday the 10th and the citizens hired attorneys Condon and Cornish to conduct the prosecution. The only injury was an employee of Robinson's circus, who had his skull fractured. He was doing as well as could be expected, but his recovery was uncertain although he was well cared for. The newspaper said that the town of Arlington had been for some time infested with a number of worthless fellows, and the citizens were determined to be rid of them. At a meeting behind closed doors on Saturday evening the 8th before the blaze, it was resolved to inform the obnoxious persons to depart town or take the consequences.

In the August 10, 1885 Oregonian on page 3. It says that the fire broke out in a building occupied by a lottery racket and the loss was about $10,000. Linder's saloon, Hendricks' butcher shop, a building owned by J. Service, and Mr. Young, and W. A. Rodkey's general merchandise store were totally destroyed. The greater part of their merchandise was saved. Much credit was due the heroic employees of Robinson's circus. Without their help it was probable that Keeney's saloon, Graham's saloon, Heppner & Blackman's general merchandise store, and the Gilmore hotel would have been destroyed. This was the first fire in the town of Arlington. One of the heroic circus employees was nearly killed while working to put out the fire. He was hit by an axe head flying off the handle which crushed his skull.

The Arlington Wedding

In the Albany Democrat issued on Friday February 12, 1886 is an article about a wedding in Arlington; On Monday evening February 8th, Dr. C. T. Bacon and his bride Annie Bentley were united in marriage, the occasion being one of the greatest and most enjoyable in the history of Arlington. The wedding was followed by a grand reception which took place at Ralston's Hall and 300 or 400 people attended the ceremony, including the Arlington band. After Mayor Thomas and W. G. Brown spoke the festivities closed with a dance. 

The number of presents given to the happy couple were very large, over a 100 gifts, including a parlor stove, parlor lamp, china tea set, silver knives and forks, a table and stand covers, a silver sugar bowl, silver butter dish, an ornamental clock, silver cake dish, linen napkins, in fact every thing from a broom to a saw buck and axe. This was the first wedding ever held in Arlington where the parties both resided there. The local paper in an article on the event made the remark; 'We do not think there is a more popular couple in the city, and we doubt if another such wedding will take place here for many a long day." The bride was a former resident of Albany, Oregon where she had many friends, who extended hearty congratulations.

Arlington in 1887

In the West Shore issue of November 1, 1887 is an article about Arlington. It says that; "Arlington lies at the mouth of the Alkali canyon. Topography has much to do with the growth of towns, and it is the advantageous location of this one which has caused it to grow and flourish while others have not yet passed the age of infancy. Many square miles of rapidly developing agricultural land, and the grazing ranges for thousands of sheep, horses and cattle, find here the most advantageous point of shipment of products and supplies. Not only is this true of a large area in Oregon, but of the opposite aide of the river, with which it communicates by means of a ferry. It lays claim to the trade of Gilliam county, and much of Crook, Morrow and Grant, as well as Klickitat county across the river."

"In the fall of 1881, J. W. Smith, who had been doing a general merchandise business at the Willows, about 7 miles east of this place, removed to Alkali canyon and began building a store. He found one little house kept as a stopping place for the few people who came here, built upon railroad land near the river, and beyond him the vast uncultivated hills of Gilliam county. Henry Heppner, M. V. Harrison, Mr. Hall and Mr. Comfort followed immediately, the first building being finished by Mr. Harrison. These gentlemen, with the exception of Mr. Hall, are still residents."

"The little nucleus thus started gathered around itself other business houses. Coffin, McFarland & Co. came in the spring of 1883, E. N. Thomas & Son in the spring of 1884. These firms, together with J. W. Smith, comprise the leading mercantile houses, although there are 3 others, a dry goods, grocery, and millinery store, all doing a good business. In 1887 the town had between 600 and 700 inhabitants. There is nothing lacking of the elements of a city. Building is being rapidly pushed forward. The one newspaper, the Arlington Times, is doing well. A new schoolhouse is nearly completed. There are also 2 churches, Congregational and Methodist."

"The town was founded in 1881 and incorporated by the legislature at its extra session in the fall of 1883. At the same time the people voted to change the name of Alkali for the more euphonious, and less suggestive, one of Arlington. After 6 years since the first business buildings were erected, and the site has been transformed from a dreary waste of sand, sagebrush and alkali, to a bustling, prosperous, expanding town of 700 inhabitants, with sidewalks and shade trees, 2 banks, a schoolhouse, 2 churches, neat residences and substantial business blocks.

"When the town was founded, the vast stretch of rolling hills to the south and southeast were considered valueless, except for grazing purposes. It was not long before it was discovered that a great portion was arable land of the finest quality, that its dryness was more apparent than real, and that it was capable of producing excellent crops of wheat, corn and other cereals, as well as vegetables, melons and fruits. It began to settle up rapidly, and in the past 4 years the gray vista of sagebrush which stretched away from Arlington has been changed to one of golden grain. Thousands of acres of grazing land have been fenced in and brought under the plow." 

"Where, a few years ago, the jack rabbit sported among the tufts of sagebrush, are now happy homes and fields of grain while the same breezes which then bore only the mournful howl of the coyote, now carry on their bosom the song of the reaper. The settlements have, in a measure, interfered with the stock interests, by cutting up the range, yet these are still quite large. Especially is sheep raising which is an important industry. There are more sheep grazed in the region tributary to Arlington than in any other in Oregon, and more wool is shipped from this point than from any other railroad station in the state."

"Gilliam county, of which Arlington is the county seat by designation of the legislature, until definitely located by a vote of the people, lies between Wasco and Morrow counties, and stretches south from the Columbia to Crook and Grant counties. From all this vast territory, wagons loaded with wool and grain converge upon Arlington, in whose streets they form an almost continuous procession. After leaving their burden at the large warehouses, they receive from the various stores or freight depot, loads of goods and supplies, which they convey into the interior."

"There is no better opportunity to secure good prairie land, ready for the plow, than is to be found in Gilliam county. The flats along the creeks are all taken, but vast areas of uplands, which have been demonstrated to be the best wheat lands, and which receive the most moisture from the clouds, are yet open to settlement. Ascending the hill south of Arlington, a table land region opens out to view, and as tar as the eye can reach, in every direction, are to be seen fields of grain and comfortable farm houses and buildings, all contributing to the wealth of the county, and especially to the prosperity of Arlington."

"Vast as this area of farms are, there is a still greater area of unclaimed land lying beyond, inviting the settler to make his home upon it. Mile after mile of this land, as good as any now occupied, is used only as a range for stock. This land, rising gradually from the river, and improving in quality as it approaches the mountains, has not been taken because other lands were more accessible to the railroad, but settlers are now rapidly coming in, and before many months it will all be occupied."

"Settlers need have no fear of permanent isolation from railroads, as the O. R. & N. has already projected 2 branch lines across Gilliam county, one of which, from Arlington to Heppner and Pendleton, will no doubt soon be built. The company has just negotiated a large sale of bonds. The money derived from these is to be devoted to the construction of branch lines, among which the one mentioned is one of the most important. Within a few years, Gilliam county will have as good railroad facilities as any in the state, and better than many which are much older and more thickly settled. The construction of the line mentioned will much enhance the importance of Arlington in the transportation system of the state, and will give new impetus to a town which is already recognized as one of the most thriving and enterprising in the state of Oregon."

Arlington Catches Fire Again

At the end of March in 1888 another fire broke out at Arlington. This time it began in Ralston's building, and before anything could be done, the flames had risen beyond control. The D. S Sprinkles & Co. store building caught fire and the entire block, including the Arlington Times building, a restaurant, J. L. Adams' vacant building, the building of M. C. Harris, J. E. Haskins’ old blacksmith shop, and the county jail were all destroyed. In the meantime the blaze had spread to the opposite side of the street and had burned Kirby’s hall, J. H. Wood's furniture and provision store, a building owned by M. V. Harrison, and Condon & Cornish’s bank. The bank building was made of brick and was not totally destroyed. The fire was stopped by Mr. Harrison’s brick building. The loss was estimated at $50,000, and was a severe blow to that prosperous village.

Arlington Annotations

The 1890 New Year's dance, which was given by the young men of Heppner at the new brick in that town on New Year's eve Tuesday December 31st was a grand success in every particular. Many Heppner people attended and there was quite a sprinkling of Arlington's elite society. Among those from the Arlington were; John Morman and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Delk, ladies Young and Blakely, Dr. Bacon and Dr. Molitor, H. Putnam and Cal Ardrey. The music was furnished by the Arlington orchestra was excellent and greatly appreciated by all.

On January 9, 1890 the Arlington Times said that; "Louis LaPointe was in town a few days last week. He swears he was not married, although a report to the contrary, and said he was still open for engagements." From the following the Heppner Gazette considered the engagement closed. The Fossil Journal said; "A special dispatch to the Oregonian had this to say concerning Louie La Pointe, who was a former cattle buyer in Arlington. Minnie Foss, who was an erring girl from Ellensburg, was found in Arlington January 9th by Sheriff Brown of Kittitas county. She was led astray by LaPonte, who said he was forced to marry her, but afterwards compelled her to submit to a divorce." LaPointe was then taken into custody for his wickedness. He was said to be a man of means.

On January 30, 1890 Fred Wilmarth who was formerly a Heppner Gazette reporter was hired by Arlington Times editor Mr. Burnham to report for that newspaper. On May 1, 1890 Arlington's long time butcher Fred Varney left for Puget Sound and board a ship to the Klondike in search of his fortune. Also that day rumor had it that Joe Morris the well known Arlington blacksmith was going to move his shop to Fossil, and the rising of the Columbia river compelled Harvey Wilson to move his engine house to higher ground.

Arlington dentist Dr. Griffin had moved to Ellensburg sometime in 1889 or 1890 and found it wasn't as prosperous as he thought it would be, so in the spring of 1890 he moved back to Arlington to reopen his dental office. In 1890 the Arlington physicians were Dr. Bacon, and Dr. Molitor, and the pharmacist was Charles Graham who owned the drug store in town. On May 8, 1890 the Heppner Gazette said that the Arlington law firm of Cornish & Jayne had dissolved their partnership. Attorney Jayne continued to practice law in town and Nathan Cornish moved to Blaine, WA. On February 20, 1890 Attorney A. A. Jayne married Minnie Sperry of Portland. They took up residence in Arlington where Jayne had his large law practice.

In the spring of 1890 it was reported that Arlington had an excellent waterworks system and the citizens appreciated it. Also Sylvester Carlisle was running a saloon.

On March 6, 1890 the Heppner Gazette reprinted the Arlington Times obituary from March 1st titled, A Thing of the Past. It reads; "With this issue the Arlington Times expires. A paper in order to exist must receive the hearty support and liberal patronage of the town in which it is published. Failing in this, it must sooner or later suspend publication, or become hopelessly involved in debt. As the Times does not receive enough patronage from the people of Arlington to pay running expenses, it has concluded to suspend publication. The Times has no kick coming; it does not complain; but takes its medicine, folds its last sheet, and takes its place among the things that were. To those who have given it their support, it extends its thanks. To all it bids farewell."

On July 4, 1891 Arlington resident Sydney G. Hawson and his future wife Maggie Welsh were issued a marriage license. On May 6, 1892 Syd was the proud and happy dad after his wife Maggie gave birth to a bouncing baby boy who made his debut on Sunday May 1st. The last bulletin said that Syd was slowly recovering; mother and baby doing well. On June 18, 1897 Syd's wife returned from a 2 week trip to visit friends and relatives in Fossil, which accounted for "S. G." looking so charming. In 1898 Sydney G. Hawson became a state representative in a special session of the 19th Oregon Legislature where he served until March 4, 1901.

On June 11, 1892 The Dalles Times-Mountaineer said that Editor Brown of the Arlington Record had Editor Shutt of the Condon Globe arrested on a charge of criminal libel, and had Shutt brought to Arlington, where be appeared before Justice Ebi. Shutt waived examination, and posted bail for the sum of $300 to appear before the grand jury. Before leaving Condon in charge of Deputy Sheriff Johnson, Shutt swore out a warrant for Brown's arrest, also charging him with libel, and the following day Sheriff Wilcox made a trip to Arlington and brought Editor Brown back with him to Condon. Brown had a preliminary examination before Justice Tatum, and posted bail to the tune of $200, to await the action of the grand jury. The Dalles newspaper said; "to all appearances it was a case where the boys have their fun, and the county foots the bill."

On July 8, 1892 Jessie Sweetin got back into the butcher business in Arlington.

On August 12, 1892 it was reported that ice had arrived for Judge Ebi, much to his and his wife's delight, as he had been compelled to drink his beer in a torpid condition. It was also reported that day; Some of our girls just now do not follow the injunction of the doggerel about "hang your clothes on a hick'ry limb, but don't go near the water." They are just as fond of a dip in the Columbia as the members of the whiskered sex.

In December of 1892 the Zenas Moody's warehouse in Arlington was now managed by Syd G. Hawson. The L. C. Edwards' City Drug store had a large display of holiday goods. F. D. Nelson brought up river from Columbus his steamer to be used by the ferry company. It was rumored that a little country store had opened not too far from Arlington where to some extent, beverages that were not altogether of a temperance nature were dispensed, while the proprietor himself occasionally "tagged" himself with a little. That December the good wife made a general charge at the place with an axe and demolished the whole affair. The good people of Arlington said; "You go girl, we glory in your spunk."

On December 9, 1892 it is said that 2 small boys were playing around the Arlington depot the other day, when the following conversation was overheard between them; "Ben, I should think the railroad company would drape the depot on account of the death of Jay Gould." '"Oh, you see, Ben, that is not necessary. The agent here shows that in his face."

On September 28. 1894 a reporter for the Condon Globe said that; Arlington now had a life insurance office, and although Arlington was not a dangerous place to live as people seldom die there. The Arlington city dads had sent the boiler to Portland for repairs so they expected to be well supplied with "Adam's ale" in the near future. In fact they said; "we have plenty now for ordinary purposes." Arlington's boot and shoe dealer, John "Jack" P. Rodgers, had received a large stock of goods for the fall and winter trade. On October 19, 1894 the boiler arrived back from Portland and the Globe said it had grown some since it left Arlington and that; "it looked as though it would be able to quench the thirst of all."

On October 19, 1894 Arlington dentist Dr. Studevant established his office with the town physician Dr. J. A. Geisendorfer. On October 23, 1894 merchant James W. Smith who had a store in Arlington was compelled to make a radical change in his business policy by no longer extending credit and began selling his goods for cash only. In the spring of 1896 Smith's mercantile store advertised that their new spring stock had arrived and would be sold at "Hard Times" prices. On Tuesday March 17, 1896 Smith had a building above the Cunningham barn moved to his business block to be used as a warehouse for lumber, and Frank Farrier brought the building down the hill to Main Street with 2 spans of horses.

The Arlington National Bank transacted a general banking business and D. M. French was President, W. W. Steiwer, Vice President, Frank T. Hurlburt was the cashier. "Little Phil" the "Old reliable" warehouseman at Arlington bid clad tidings to the farmer and said he paid the highest prices for wheat, and to see him before you disposed of your grain. In the summer of 1895 "Little Phil," went out to Rock Creek and it was said he was rather popular with the fair sex and it was presumed he was basking in the smiles of some fair lady of that locality.

On November 9, 1894 the Condon Globe said that; "Arlington's boot and shoe dealer, Jack Rodgers, broke the shackles that bound him to the state of celibacy and had ventured out on the great and boundless sea of matrimony to dream of sweet Elysium isles, with their beautiful flowers bordering on every walk, and their innumerable birds whose sweet songs of love seem to breathe into his ears a sense of peace and rest as down the stream of life he and the lady of his choice glide, or words to that effect." The bride was Susie Johns, of The Dalles, a former resident of Arlington. The newspaper continued by saying that; "may their shadows never grow less, but on the other hand may they increase." The following year Rodgers moved his shoe store to the upper end of Main Street.

On Tuesday November 13, 1894 Arlington Constable John Cunningham made a trip to the country on official business. On Friday November 16, 1894 a second blacksmith shop was established in Arlington and the popular postmaster and merchant of Arlington Clarence W. Shurte made a business trip to Portland. On November 23, 1894, the 2 blacksmith shops in Arlington were doing good business and were working at greatly reduced rates. It cost a dollar to shoe a horse and 15 cents to sharpen a plow.

Arlington news for February 15, 1895; Mrs. Miller was running a restaurant in Arlington. Attorney S. A. D. Gurley had established his law office in the building recently vacated by attorney A. A. Jayne. Mr. Gurley now had a commodious and well arraigned office. The members of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Arlington were making preparations to have a grand ball. The large and commodious store building, formerly occupied by Coffin Bros., was being fitted up for the occasion. Musicians from the town of La Grande furnished the music, and J. W. Redford of the Hotel Grande spread the feast. There were 20 people from The Dalles who had planned to attend and large delegations from other towns were expected. An immense crowd was sure to be in attendance.

On April 12, 1895 it was reported that D. B. Thomas the proprietor of the new warehouse was getting his full share of the business, and C. H. Morrison and James Chamberlain opened up a new saloon in the old butcher shop. Morrison then moved his family into a new home across the street from the Arlington bank, and the Arlington undertaker was J. H. Wood.

In the 1890's Robert "Bob" C. Robinson of Robinson & Sons operated a cash store in Arlington. They carried a complete line of choice merchandise and fancy groceries, and had a complete line of choice merchandise. They sold for cash only and to encourage cash trades they were selling first class goods lower than ever before sold in the region. On Saturday May 24, 1895 Bob Robinson married Sadie Dyer at her parents home at Mayville with Justice Cary officiating. After the ceremony the couple headed back to Arlington to enjoy life together. The popular young newlyweds lived very comfortably in the rooms over his store. The Condon Globe said that; "May their troubles may be few and their joy many."

The Arlington school board held a meeting On June 30, 1895 and elected the following teachers; E. W. Daggett, principal; intermediate grade. Grace Cook; primary, Daisy Geisendorfer. School opened on September 23, 1895. In July of 1895 bids were opened to fix up the Arlington school house and Arlington carpenter Elijah B. Frum was the lowest bidder.

There was a wedding in the Arlington M. E. church on Sunday evening September 8, 1895. Mr. W. Luelling and Vina Tullis were the contracting parties and Rev. J. C. Moter officiated.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon March 15, 1896 the Arlington Cornet Band took a position on the hill to the west and tried to run everybody out of town, but they failed. It was said they are able to make some fine music now. Officers of the band on October 30, 1896 elected the following new officials; President, S. A. D. Hurley; Vice-president, L. C. Edwards; Secretary, E. W. Daggett; Treasurer, F. T. Shurte; Board of Control, R. H. Robinson, F. C. Hindle, and J. Pound.

On June 18, 1897 Coe's saloon was repapered and painted, and the Condon Globe ventured to say it would be the neatest place in Arlington to get real nice "lemonade" on a hot day. The saloon, which was owned by A. J. Coe was located on the southwest corner of Main Street and 2nd Street. Coe said to "drop in" when you felt like enjoying a first class cigar or Milwaukee beer on draught. They had all kinds of first class liquor on hand and in 1898 up through 1900 they were advertising that they were located next door to the bowling alley.

Also on June 18, 1897 the Shurte Bros. of Arlington were advertising to the farmers they they were strictly "in it" to sell plows and harrows of any kind along with; garden tools, wind mills and pumps, the best in the world. They also sold; wagons, carts, buggies and hacks plus the well known and reliable Mitchell wagon. Lord & Co. opened a new store in Arlington where they offered a complete line of general merchandise and specialized in rancher and farmer's supplies. C. W. Lord was from The Dalles and had moved his store to Arlington.

On June 25, 1897 L. C. Edwards who owned the Edwards drug store in Arlington said he would pay stage charges on all orders from his drug store except for patent medicines. He charged only the price which was printed on the wrappers. Customers also saved money by sending him for patent medicines. Only the best and purest drugs were kept in stock, and were handled by a competent pharmacist.

In the summer of 1897 some people in Arlington had asked what had become of the former residents of the place. It was found that attorney Harvey C. Condon was a book-keeper for Coffin Bros in North Yakima; his former partner, Nathan A. Cornish, was at Spokane; Stagecoach operator Joe Keeney was managing a stage line in Wallowa county; and Billy Theodore who once was proprietor of the Hotel Grande was eking out an existence at Tacoma, as an agent for the San Francisco Examiner.

On Wednesday evening August 4, 1897 at the home of the brides parents in Arlington Frank Robinson and Pearl Wood were married by Rev Henry Barnhart. Only the relatives and a few invited guests witnessed the ceremony, which was very beautiful. The bride and groom were held in the highest esteem by all who knew them, and a host of friends gave tender congratulations. The happy young couple left the next morning to spend their honeymoon at the coast for several weeks, after which they returned to Arlington where they made a permanent home.

During October of 1897 the pot-holes in the road leading out of town to Condon were filled with sagebrush. One of Reverend Barnhart's children became sick from their trip to the east coast. Arlington physician Dr. Geisendorfer was busy treating the town's injured and sick. The first electric lights in Arlington came from R. H. Robinson, who that October had strung all the wires and had his motor in place, and when the dynamo arrived on the train from the east he would turn on the electricity and light up Arlington to the great satisfaction of the residents. On November 19, 1897 Robinson had received his dynamo and turned on the first ray of electric light to the delight of all the citizens who were interested in the welfare of the town.

Telephone service between Arlington and Portland had been established around 1894. In the fall of 1897 the manager of the Arlington-Heppner Telephone co. was in Arlington looking for the most practical route for a telephone line to be strung to Heppner. The poles were to be set by the end of October. The Condon Globe said; "Fossil and Condon will have to fall in line soon or they will be a back number and have to take their place among the mossbacks."

In the fall of 1897 George W. Miller was advertising his store in Arlington. He sold groceries and said he was a leading grocer in Eastern Oregon. If your clock, watch or jewelry needed cleaning or repairing, the best and cheapest place in Eastern Oregon to have the work done was at Bob Watkins' shop in Arlington. His place was located one door above the post office. He was a thorough, competent jeweler and guaranteed all his work. By the Fall of 1896 Watkins had retired from the business. That fall C. W. Lord was still doing a good business in town. The Wasco Warehouse co. had wool sacks, fleece, twine and sack twine for sale in Arlington. Grain sacks could be purchased from Moody's warehouse in Arlington. Dr. E. H. Griffin was the dentist in town and in the fall of 1897 he was over 78 years old, and it was said he had more vitality than most men 50 years old. Griffin had planned to head for the Klondike in the spring as he was catching gold fever.

On November 5, 1897 a crew of workers were setting the poles and stringing the telephone wire between Arlington and Heppner. they built about 4 miles of line a day, The poles were 25 feet long and came from Idaho. They were very large and would last for many years. The Condon Globe said; "The line should have gone to Condon and Fossil, instead of Heppner, as it would have tapped a country that was badly in need of either telegraph or telephone service." They believed the company could be induced to build a line out south if the right people took the matter in hand promptly.

On Monday evening November 8, 1897 the first fire alarm for quite some time was sounded in Arlington. Fire had broken out in the old Gilmore Hotel building, but was extinguished before the hose cart arrived at the scene. On November 12, 1897 Dr. J. A. Geisendorfer opened up a joint office in Arlington with Dr. Rudy who was from The Dalles where they also opened another joint office. On November 19, 1897 it was reported that Jay P. Lucas the bookkeeper for the Lord & Company store in Arlington had returned from a trip to Portland and the residents could actually see him now that he was not hidden behind the counter of the store. Lucas was hired as bookkeeper on November 12th.

Also on November 19, 1897 it was reported that some of the residents of Arlington were upset that transients were stealing their small boats and taking them downriver and leaving them to be brought back by their owners providing they could find them. The Arlington Drama Club was getting ready for their next show "Among the Breakers." After the show they planned to travel to Condon and give the people there an opportunity to see some of Arlington's theatrical talent, which was said; "not to be sneered at."

On December 17, 1897 Frank Aldrich had his bowling alley about completed and it would be in running order by Jan 1st. He was putting several hundred dollars into the enterprise, and as it was something that had never been introduced in the county before. The Condon Globe said presumed it would find plenty of support. The bowling alley was next door to Coe's saloon. That day grocer George Miller put a candle in his show window which weighed 30lbs and was about 4 feel long. He lit it on New Year's morning and the person who guessed nearest the exact time it took to burn up, would receive $5 worth of goods from his store. On January 14, 1898 it was reported that Miller's candle was about half burned. He lit it on New Year's day and kept it burning all the time except for a few hours at night. It is unknown who won ended up winning the contest.

In the spring of 1898 Sid Hawson who was still the agent in Arlington for Zenas Moody's warehouse which stored wheat and wool that was to be shipped out on the railroad. Tobey Bros. general merchandise store added a jewelry department, and W. L. Tobey who was a first class watch maker was prepared to do all kinds of watch and jewelry repairing. The popular livery man Fin Thomas drove first class rigs, and horses entrusted to his care at his Arlington barn. The horses always came out looking better than when they came in.

On December 22, 1898 an Arlington man passed off a brass nugget at Arlington's Dilley's restaurant and received $35 in cash. After he was arrested for fraud he said he thought it was gold, and that he had pawned it several times before. He was taken to jail and then released on a $200 bond to appear at the next term of court to explain matters.

On Sunday July 30, 1899 Pearl Carlyle celebrated her 12th birthday by entertaining a number of her friends at a lawn party. The lawn was brilliantly lighted and many of the little guests were attired in full evening dress. In the center of the lawn a Maypole had been erected which was cheerfully decorated during the evening. Delicious lunch was served and much fun was had puffing out a dozen candles on the birthday cake. The children went home well pleased with the evening's entertainment all expressing the wish that Pearl might have several birthdays every year.

In the summer of 1899 the Compton & George clothing store advertised their stock of ladies wear and their line of men's and children's shoes. They said they had the best selection in Gilliam county. They wanted the attention of the ladies from Arlington and Condon to visit their store to check out their summer line and to order Snow & Co's. fine dress shoes. Also that summer Balfour, Guthrie & Co. were now managers of the "Brick Warehouse" which was owned by Zenas Moody. They did general storage and forwarding and sold; barb wire, nails, salt, lime, cement, sulphur, wool and grain sacks. George "The Regulator" Miller was still in business selling his groceries. He also sold gentlemen's furnishing goods and was an agent for the celebrated Salem Woolen Mills.

In the summer of 1900 R. H. Robinson was still selling and repairing watches, clocks and jewelry. He had a full stock of gold, gold filled silver and nickel watches, chains, charms, etc. for ladies and gentlemen. His store was located just 2 doors north of the Hotel Grande. J. H. Wood continued to sell furniture, carpets, linoleum, ranges, heaters, and paint. It is unknown if he was still in the undertaking business.

On October 18, 1900 a reporter from the Condon Globe traveled north to check out the country. He said the residents of that area were enjoying a fair measure of prosperity. The threshing was finished and the road was lined with wheat teams going to and from Arlington, which was the principal shipping point for the country. The grain was rolling in so rapidly that the Interior and the Arlington warehouses were swamped with wheat. though both establishments had increased their capacity for that season's crop.

Wheat prices were unsatisfactory but it was hoped that an advance would soon occur which would justify the growers to put their grain on the market. Rails cars were difficult to get but when the correspondent arrived he found the problem was being overcome. Arlington merchants said that business was good and after the wheat market opened up and money began to circulate more freely, their business would be even better. The reporter then visited the establishments of Lord & Co. and Shurte & Wier co. who sold general merchandise; J. H. Wood's furniture, store and R. H. Robinson's jewelry store. They both said that their shops were loaded with fine goods for the fall trade. They were all reliable firms and the reporter urged all the Globe readers to patronize their businesses.

On Saturday December 28, 1901 the following city ticket was nominated at a  mass meeting; Mayor, A. D. Sturgess; City Councll, A. Huff, F. Louy, and A. J. Coe; Treasurer, A. W. Sharrard; Recorder, C. B. Cardlnell. 

On January 2, 1902 George McLaughlin Arlington's harness maker was building a 2 story addition to his shop. Also Professor Homer Mozart Kirby the one-man band set off on a musical trip to Ione and vicinity. On August 18, 1902 G. W. Flett of Olex purchased the old Lawrence blacksmith shop and took it apart to use the lumber on his ranch.

On March 10, 1904 milliners Charles & Kennedy established a millinery shop in Arlington and the 2 ladies expected to have their Spring opening soon. Dr. D. C. Lazier physician and surgeon was advertising his practice and did X-rays and all forms of electrical treatment at his office. W. L. Barker & Co. was selling wagons, hacks, buggies, agricultural  implements, fanning mills, pumps and windmills, pipe and gasoline lamps. They also did bicycle repairing, tinning, plumbing and pipe fitting. J. L. Ross was the owner of the Kentucky Liquor store and sold Hop Gold bottled beer, Old Grandad, Harper and Jesse Moore whiskey. He said when in Arlington call on him. The Arlington Implement and Hardware co. sold; gasoline engines, wagons, farming implements, bolts, nails, ranges, tinware, graniteware, carpenter's tools, locks, hinges, machine extras and oil, axle grease, barb wire, wire netting, extras for Russell threshers, grindstones, etc, which was all in stock.

On November 24, 1904 the new building near Edward's drug store which was to become a lunch counter was almost completed. Arlington's 2 churches were asking for donations to have a couple of Christmas trees, and the Arlington orchestra planned to travel to Condon to furnish the music for their Thanksgiving ball.

On August 24, 1905 S. A. Thomas closed down the Arlington Appeal newspaper and moved his office to Lexington where he established a new paper. George Berry who worked in the Arlington Lumber company's office returned from Portland where his wife had given birth to a baby son. The Arlington Lumber company had been doing business in Arlington for several years.

On July 27, 1911 it was reported that the postmaster of Coyote took a trip to Arlington on the train to see the sights, and when he returned home reported that beer was flowing in the streets there.

On December 20, 1911 the 4 act drama, "Home Ties," which the Arlington Epworth League had been practicing several weeks for, was given at Louy's hall that Wednesday evening. The play was greatly enjoyed by all who attended and was pronounced a great success. On December 22, 1911 H. F. Shanks was operating a jewelry store. The National Bank of Arlington and the Arlington Lumber co. were still in business. G. W. Biggs was doing such good business at his store he had to hire 3 extra salespeople to handle the Christmas rush.

On May 23, 1913 a new garage was being constructed in Arlington to handle all of the automobile repair work. The building was made of brick and was owned and operated by C. E. Van Winkle and C. E. Fry. They also had a car on hand at their shop that could be rented out. Also that day the contract for cementing the crosswalks in town was let to H. W. Lang and work began the following week.

In 1917 Tony Clviata established an auto repair shop and vulcanized tires. You could send your tires to him through the mail and he paid the postage. You could then pick up the tire or pay to have him send it back to you.

The Arlington Tragedy

On Friday August 27, 1897 the Condon Globe reported that a fire broke out at the Shurte residence in Arlington. Clarence Shute's wife and 2 young children had suffocated to death before they could be rescued. The tragedy began on Tuesday evening, August 10th, between 9pm and 10pm when Clarence A. Shurte left James W. Smith's store where he was employed. His wife Florence and Nellie France, who was a young lady friend that was staying with them, met him on his way home, and the three walked leisurely back to the Shurte residence.

Soon after arriving at their home, the usual family discussions were engaged in, and afterwards the family and Miss France retired to their respective rooms upstairs and all were soon wrapped in a peaceful slumber. But a few minutes before 11pm, Mr. Shurte was suddenly aroused from a sound sleep by some noise. He jumped from the bed and ran downstairs where he discovered a fire on the lamp stand and on the floor in the room where they had gathered, and where he had blown out the lamp before going to bed.

He at once gave the alarm of fire, ran to the hydrant in the yard, turned the water on and rushed to the front porch where be broke out a large glass window with his foot and turned the water on the rapidly spreading blaze, while shouting "fire! fire!" as loudly as he could, hoping to arouse his neighbors to come to his aid. He kept the water turned on the stairway to protect the way of escape for the occupants in the upper story, expecting at any moment to see Miss France and his wife descending the stairs with the children.

After some minutes he came to the conclusion that they had not been awakened. He then dropped the hose and ran to the rear of the house, grabbed a short ladder and with great exertion reached the kitchen roof, intending to break through the window to reach his loved ones; but on getting to the opening he found it impossible to get through the roaring flames. He then jumped from the roof and ran to the front of the house in hopes that be could reach the top of the porch and get through the front opening, but to his dismay be found the fire by now was under too strong of a headway to admit anyone from getting in without a force of water following them.

As he had heard no cry from the upper room he thought possibly they had escaped without his knowledge. He then ran to his nearest neighbor, Mrs. Daggett's, and there found Miss France, but none of his family had left the burning building. He then gave up in despair and was powerless to do anything more. By this time the citizens had began to gather around the burning structure, and a heavy stream of water was soon turned on which enabled 2 heroes, J. A. Hughes and J. L, Chandler to get in to the second story where they found the mother and her 2 children in the room where the father, mother and the youngest child slept. The firefighters found the children lying on the floor covered with some bedding while the mother was unprotected, and all were unconscious.

The firemen took them to the open air and it was found that life was extinct; death had come by suffocation. Mr. Shurte stated that he blew out the light on retiring, but some fire must had remained on the wick, and this caused the lamp to explode. Evidently oil must have been scattered in 2 of the lower rooms, as no fire could have gained such headway in so short a time. It was not more than 10 minutes from the time he discovered the blaze until his family was beyond help. In so short a time home, loved ones all that are prized in this world were gone, never to be regained in this life.

There was little of value to be saved, and the house and contents were insured for less than 2/3rds their value. This was one of the worst tragedies Gilliam county had ever known, and Mr. Shurte had the deep, heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in which he resided and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His wife Florence was 30 years old and their 2 sons, Curtis E. and Ralph M. were 11 years old and 2 years old respectively. Clarence Shurte was well known in Gilliam county and had been the head business manager and book-keeper for the James W. Smith mercantile store in Arlington beginning in 1887.

The County Seat Question Redux

On September 28, 1899 the Oregonian said that; "Condon, the county seat of Gilliam county, will have to look to its laurels," according to Representative Sid G. Hawson, who hailed from Arlington, the original county seat of Gilliam, and an important railroad town. Arlington citizens had never lost faith that one day they might regain the seat of county government. Hawson, who was seen at the Perkins Hotel in Condon the previous day, said that Arlington business interests proposed to ask the next legislature to pass an act enabling Gilliam county citizens to reconsider the question of the county seat, and the candidate for legislative honors who asked Arlington citizens for votes declared himself in favor of the enabling act.

Condon, which is 40 miles south of Arlington, was very near the geographical center of Gilliam county, until Wheeler county cut off the south portion the previous year taking the Fossil country along with it. Arlington at the time had a larger population than Condon, and its citizens saw their chance to bring the courthouse records back again to the town which was on the railroad. Condon, Mr, Hawson said, was situated high upon the open prairie in a rich agricultural and stock country, but the railroads penetrating that portion of Eastern Oregon had thus far left Condon to one side.

No courthouse had yet been built at Condon, on account of the opposition in the north end of the county, and so the seat of county government had not been anchored at Condon in any way. Under the recent apportionment Gilliam county now had only a fraction of a member in the legislature, and there was no telling whether her next joint representative would come from Gilliam, Grant Sherman or Wasco county, which constituted the 28th representative district back then.

They also combined back then to form the 21st senatorial district. Arlington citizens had always disliked the stage ride into the interior of Gilliam county when offlcial business compelled their presence at the county seat. Lately a telephone line had shown itself quite a convenience between Arlington and Condon, but still the Arlingtonians continued to yearn for the presence of the sheriff, the clerk, the treasurer and the semiannual visit of the circuit judge with its train of witnesses, jurors and litigants, who filled the hotels and dropped lots of silver in its retail stores. It was only natural, Mr. Hawson said, that Condon people would oppose the passage of the proposed enabling act.

The Arlington Stage Lines, Livery, Freighters and Bus Lines

Beginning in the 1880's and continuing up to the mid 1900's, stage lines were running coaches to and from Arlington. These companies where; The Arlington-Bickleton Stage Line ran between Arlington and Goldendale, WA. The California, Oregon and Idaho Stage Co. in 1888 operated between Arlington and Heppner. Joe B. Keeney was the superintendent. The Alkali-Willow Creek Stage Line which was run by Ed Richardson, and the Arlington-Fossil Stage Line which began operations in the 1890's. Stagecoach service between Arlington and Condon ended in 1905 when the Union Pacific completed their branch line between those towns.

The Arlington-Fossil Stage Line 

In 1892 Ed Nelson was the owner of the Arlington-Fossil stage line. There is an interesting story about that company which occurred in 1894. The story begins when Marie (Parrish) Hanson who was a daughter of "Uncle" Jack Parrish had divorced her husband Albert Hanson in November of 1894 in Condon. The young lady then rode the stage to Fossil accompanied by Dr. Hunlock of Mitchell. The next day the couple took the northbound stage to Arlington where they boarded an Arlington-Bickleton stage bound for Goldendale where they were married. They did this because Oregon had a law that you could not remarry for 6 months after a divorce.

By 1894 Nelson had sold the line to Mr. L. Parker. Sadly in the summer of 1896 Parker would pass away, and in August of that year, the horses, harness' and stagecoaches of the company were sold by the administrator of the Parker estate to, Harry Reed, Mr. Buckingham and John Niven of Fossil. 

On April 9, 1897 while John Niven was driving the stage down to Fossil, and when he was about 2 miles from this destination, the wheels became so encased with mud that they refused to turn. As he jumped off the coach to unhitch the horses and pack the mail into town. He sank into the mud over his knees. In extricating himself he ended up pulling both his legs out of his rubber boots. When he bent down to pick up his boots, he could find no trace of them.

Although the moon was shining brightly, he failed to locate them after a thorough search. With only his socks on he put the mail sacks on the horses' backs, and before he finished, one of his socks was swallowed up by the mud. The spectacle of the mail courier walking into town barefooted, leading 2 very tired horses over whose backs were strung the mail bags, furnished considerable amusement to those who were at the post office waiting for their mail to arrive.

By the summer or fall of 1897 Niven and Buckingham had sold their interest in the line as it was now operated by Harry Reed and his partner A. C. Ogilvie. In 1897 the fare to Fossil which is 60 miles from Arlington was $5, to Mayville 53 miles away it was $4, to Condon 39 miles $3, to Clem 28 miles away $2, and to Olex 19 miles miles away from Arlington was $1.50. Round trip tickets saved the traveler a buck or 50 cents depending on where you were going. The stage departed Arlington every morning at 6am except Sunday's, and the coach arrived in Fossil at 7pm. They also carried the mail.

On June 18, 1897 it was reported to the Condon Globe that Harry Reed of the Arlington-Fossil stage line was about to commit matrimony. They wished him everything good, etc. In the meantime George Rose took his place on the stage and on Monday June 14th he made better time than usual. The Globe said that; "George knew just where to "hit 'em on the back' to make time."

In January of 1898 R. H. Robinson took over the express business in Arlington for the Fossil stage company. He had a temporary office he shared with Ross Beardsley.

Besides the stage coach companies operating in town, Arlington had livery stables. In 1888 Joe Keeney had a livery stable and stagecoach business, O. N. Dennis had a livery stable, Harry Reed had his livery stable and stagecoach business, and there was a place at the south end of town called Commercial Stables. In January of 1890 John Lord was the salesman for the McHaley stable in Arlington. They sold Clydesdale stallions weighing from 1,000 to 1,700 pounds. He would take other horses in trade. Other stables in the 1890's were John Cunningham's livery and Dodson's livery. On October 19, 1894 Frank M. Munkers rented the Cunningham livery for one year. On August 9, 1895 Joe F. Thomas took over as owner of the Cunningham livery, and on June 11, 1897 Thomas bought the Dodson livery stable.

The Junction House a Teamster Rest Stop

During the 1890's and until the railroad to Condon was completed in 1905, teamsters hauling freight could make a stop at the Junction House. This rest stop was located 7 miles south of Arlington where the road to Condon intersected with the Oregon Trail and the road to Rock Creek. The place was known as Shutler. On Friday October 12, 1894 the team of W. G. Flett of Olex ran away near the Junction house, running against John Brown's team and demolished a wagon or two. It was reported on March 20, 1896 that Fred Cornett of Matney Flat had purchased the old Junction House farm, and was using it as a sheep ranch for his and his brother-in-law, L. Barker's sheep. They continued to operate the resting place for the freighters.

On October 30, 1896 Junction House owners W. L. Barker and F. C. Cornett placed an ad in the Condon Globe. They said that from now on the privilege of teamsters to use the water, stable-room and camp-house accommodations at the Junction House would be charged at the following rates; For water only, for 6 months, $1. Water and stable room, 6 months, $2. Water, stable and camp-house, 6 months, $2.50. These amounts were to be paid in advance. They also said that; "Teamsters, of course, must take chances on the barn being full of horses at times; but first come first served." L. L. Cooke was in charge of the premises and acted as collector for the owners.

The End Days For the Arlington-Condon Stages and Freighters

In July of 1902 the Jackson Bros; H. C. and J. W. were the new operators of the Arlington-Fossil stage. Business was so good that in July of 1902 the Dixon, Grant & Co. began operating a competing stage transporting people between Arlington and Fossil. Dixon had the contract to carry the mail and also hauled express freight. 

By 1905 there were 4 stages running between Arlington and Condon and each was fully loaded for every trip. Owing to the fact that many of the freighters had sold off their teams and quit the business because of the new railroad branch line which was almost completed, it was difficult to get freight into Condon, and building material and other necessaries were not plentiful. County commissioner Horace Walker expected to see a building boom in Condon when the railroad finally reached the city in May of that year.

The Condon Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad

On January 7, 1901 the Oregonian reported that an enthusiastic mass meeting of citizens from Gilliam county was held in Condon Saturday January 5th to discuss the feasibility of organizing a company to construct, equip and operate a railroad between Condon and Arlington. More than 100 representative citizens of the county were present. Condon Mayor Dunn called the meeting to order, and W. S. Myers, a prominent wheat grower, was elected chairman, with S. A. Pattison as secretary.

They appointed another committee which recommended that a joint stock company be formed, with a capital of $500,000. A committee on permanent organization and incorporation was elected, as follows; S. B. Barker, Ed Dunn, Condon; B. T. Snell, H. D. Randall, Olex; Fred Tobey, W. L. Barker, Arlington; John Shorb, Ralph Froman, Ferry Canyon; W. J. Edwards, A. Greiner, Mayville; G. Schilling, H. L. Propst, Matney Flat; C. A. Danneman, W. R. Boyer, Clem; A. B. Lamb, Will Hoover, Fossil; R, M. Johnson, Lone Rock.

The proposed road would be about 50 miles long, with very little expensive grading. The wheat crop of 1900 in the territory which the road would tap amounted to 1,000,000 bushels, much of which was being hauled in wagons 40 to 60 miles, at a cost to the, farmers to the tune of $85,000. Another meeting was to be held the next Saturday, at which time a permanent organization was established. The farmers and businesses were eager to remedy this matter, and the prospects were good that the road would be built.

On November 24, 1904 the graders for the Condon branch line had finished as far as Washington Street when they were stopped from continuing any further until the next town council meeting in December. They were stopped because they had no franchise for the construction of the line. This was only temporary as the franchise was secured by that December and construction continued shortly thereafter. 

On April 6, 1904 the first station north of Condon on the new railroad had been established and given a name. It was to be a regular stopping place with a depot 9 miles north of Condon. The new place was to be known as Gwendolen.

On April 10, 1905 Gilliam County Commissioner Horace Walker had taken a stagecoach from Arlington to Condon and said the Condon branch railroad between those points was rapidly nearing completion. It was thought that it would be ready for operation about May 15th. The track had been laid as far as Rock Creek, 18 miles from Condon, and a large force of men was at work. Construction trains were run over the road, but no freight had been handled yet. The line would be completed by the end of May of 1905.

On August 24, 1905 Fossil rancher Jim King drove a herd of cattle to Arlington to be shipped out on the railroad mainline to market. He said it was cheaper to drive them to Arlington than to pay the extra $23 per railcar on the branch line. The cattle were sold to J. E. Reynolds of Portland.

The Arlington-Bickleton Stage Line

The Arlington-Bickleton Stage Line ran between Arlington and Bickleton, WA. Coaches crossed over the river on the Arlington ferry. The road then went north up the hill to Cleveland, and then northeast to Bickleton. To reach Goldendale, the line connected with other stages to Goldendale. At Cleveland the old road ran due west for 7 miles into the Simcoe mountains where it turned to the southwest for another 6 miles before turning west again for another 7 miles and connected with The Dalles and Yakima wagon road (now Highway 97) about 9.25 miles northeast of Goldendale. In 1914 the Bickleton highway between Goldendale and Bickleton was completed through the Rock Creek valley on a 5% grade. In 1915 this road was widened. In 1918 a new road was completed from Bickleton to Mabton, and in 1920 the road between Goldendale and Mabton became a section of the North Bank Highway.

On November 21, 1907 B. L. Quell sold the Arlington-Bickleton stage line to Ed Hookes of Cleveland, WA. Hookes had been the owner of the Goldendale stage. Hookes then made a change in the route with one coach departing Arlington and and another departing Bickleton daily at 7am. The route ran through Dot and Cleveland in Washington and arriving at their intended destinations at 3pm for the 30 mile trip.

The Arlington Auto Stages

In the summer of 1922 J. C. Owen proprietor of the Heppner-Arlington Auto Stage co. ran busses between those towns. His buses left the Heppner Hotel at 9am and arrived at the Grande Hotel at noon for $3. The bus then left the Grande Hotel at 2:30pm and arrived at the Patrick Hotel in Heppner at 6pm for a $3 ticket. The bus also connected with trains #2 & #18 eastbound and trains #1 and #17 westbound at Arlington. In the spring of 1923 O. H. McPerrin and R. E. Burke were operating the Arlington-Heppner Auto Stage. Their headquarters were in the Patrick Hotel in Heppner and they made stops at Heppner, Lexington, Ione, Morgan, Cecil and Arlington.

In 1927 the Union Pacific railroad was advertising a motor coach service on the Columbia River Highway. Their busses departed from the Arlington Hotel every day. Westbound busses bound for Portland left at 11:10am and 12:55pm and made stops at The Dalles, Hood River, Multnomah Falls, and arrived in Portland at 5:45pm and 7:18pm. Eastbound busses left Arlington at 1:30pm and 2:50pm for Pendleton and made a stop at Umatilla, and arrived in Pendleton at 4:30pm and 11:50pm. At Pendleton passengers could connect with busses going to Walla Walla.

In 1928 the Union Pacific was advertising that now they were making stops eastbound at Hermiston, Stanfield and Echo. They also started running busses from Pendleton to Walla Walla and made stops in Adams, Athena, Weston, Milton, Freewater (before these towns combined) and arrived in Walla Walla. In 1929 the Union Pacific busses were serving Lewiston, Idaho and all intermediate points. Their busses continued to disembark from the Arlington Hotel.

In the 1930's the H. P. A. Stage co. was operating busses between Heppner and Arlington, and Heppner and Pendleton. The Arlington bus made stops at; Lexington, Ione, Morgan, Cecil, and Heppner Junction before arriving in Arlington. The bus left from the Heppner Hotel Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:15am and arrived in Arlington at 11:15am. The bus then departed Arlington at 4:30pm and arrived back in Heppner at 6:30pm. the rates were $2 one way and $2.50 round trip. Tickets in Arlington could be purchased at the Oasis Cafe.

The New Portage Railroad

In 1905 a new portage railroad was completed around Celilo falls between the Big Eddy and Celilo village, and riverboats began hauling cargo up and down the river again between Portland and Wallula. Arlington now had both a river and rail connection east and west. That year Arlington was a healthy town of 500 inhabitants, who were loyal supporters of the new river line and some of these supporters came together and constructed a commodious wharf boat to be used on its waterfront.

The Flood of 1907

On January 31, 1907 Umatilla county and different parts of Eastern Oregon suffered the worst flood from melting snows in their histories. Trains on the Walla Walla branch of the O. R. & N. had been held up since noon that day and there were no trains running until the next day. W. & C. R. trains in Washington were also held up as the tracks and bridges were washed out. Sudden melting of snow by the Chinook, winds caused the flood. Milton and Athena streets and basements were flooded as also those of Weston.

It was not known at the time when trams would run to Spokane. Through trains from Portland were expected that day. Small bridges were out on wagon roads throughout the country. Grain was not damaged. No material damage was reported, at Pendleton, the worst damage being done to railroads. Tracks were in good condition from Pendleton to La Grande and the east. The trouble was between Pendleton and The Dalles and eastern Washington points.

August Smythe of Arlington, who was one of the largest sheep owners in the state of Oregon reported on February 1, 1907 a loss of 2,000 head of sheep on account of the flood. The sheep were caught by the sudden rise in Willow creek and drowned; The loss was $12,000.

On February 8, 1907 it was reported the the flood at Arlington destroyed one of the city's water mains, which let the reservoir run dry. No mall had been received there for the past 7 days. The weather was cloudy and cold. On February 13th the storm had broken and the O. R. & N. was back to running daily service to Arlington, and they began to accept first-class freight. The damage to the county roads and bridges was beyond estimate at that time, and the Main street of the town had been washed out.

The flood scoured out a chasm 20 feet deep, and in places it was 100 feet wide, which crossed Main street in one place. The chasm followed the course of a small  drainage ditch. When the flood began Friday night on February 1st it took out a couple of joints in the water main so people were without water until the  afternoon of the following day. For a while it was feared that the building occupied by Owen S. Ebi would go. Mr. Ebi had moved his stock of confectionery to the building formerly used as a bowling alley, next to the butcher shop.

On February 15, 1907 it was reported in the Arlington Record that for several days the water had been very high in the ditch that ran through town on account of the warm weather and Chinook winds, but the water was now receding. The flood took out the old store building next to the Vendome Hotel and also the barn belonging to William Irvine. The big ditch created by the flooding across Main street which was about 20 feet deep required hundreds of dollars to repair.

The Arlington Fire of 1911

On Sunday June 4, 1911 a fire erupted in Arlington and 2 wood frame buildings, one vacant, and the other occupied by the Arlington Record newspaper and job printing office, were entirely destroyed by fire. The flames, aided by a west breeze, spread so rapidly that it was impossible to save any machinery or type. The books and accounts of the Record were all burned. The editor's household goods, which were in an adjoining building, were also among the ruins.

J. F. Norvell, was the editor and owner of the Record, and he estimated the loss on his presses, type, engines and other fixtures at $2,000. He had $500 insurance on his fixtures. Despite the heavy loss Mr. Norvell said he would open another printing office in the near future. The location of the burning building was such that all the houses on the block were in danger from flying sparks which several times caught on roofs of dwelling houses, but were quickly extinguished. It has unknown how the fire started.

The Arlington Ferry

Ferry since across the Columbia to Klickitat county began in 1881. The landing on the Oregon side was originally east of today's Arlington Port Road, and is now under the water. The road to the landing began at the north end of Main St. (which is also now underwater) and it then made a sort of an "S" curve to the landing. It is unknown exactly what date when ferry began service or who was its owner but in 1890 Ed Wilson was the owner of the ferry.

On May Friday May 2, 1890 a huge scow was seen floating down the river at Arlington. Captain Babbe tried to secure it, but failed to do so and the ferryboat did not have enough power to tow it. The Captain said that from now on they would not attempt to capture anything larger than a sagebrush, lest they be taken in tow instead of taking in tow.

In November of 1892 a competing company was established and Mr. Powers was its owner. The company was called the Arlington-Klickitat Ferry co. and it began service in direct competition with Ed Wilson's boat. Powers' ferry was called the Lizzie Linn.

On January 23, 1892 the Lizzie Linn was taken out of service to be re-caulked and she was to remain on the Oregon shore until the ice blockade on the river had broken up. In the meantime the company began to use small boats to ferry passengers across the river. It is unknown if Ed Wilson's boat was taken out of service though it is assumed that he did.

The March 8, 1892 issue of The Dalles Chronicle reported that the son of Ed Wilson, the Arlington ferry owner had been arrested on the suspicion of burning the opposition boat the Lizzie Linn. It is unknown what happened afterwards or if he was ever found guilty of the crime. Since nothing can be found about the result of the investigation, it is assumed that he was found innocent. On June 20, 1892 the Arlington-Klickitat Ferry co. held a meeting and decided to launch another vessel for the Arlington run.

On November 25, 1892 the Condon Globe said that Carrie Wilson's application for a ferry license at Arlington was revoked, and that a license was granted to the Arlington-Klickitat Ferry co. to operate a ferry at Arlington, which included a 2 mile frontage privilege.

On December 9, 1892 Captain F. D. Nelson of Columbus made arraignments with the ferry company in Arlington to bring up his steam ferry the Yukon. His boat made its steam by using Naphtha or gasoline, and the old steamer was to be tied up at the landing. On December 23, 1892 it was reported that Nelson's ferry boat which was now being used at Arlington which was propelled by gasoline or naphtha power, could be operated at a cost of about 50c a day for fuel. It is said the boat was of a very unique plan and pattern.

On June 22, 1894 the Arlington ferry was improved with a new steam powered vessel. On August 28, 1894 it was reported that the ferry was now free to farmers who were bringing wheat from across the river to Arlington. The newspaper said; "this is as it should be." It is unknown how long this arraignment lasted though it was probably for the duration of that year's harvest.

On July 4, 1892 the ferry Alkali made a trip several miles upriver from Arlington carrying 15 passengers.

On March 20. 1896 it was reported that Captain Nelson was building a new ferry boat to ply the waters on the Arlington run. The new vessel was to be large enough to carry 4 wagons with 4 horses for each team at one time.

On Saturday June 26, 1897 it was reported that a man by the name of Melrose was arrested in The Dalles on Friday evening of June 25th and was taken to Arlington on the train the next morning. Melrose was wanted for stealing a number of articles from Captain Nelson of the Arlington ferry.

On August 18, 1897 it was reported that inspectors Edwards and McDermott were on the Colombia river to inspect, under the new law, the ferries fitted with gasoline engines which were now plying on the river. They looked at the naphtha launch Rufus, ferrying from the town of Rufus; the gasoline barge Yukon, crossing from Arlington, and the newly built ferry steamer Cuban Queen, which was on the Columbus-Grants run. The ferries of the Columbia river had been greatly improved in 1896 because of the increase in business, due to better times, which encouraged the owners to put on new and modern boats.

During November of 1897 ice had covered most of the river and the small gasoline ferry had to be taken out of service. Captain Nelson took advantage of the downtime to overhaul the vessel and prepare it for winter work. The long ferryboat didn't handle heavy ice very well. There was a lot of wheat over in Washington that needed to be brought over to Arlington so it could be loaded onto the trains. The ferry was rushed from morning until the evening crossing over teams and wagons full of the grain.

On Wednesday afternoon June 29, 1898 as John Madison, of Bickleton, WA., was driving a heavily loaded wagon from the ferry at Arlington, he was thrown from the seat, and the wheel passed over the lower part of his body, inflicting injuries from which he died 20 minutes later. An inquest was held and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and the owners of the ferry were not to blame. The frequent rise and fall of the rivers at that time of year made it impossible for the company to maintain a good landing at all times. The deceased left behind a widow and 7 children who lived in Bickleton.

In the spring of 1899 the Arlington Ferry co. launched a new and larger vessel. The new boat could cross the river at anytime of the year and had 2 engines which ran a stern wheel. The old boats that were in use prior could not handle all the traffic going back and forth across the river. On Thursday March 16, 1899 the new ferry at Arlington was put into service. They said it would be the finest ferry on the upper river.

On September 20, 1900 the Condon Globe said that a new ferry for Arlington was under construction and would be completed as fast as the workers could build it.

On November 14, 1901 the Arlington-Klickitat Ferry co. was granted a new license to operate a ferry at Arlington for the next 10 years. On January 2, 1902 Arthur Wheelhonse resigned his position as captain of the terry and the vessel was now in charge of Captain Busey

On June 23, 1905 it was announced that the Northern Pacific Railroad was the purchaser of the Coffield Bros. fruit ranch on the Columbia. This gave the company a nice location for a townsite with plenty of water for the engines and room for switches for a division station. The company was also in the process of making arrangements for station grounds at the Arlington ferry and at Long Island. The new railroad town was platted that year and called Roosevelt by one of its first residents, T. B. Montgomery to honor Theodore Roosevelt.

The Arlington ferry had carried thousands of head of livestock back and forth over the river during the years of its operation. The livestock would be brought across from Oregon to pasture in Washington and in the 1890's some were taken over so they could be driven to Wallula Junction and be loaded onto Northern Pacific railcars there as the rates from Arlington to Wallula Junction on the Union Pacific were too high.

May 13, 1907 was a busy day for the Arlington ferry. On that day Smythe & Smythe crossed 1,500 head of sheep and Charles Cunningham of Pendleton received 800 cattle. The town was overrun with stockmen, the most prominent of which were; Charles Cunningham of Pendleton, August K. Smythe and William Smythe of Arlington, Nathan Cecil and Mr. Deford of Cecil's, J. E. Wharton of Heppner and P. R. Heins of Billings, MT. Cunningham's cattle were destined for the Yakama reservation and he had 2,100 head already on the Washington side of the river, and would start to drive them up as soon as the 800 head could be brought over on the ferry.

Between November 9th and November 13th in 1908 the Arlington ferryboat was given a general overhauling. While the ferry was being overhauled the flat boat which usually operated with sails during windy weather, was used. The boat was pulled back and forth across the Columbia by a small gasoline launch.

On February 18, 1910 it was reported that D. C. Leghorn had purchased a half interest in the Arlington Ferry. On Saturday September 24, 1910 the Morning Oregonian said that the Customs House officials were notified that the Arlington-Klickitat Ferry company had sold its ferry, documented as the steamer Oregon, to Joseph S. Smith. The craft plied between Arlington and the north bank of the Columbia. Mr. Smith planned to continue the service.

On Monday March 17, 1913 the Arlington ferry was sold to John S. Wineland for about $3,000. The ferry formerly belonged to Joe Smith, who then entered the warehouse business. It was said that the ferry between Arlington and Roosevelt was a profitable business. On May 23, 1913 George Campbell resigned his position with Mr. Wineland on the Arlington ferry and left for Montana with a carload of sheep. Fred Collins then took his place on the vessel.

A Bad Day for Trombley

On Saturday April 28, 1917 it was reported that B. F. Trombley who was a Pendleton auto dealer had some bad luck transporting a new car from The Dalles back to Pendleton. The story begins when Trombley left The Dalles on Wednesday the 25th and was held up for 24 hours at McDonalds ferry on the John Day river due to high water. He then decided to drive back to Wasco and take the road to Grants and cross the river on the Maryhill ferry and then drive to Roosevelt via Goldendale to catch the ferry at Roosevelt and cross back over the river to Arlington.

Trouble for Trombley began when he crossed over to the Washington side of the river as he was arrested in Goldendale on Thursday the 26th while getting lunch at a local hostelry. He was going to be charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license. Back then Oregon did not require drivers licenses until 1920, but Washington began to require them beginning in 1917 although they did not get really serious about it until 1921.

Instead of going to jail Trombley somehow was able elude capture by the sheriff and he made a sensational getaway, leaving town at 60 miles per hour in the high-powered car. His decision was not a good one and the sheriff was able to seize him and his car at the ferry landing before he could make it across into Oregon. The sheriff had called the ferry operator at Roosevelt and told them not to leave until he got there to apprehend Trombley.

When Trombley realized the ferry was not going to leave he called sheriff Til Taylor in Pendleton hoping to have him released into his custody. His plan failed and he was taken back to Goldendale to face his bad decision to run from the police as well as not having a drivers license. Trombley was able to avoid jail time and was fined $25 plus costs, which amounted to $36.50. In addition to those costs he had to pay $5 for a Washington license so he could drive his car from the garage in Roosevelt to the ferry landing which was only a half mile away.

She Lost Her Teeth

On August 23, 1924 it was reported that an unnamed woman from Grants Pass, OR sent in an article about her to the Grants Pass Courier which was published in the San Diego News on August 8th. The article said that a lady from Grants Pass, Oregon while waiting for the Arlington ferry on the Roosevelt side of the river had lost a full set of false teeth and was very anxious to get them back. She offered a reward of $5 to any person who would return them to her. The newspaper said that at first it sounded like a joke, but later they supposed it was a very serious matter.

The Flooded Highway

During a late December storm in 1964 the heavy rain and melting snow caused havoc in the region around Arlington and the storm caused Willow creek to overflow its banks in the worst flooding since 1903 when 400 people were killed at Heppner. Ione was completely flooded and it was isolated for 2 days as the roads at both ends of town were washed out. The Columbia River Highway and the railroad were both washed out west of Arlington by the heavy rains. Auto travelers going east or west across northern Oregon had to take the Arlington ferry and drive on the Washington side to Maryhill and cross back over on the new bridge to Biggs and vice versa. Railroad passengers had to wait until the new years weekend when train service could be resumed. the highway was reopened at about the same time.

The John Day Dam

In 1968 the John Day dam was nearing completion and that year the river behind the dam was impounded and it began the rise which created Lake Umatilla. The old ferry landings for the Arlington-Roosevelt ferry were submerged, and the Army Corps of Engineers built new landings on both sides of the river. On the Washington side, the ferry landing was at the end of the Roosevelt Ferry Road in the Roosevelt Recreation Area on the west side of the boat launch. On the Oregon side the landing was at the end of the Arlington Port Road west of the marina. The Arlington ferry operated at these new landings from 1968 to 1974 when service permanently ended.

The Arlington Hotels

Arlington has had many hotels since its founding. The Dalles Mountaineer said in November of 1881 that Arlington had 1 hotel, and the Pendleton East Oregonian said in October of 1881 that the town had 2 hotels. The first hotel in Arlington was established in 1881 when John H. Jordan built the Jordan Hotel on the east side of Main Street between "A" Street and "B" Street. Today "B" Street ran along the south side of Beech Street, and the hotel was in the parking lot and south end of the park. He ran this house until 1892 when he retired from the business. By 1885 the Gilmore House had been established and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bennett were the proprietors. The Gilmore house was south of the depot. Today this is the west side of Arlington Port Road on the railroad tracks. By 1887 the Sanford House was established by A. C. Sanford and was managed by William "Billy" Theodore.

In the spring of 1888 the Heppner Gazette was promoting some of the businesses in Heppner in a small article they ran for several months. One paragraph said that; "When you go to Arlington stop with Billy Theodore, at the Sanford House." In the spring of 1890 the Sanford House changed ownership and the new owners Chapman & Freeman changed the name to The Hotel Grande. In the Thursday May 8, 1890 issue of the Heppner Gazette it said that the Hotel Grande's dining room in Arlington was now under the superior management of Chapman & Freeman. It was the place to stop when you were in that town. They also said that good beds could be had there.

On March 27, 1890 the Bennett's changed the name of the Gilmore House to Bennett's Hotel and offered first class accommodations at reasonable rates. The hotel was next to the depot and was also known as the Depot Hotel.

On April 10, 1890 the Heppner Gazette reported that Arlington now had 4 hotels in operation and all seemed to be getting considerable business. These hotels were; The Bennett Hotel operated by J. W. Bennett and his wife, the Jordan Hotel run by John Jordan, the Vendome Hotel with G. T. Wells as proprietor, and the Hotel Grande, which was now run by W. E. Chapman & Mr. Freeman. On June 19, 1890 Freeman sold his interest in the Hotel Grande to his partner W. E. Chapman.

The Vendome was located on the southwest corner of Main and 1st street. Today this is just south of the freeway. The Hotel Grande was located on Main Street between 2nd Street and "A" Street on the west side, and the Arlington Hotel was just south of it. Between them in 1920 was a soft drink establishment. Today the Arlington hotel would be just off the shoreline of the park. "A" Street ran along the south end of the beach.

On April 22, 1890 a man had drank too much "tangle-foot" that evening at the Hotel Grande and in a drunken haze became quite loud and belligerent. He was quickly quieted by the marshal's lead dispenser being brought prominently to his notice. After a night's repose in the "Hotel Hobo," he tried to escape, but because he wanted Mr. Brady to come along, made the hole a little larger to permit that gentleman to crawl out with him and because of that they both were discovered by the sheriff and the duo were sent back to "durance vile."

On January 9, 1892 Dennis Hogan said that; "I had the pleasure to drive, and also partake of the evening meal with a friend of mine, at the old Jordan house one day last week. The table was not lacking in variety, quality nor quantity, I could have enjoyed the dinner had it not been for the rattling off of some woman's tongue who was in from the suburbs, and, of course, had to tell everything that happened during Christmas and New Years in her neighborhood. In the evening, having about finished of the delicacies, the table was spread and another treat was in store for me, this time some very line singing, accompanied by piano. Arlington's famous Professor, Jack Rogers, spread himself on his Irene, Good Night, The Ship That Never Returned, and Where Did Yon get That Hat, and cannot be excelled by either Wachtel or Karl Formes. However, there are other musical cranks, as well as the Professor, in our midst. You can often hear the sweet strains of the violin, guitar or mandolin, fingered by one who can follow his vocation much better. The old saying is, Stick to your trade."

In the Condon Globe issued on April 1, 1892 the Hotel Vendome ran an advertisement which said; G. T. Wells the proprietor, had better accommodations for families that could be had at this house than at any other hotel in town. Bennett's "Depot Hotel" also ran an ad in the same issue and they were the T. P. A. N. W. headquarters. They also said that their building was located next to the train depot making it very convenient for passengers from the back country who had to leave by night trains. They were were able to speak German and French. J. W. Bennett was the proprietor.

On May 6, 1892 it was reported that John A. Brown had rented the Hotel Vendome from G. T. Wells. The Condon Globe said; "and like the editor of the 'Arizona Kicker,' will run a hotel and butcher shop in addition to his paper, having taken charge of the Vendome this week. No doubt his next addition will be a feather factory." Brown would leave town for good in the summer of 1895. On that same day in May it was also reported that Bert Evans who had been officiating at the Hotel Grande left town on Monday May 2nd to accept a position in the Palace Hotel in Heppner as maitre d'hotel. On May 8, 1890 the Heppner Gazette said that the Hotel Grande was the best managed hotel they had seen for some time. Their dining room was crowded for every meal.

In June of 1892 John Jordan decided to retire from the hotel business and hired L. G. Edleman to take over the Jordan Hotel. Edleman didn't last long as manager as by July of 1892 J. E. Miller was now the manager.

On June 11, 1892 the Arlington Record reported that a young lady from Prineville, Oregon, came into Arlington on May 23d in company with a young man by the name of Weaver. The lady or child was only 14 years of age, and had been abducted from her home by Weaver a few days previously. They came to Arlington, when Weaver deserted his companion, and they were left to the mercy of the people at the Jordan Hotel. The little girl had no money and was almost without clothing. The hotel mamger's wife Mrs. J. E. Miller remedied her situation.

After talking with her Mrs. Miller discovered that she had been abducted. Robert Hickle, a deputy sheriff from Crook county, came after the parties, armed with a warrant for the arrest of Weaver on the charge of abduction. When the deputy arrived Weaver was not to be found. The deputy kindly assisted the young lady back to her home and was hopeful in capturing Weaver en route back to Prineville.

On August 10, 1892 the new fire bell in Arlington was rung for the first time that Wednesday morning. The cause being a slight blaze at the Hotel Vendome. The fire was quickly put out after  a few buckets of water were thrown, and  no damage was done. Two days later on August 12, 1892 J. W. Bennett had vacated the Depot Hotel and took charge of the Hotel Vendome from G. T. Wells on lower Main Street about two blocks from the depot. The Vendome had been thoroughly overhauled and was now one of the most agreeable and accommodating hotels in the country.

On May 12, 1893 the Heppner Gazette ran an ad for the Hotel Grande. J. W. Redford was now the proprietor and the hotel was remodeled and everything was new. They said the new hotel was first class and was centrally located, and therefore the most convenient place for commercial travelers. Stages left the hotel every morning for Condon and Fossil and also for Cleveland, Bickleton and Goldendale on the Washington side. The hotel also had employees waiting at the depot which met all the trains coming into town.

On September 28, 1894 a new dentist had established an office in the Grande Hotel. Also on that day Mrs. Wells and family had moved into the Hotel Vendome and started a restaurant. On November 16, 1894 it was reported that J. W. Redford, who was the popular proprietor of the Hotel Grande was doing a good business.

In the fall of 1894 John Jordan closed down the Jordan Hotel which had been in operation since 1881. On November 15, 1894 the furniture of the hotel was auctioned off by S. D. Bennett. The next day on November 16th Jordan took apart the old hotel building and used the lumber to build a house on his ranch at Willow creek. Jordan hired Mr. Pettys to haul the lumber out to his ranch.

On April 12, 1895 Frank M. Munkers opened a new hotel in Arlington. On April 26th the Condon Globe said he was doing good business and they wished him well. It is unknown what the name of the hotel was though it may have been the Arlington Hotel. In 1897 Mrs. John Morman was managing the Vendome Hotel and that October she quit her job and moved to Portland. Her move may have been because she had sued her husband for a divorce. In December of 1898 John Morgan who was a well known and respected sheep herder in Arlington would be found dead from heart failure above a saloon in a room at The Dalles. The article said he had once operated a saloon in Arlington and was on his way to visit his step-daughter in Portland.

On Monday evening December 13, 1897 Arlington narrowly escaped a terrible fire. That night at the Hotel Grande a guest carelessly left a burning lamp on a stand near a window, which was open far enough to allow the wind to blow the curtain over the lamp. When the fire was discovered, the flames were making  rapid progress and if it weren't for the quick response, the blaze would have been beyond control. After a few buckets of water the fire was extinguished.

On Friday January 7, 1898 a "brake-beam tourist," who had come into town a week prior was hired as a dishwasher in the kitchen of the Hotel Grande. That Friday evening he got into a fight with the cook and got himself fired, He then when over to Coe's saloon and filled up on fighting whiskey, and then started out to brawl with somebody. He went next door to the bowling alley and became so loud and noisy that Frank Aldrich was obliged to throw him out.

Later that evening he returned back to the bowling alley and found the cook there. As soon as he saw him the drunken man charged at the cook with murderous intent. He then pulled out an ugly looking pistol, which for some reason "went off" too soon, (or just soon enough) the bullet striking himself in the left leg above his knee and came out below the knee. It knocked all the fight out of him and he was then taken to the Hotel Grande, where Dr. Rudy dressed the wound. The man's injury had made him a cripple for life.

On December 22, 1898 it was reported that the cold weather froze several water pipes causing them to burst causing considerable damage when they thawed out. The Hotel Grande was one of these places and when the pipes thawed they filled the basement with water before it was noticed that a pipe had burst. The cellar had to be pumped out the next day.

On September 28, 1899 R. Fred Munroe and A. J. Sheldon were about to close a deal for the purchase of the Hotel Grande property in Arlington. On October 12, 1899 Munroe and Sheldon finalized the purchase of the Hotel Grande, and they immediately took possession of the property. On April 11, 1900 Fred Munroe married Ella McCurry of Condon at the magistrate's office of that town. George L. Neale officiated. The worthy couple had many friends in the county who joined in wishing them much happiness. They resided at Arlington, where Munroe was engaged in business as one of the proprietor of the Hotel Grande.

Condon resident Ed Temple left Friday morning August 2, 1901 for a short trip to Yuma, Arizona, to attend to some important business matters. He expected to return in 2 or 3 weeks. When Temple stopped in Arlington he ended up accepting a position as clerk in the Hotel Grande.

At the Hotel Grande on Saturday evening, June 7, 1902, with Rev. Ed Baker officiating, James M. Cameron and Mabel Halstead, both popular and highly respected residents of Arlington, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. The Globe had been waiting for some time for the opportunity to chronicle this happy event, and they extended all sorts of congratulations and good wishes. The bride was one of the most highly esteemed young ladies of Gilliam county and for several years had been a successful teacher in the Condon pubic schools, while the groom had grown up in that county and was one of its most successful stockmen. Their judgment and good taste of both were to be commended and it was not too much to say that both were worthy of all the good wishes, which they received from their host of friends.

On Monday July 3, 1905 William Irvine placed an ad in the Oregon Daily Journal that he was selling the Vendome Hotel in Arlington.

On Friday night February 7, 1908 a leaking gas pipe in the lower hall caused an explosion at the Hotel Grande. Proprietor Fred Munroe was quick to extinguish the fire it caused and the damages amounted to only $25.

In January of 1910 W. Claude Cox was traveling back to Heppner from a trip to his old home in Cold Creek, VA While he was staying the night at the Vendome Hotel he saved it from burning down by carrying out a burning kerosene heater that had erupted in flame.

By 1911 the Hotel Grande had changed hands and now A. P. McNary was the proprietor. On May 23, 1913 G. A. Henkel and his wife took over as proprietors of the Hotel Grande. They had given the place a thorough cleaning and put in lots of new furniture.

On June 23, 1915 Eli C. Maddock bought the Hotel Grande from G. A. Henkel, according to a phone message received from him, by his son Creston in Heppner. Mr. Maddock, took immediate possession of the property and then later moved his family to Arlington from Castle Rock, WA. Mr. Maddock was formerly engaged in the hotel business in Heppner and had wide experience in that business. Being well acquainted with the traveling public throughout Oregon, he received a flattering patronage in his new location.

On December 4, 1921 it was announced that the building of the Columbia River Highway and the connecting of the John Day Highway at Arlington, had caused a new era of prosperity for that town. Since the construction of these highways there had been hundreds of automobiles passing through Arlington every day and hotel accommodations became inadequate. E. C Maddock, a well known old and experienced hotel man, who was foremost in the securing of the building of the Columbia River Highway through Arlington, had hired Milton S. Block of La Grande in drawing plans for a 60-room hotel to be built called the Arlington Hotel. Maddock was the owner of the old landmark, "The Hotel Grande," which he realized could no longer serve the public with the credit and respect which his guests required and the people of the state demanded.

The new highway was bringing in more travelers and business to Arlington. On April 7, 1921 William Irvine who was the proprietor of the Palm which was a little confectionary stationary and book store, announced the sale of the Vendome Hotel which he had been the proprietor for several years. May Hughes of Heppner purchased the place and was now the owner, and took possession on April 15th. Some repairs needed to be made before the hotel could be put back into operation. Hughes was highly recommended and had considerable experience in the hotel business. On June 3, 1922 May Porter traded the Vendome Hotel for a hotel at Soda Springs, ID with E. L. Williams who took over the Vendome as proprietor.

On November 17, 1922 M. B. Haines, proprietor of the new hotel at Condon, was in Heppner to attend to business affairs there and at lone, where he formerly engaged in the hotel business and made good. He stated that he had a fine business since going to Condon and was quite well pleased with the situation there. It was reported that Mr. Haines was negotiating for the construction of a new hotel at Arlington, and he said it was going to be one of the best locations for a prosperous hotel business in Eastern Oregon. This was no doubt due to the Columbia River Highway opening.

The August 17, 1922 the Heppner Gazette-Times had mentioned that the Hotel Grande had at last changed hands and was now the property of William McDonald of McDonald's ferry fame. McDonald who a few years back caught people coming and going and was now making arrangements to remodel the old hotel so as to get people coming and keep them there. McDonald needed no introduction to the local people and was well known to the traveling public, and Arlington had indeed been fortunate in getting a man of his ability to take hold of the old Grande Hotel, for he was not only an optimist but a progressive that believed in doing things, and the Times felt safe in saying that under his management the Grande Hotel would evolve from its decline and the citizens would not be ashamed to have their friends stop there. While McDonald had some changes in view and was remodeling the old building it was his intention to erect a new building in the spring of 1923 and have it ready for tourist travel.

Hotel Causes Fire in Arlington

The Tuesday July 31, 1923 edition of the Heppner Herald reported that fire broke out in the Arlington Hotel at 2am Monday the 30th and before the flames were brought under control 2 business blocks in the heart of the town were destroyed. Every building in the block on which the hotel stood was destroyed including the hotel, the city hall and jail, which were next door to the hotel on the south side, the Hotel Grande, Lemon & Snell's garage, the Arlington Hotel's meat market, the soft drink shop which was between the hotels, Jarvls' confectionery and A. J. Coe's Pastime saloon. The block immediately across the street, in which stood a barber shop, auto supply and tire vulcanizing shop, a harness shop, the post office, the Arlington bakery, both new concrete buildings, and the Butcher residence, also a new building, as well as a number of old wooden buildings that also went up in smoke.

The call for help was sent to The Dalles, but before the fire team from that city could get on the road, the fire was brought under control, and after a call which thanked them for their help, they were told they would not be needed after all. No lives were lost and only one man, the hotel cook, was slightly burned. Agnes McDaniel, of Heppner who was employed at the hotel as a waitress was slightly injured when she jumped from the window of her room on the 2nd floor. She traveled to Ione that Tuesday to visit friends and let them know she was ok. The Arlington hotel would be rebuilt but the Hotel Grande was not.

The Rebuilding

On August 30, 1923 The Dalles Optimist said that the rebuilding of Arlington was not progressing as rapidly as some of its citizens would like, the greatest need being a good hotel. Dr, J. W. Donnelly, former Arlington resident and a booster for that community, appeared before The Dalles-Wasco County Chamber of Commerce Tuesday the 28th, and told the members of the situation that confronted the Gilliam county town, He said that Arlington was exceptionally located for a good hotel.

He continued by saying that the town was just the right distance from many of the leading cities to make a good stop for tourists, it would certainly enjoy a big trade in this line. It was at the junction of the John Day and Columbia River highways, the mainline outlet for Grant, Wheeler and Gilliam counties, and had many hundreds of visitors during the goose shooting season. For years there had been talk of a good hotel at Arlington, but the fact of certain competition in the old buildings acted as a damper on the construction of the kind of a hotel the town was entitled to. Now this possible competition had been removed, the town offered an opportunity to some hotel man.

The Hotel Business Continues

On November 2, 1920 Olex resident Frank Weatherford married Arlington resident Daisy M. Irby. They then moved to Shutler Flat a ran a farm there. In 1926 they moved to Arlington and he opened up a barber shop in the Arlington Hotel. He operated the shop until 1932 when they moved back to Olex where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Weatherford served 2 terms as district 28 representative of the Oregon legislature from January of 1959 until the end of 1962. He passed away in 1967. In 1932 Charles Darneiele was the proprietor of the Arlington Hotel.

On February 12, 1924 Vendome proprietor E. T. Williams said that he was building a 35 room addition to his hotel. This was to accommodate the growing business. When the addition was completed he tore down the old hotel and replaced it with a new structure.

On November 18, 1937 H. O. Tenney and his wife who had been the managers of the Heppner Hotel for the past 3 years moved to Arlington and took over the management of the Arlington Hotel. The Tenney's only managed the Hotel for a month. This was because E. W. Barnes who had owned the Welcome Hotel in Burns, OR which had been destroyed by a fire had purchased the Arlington Hotel. The Tenney's who were now out of a job decided to move to Portland. He would then change the name to the Welcome Hotel.

The Columbia River Highway

In the summer of 1917 the state highway commission had decided that the Columbia River Highway would take the inland route through Sherman county. This route was from the Deschutes river to Wasco then cross the John Day river at McDonald's ferry, then to Rock Creek and follow the Condon branch line north into Arlington. The decision to make this the route of the highway was under the condition that Sherman county build a bridge across the John Day river at McDonald's. This route was approximately 9 miles longer than the river route, but the department said it would be easier to build and maintain, and it passed through a populated section of Sherman county. They also said this route would pass through scenic wheat fields.

On July 14, 1917 at a meeting held in Portland, Arlington Mayor Clay C. Clark formed the Co-operative River Highway Association. The association's purpose was to devise ways and means for construction of the base for the Columbia River Highway along the south bank of the Columbia river on a water grade. this new route would go from The Dalles through Biggs, Rufus, Blalock, Arlington, Heppner Junction, Castle, Boardman, Irrigon, Umatilla, Hermiston, Stanfield, Echo and terminate in Pendleton. Delegates from the towns of Biggs, Rufus, Arlington, Boardman, Irrigon, Umatilla, Hermiston, Stanfield, and Echo attended.

It was declared by this association that the state bonding act, which provided for the construction of the Columbia River Highway could not have passed with any other route as a primary highway other than along the river. Construction per mile was said to be 30% cheaper, and it was asserted, because water was convenient, sand and gravel was on the ground and transportation facilities for other materials were available at the lowest rates by rail and water. Maintenance of a water grade road would be 50% less. It was estimated that the saving by the water grade route would be as much as $200,000.

Then on August 12, 1917 at a special meeting held in Portland by the Highway Commission bids were opened for $500,000 of the $6,000,000 state road bond issue. The Commission heard from a delegation from Arlington who protested the route chosen by way of Wasco as they wanted it changed and have it follow the Columbia river from the Deschutes to Arlington instead. The people from Sherman county were unanimous in having it go through Wasco and cross at McDonald's. The Commission decided to conduct its own investigation of the routes and then decide if the route should be changed to follow the river.

On August 13, 1917 it was reported that at the special meeting on the 12th $500,000 of the state's $6,000,000 issue of highway bonds were sold. This block was sold through the Capital National Bank of Salem and $471,300 was received by the Commission. During the special meeting the Highway Commission decided to change the route of the Columbia River Highway to follow the Columbia river from the John Day river which divides Sherman and Gilliam counties. This would bring the highway into Arlington via Quinton and Blalock. The condition was made that the Gilliam county road districts involved vote a 10-mill levy to be expended on the highway. The decision to adopt the river route nullified the previous tentative decision of the Commission, which called for an investigation of both routes to see which one would be the best choice for the highway.

However, the Commission had not officially determined what route the highway would follow from Sherman, in Sherman County, (Sherman was a shipping place near the mouth of Fulton canyon) the point at which Sherman County people proposed that it should branch off from the river to the town of Wasco, and the travel east through Klondike to the John Day river crossing at McDonald's. So there was still a possibility that the highway could be routed by way of Wasco.

Due to the U. S. involvement in World War I beginning in 1918, all road construction in Oregon was halted, and the construction of the Columbia River Highway east of The Dalles would have to wait until the war was over. When the war ended the Oregon Highway department planned to quickly start construction on many road projects around the state since they still had $6,000,000 to spend. These new projects were dubbed the "After-war Road Building Program." One of the first of these after-war road projects was the grading of the Columbia River Highway in Gilliam county from Arlington to Blalock. On January 7, 1919 bids for a project that would construct a a 9 mile section of the Columbia River Highway was opened. The contract for the grading project was awarded to E. T. Johnson for $119,296.

On August 7, 1919 the mayor of Arlington, Dr. J. W. Donnelly, had confessed; "I'll admit the wind blew some at Arlington last week." The Oregonian then said; "But if he had wind, there were parts of the country that would have paid good money for a breath of air." To prevent the wind from disturbing the grade of the Columbia River Highway between Arlington and Blalock, It was proposed to squirt a film of oil. which would serve as a blanket and hold it down. The oiling would be for about 40 or 50 acres. The newspaper then said that the railroad had oiling equipment which was to be be used for this operation.

On February 3, 1920 it was announced that work was under way from the Deschutes river to Blalock and the grading between Blalock and Arlington had been completed. From Heppner Junction to Umatilla the grading of the highway had also been completed, and the highway between Arlington and Heppner Junction was to be completed by June 1, 1920. On March 24, 1920 the Porter & Conley co. was awarded the contract to gravel the 8.9 miles of highway between Arlington and Blalock and 12 miles between Arlington and Heppner Junction. Construction also began on the concrete bridge over Willow creek.

The Columbia River Highway was opened for traffic between Arlington and Umatilla in the summer of 1920. The highway between Arlington and the mouth of the Deschutes river was opened for traffic in 1921. Before 1921 cars traveling eastward from The Dalles took the old route and crossed the Deschutes river on Miller's toll bridge and then drove through Wasco, then to McDonald's ferry in order to cross over the John Day river. Before 1920 cars would turn left and drive up the steep grade, and then travel northeast to reach Arlington. Those going to Pendleton would turn right and follow the Rock Creek Road to Lexington. From August of 1920 to the completion of the highway between the Deschutes river and Arlington in 1921. Vehicles continued to cross at McDonald's ferry drivers traveling east would turn right and take the Rock Creek Road to Rock Creek, and then turn left and travel northward following the Condon branch line into Arlington.

The completed 1921 highway traveling eastward from The Dalles entered Arlington and turned right on Main Street which today is called The Mall. This intersection was just south of the interstate and is now underwater. The highway continued south (through the city park and then crossing Beech St.) for about a quarter mile before veering to the left just before Locust Street. At the intersection of Locust St. and Cottonwood St. it rounded a curve to Columbia Street and then continued north on Columbia Street, and then curved around the bluff to the right towards the south side of the railroad tracks, and then it continued eastward to Heppner Junction.

In the early 1950's the highway was through Arlington and it was realigned to follow the tracks which bypassed the center of town and the curve to go up the hill. Today's railroad tracks closely follow the new highway path.

The John Day Highway

In the November 6, 1920 edition of the Morning Oregonian is an article about Arlington becoming a highway junction. Arlington had been selected as the point where the John Day Highway connects with the Columbia River Highway. This decision was made by the state highway commission on November 5th and it settled a matter which had been under consideration for about 3 years. The route of the John Day Highway, according to the motion made by Commissioner Kiddle, was from Arlington to Condon. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Booth and was unanimously approved.

This decision was based chiefly on the report of C. C. Seeley, assistant state highway engineer, who had devoted much time to gathering data, Kelley's report showed that the route from Arlington to Condon was shorter than by way of Cottonwood. Sherman county had wanted and expected the John Day Highway to connect with the Columbia River Highway in that county at or near Biggs. The commission said that they would later provide Sherman county with a north-and-south road. Sherman county ended up getting their highway which today is known as U. S. Highway 97, or the Sherman Highway through Sherman county.

On August 19, 1922 a census of automobile traffic was taken by the state highway department at the Arlington service station which was located at the junction of the Columbia River Highway and the John Day Highway. The result was that during the day 518 cars were counted of which 198 were cars from states other than Oregon. The John Day Highway was still under construction at the time of the census at the Arlington end which forced 96 cars to go by way of Rock Creek and Blalock. The census showed that what an important road the John Day Highway would be after its completion when traffic could travel over it with out interruption. While there was no official census of the traffic over the Arlington ferry, it was reported that 38 cars crossed over on the ferry which would bring the total up to 556 vehicles traveling through Arlington that day.

Heavy Traffic through Arlington

On Sunday September 30, 1923 it was reported that the city of Arlington, which was now situated on the Columbia River and John Day highways, was in position to receive a lot of travel. That Sunday's motor traffic 
was perhaps the heaviest for any one day in the history of the Columbia River Highway. Round-Up visitors and tourists contributed to the road congestion. Estimates on the number of cars that passed through Arlington during the day ranged from 4,000 to 6,000.

At the noon hour the main street of the city was lined on each side with parked cars while a string of them wound their way down the middle of the street looking for parking space. The front entrances of the Vendome Hotel and Frank & Hank's place resembled a bread line, and in fact was a line of hungry individuals waiting their turn to get tables. Mr. Williams of the Vendome estimated that he fed 1,000 people during the day, and Frank & Hank said they that fed close to that figure. No accidents involving injury to motorists were reported. Snell & Lemon's wrecker was a busy machine, but none of the wrecks brought in were of a serious nature. Marshal Sweeten had but little trouble with the street congestion and there were no accidents.

The Arlington Mastodon

On Thursday April 21, 1921 the Heppner Gazette reported that a complete skeleton of a mastodon was discovered Sunday April 17th in Butcher Knife canyon, about 4 miles southeast of Arlington, near Willow creek. The discovery was made by William Marshall, who was a sheep-herder employed by the Smythe Bros Sheep company. The prehistoric relic was found by Marshall when he saw the point of one of the tusks sticking up several inches above the sandy soil in the sagebrush. Fred Danielson, camp tender for the Smythe Bros, shearing plant and camps, brought one of the tusks to Arlington.

The tusk measured exactly 9 feet from the base, which was 12 inches in diameter, and it was a perfect specimen. Mr. Danielson said that the skeleton of the prehistoric mammal was complete, as far as could he determined from a preliminary excavation. Arlington citizens were planning to have the find exhumed and brought to town for exhibition purposes. Remnants of prehistoric animals have been found in the territory around Arlington before this find, but this was the first time that a complete specimen had been discovered. It is unknown what ever happened to the skeleton.

The Arlington Flood of 1927

On June 25, 1927 a sudden torrent from a cloudburst flooded Arlington's business and residence districts and they suffered severe damage. The next day residents began the work of clearing debris and repairing wrecked buildings and counting the loss. Pouring down Alkali canyon at 5:40am Saturday morning the 25th, a wall of water estimated to be about 7 feet high, turned Main Street into a scene of havoc.

The cloudburst had occurred at Shutler Flat and then came down the canyon into Arlington. Serious consequences were averted as William Head and Frim Williams who had encountered the torrent while driving along the John Day Highway toward Condon. They turned back and warned several motorists on the road to turn back as well. When they reached Arlington they gave the news, and the alarm was sounded, and everybody scurried up to the hills. The Vendome received the brunt of the flood, and part of the building was torn away. Ruth Harris and D. Forrest guests of the Vendome were in the second story and were rescued without injury.

The hotel remained, but was twisted on its foundation. The water washed out 75 feet of the Old Oregon Trail, swept out sections of the John Day Highway and wrecked piers of the trail bridge over Alkali canyon. The following buildings were either destroyed or were badly damaged; The Frame lodging house owned by C. W. Burnham, the plumbing shop owned by A. B. Clough, the machinery warehouse also owned by Clough, homes owned by Leon Butcher and Arthur C. Smythe. Several frame buildings in the construction camp of Retran and Baer on the John Day Highway were washed away. Several autos were also hit by the flood and were damaged.

Arlington's Famous Musician

Arlington is the birthplace of "Doc" Severinsen who from 1967 to 1992 led the NBC Orchestra on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. Doc's real name is Carl Hilding Severinsen and was born to Carl Sr. and Minnie Mae Severinsen at Arlington on July 7, 1927. His father was the only dentist in town and this is where he gets his nickname from. According to Wikipedia, Severinsen's father played violin and wanted his son to learn to play the instrument. Doc didn't want to play the violin and instead wanted to play the trombone.

The Arlington music store didn't have any trombones for sale when he went there to buy one, and instead he settled for the cornet. (He later found that His arms were not long enough to play the trombone.) His neighbor happened to know how to play the cornet and showed him how to play it, while his father, with chewing tobacco in his mouth, taught him to spit out notes like he spit out tobacco. His mother is said to have threatened him with a spanking if he didn't practice.

Severinsen was a natural for the instrument, and at 7 years old he was allowed to join the Arlington high school band. When he was 9 years old, he won a state trumpet contest, and at 13, he joined a multi-state all-star band, and the following year, he auditioned for Tommy Dorsey's band but wasn't selected. He then started a quartet called the Blue Notes that performed at local dances. Before graduating from high school, he was hired to go on the road with the Ted Fio Rito Orchestra.

After he graduated from high school, he went on tour with Charlie Barnet, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman. During World War II he was in the army. After the war, Severinsen played trumpet on The Dalles radio station KODL, and also became a member of Sam Donahue's band where he remained until 1951. In 1949 he was hired by NBC as a studio musician and left the band in 1957. In 1962 he was rehired by the Tonight Show as lead chair for their band, and by 1967 he was leading the orchestra.

When the Elks Came to Town

On Saturday May 16, 1931 everything was ready for the entertainment of the Elks and visitors when they assembled at Arlington that day for the annual spring pilgrimage. Businesses had been decorated, streamers and welcome signs adorned the streets and the town had taken on the air of a convention city. That Saturday was devoted to the reception and registration of Elks and visitors with official headquarters established at the Arlington Hotel.

At 1:15pm, Raymond Crowder, the Arlington newspaper editor, with his clown band, along with Scottish bagpipers from Portland, presented the visitors on the streets of Arlington. At 2pm ceremonies of initiation, under special exemption to the Heppner lodge, were observed at the school gymnasium. The Walla Walla lodge of Elks conferred the degrees. During the initiation the lady visitors were be entertained with bridge games and miniature golf. The local golf course had been retained for the afternoon for the benefit of the ladies. Light refreshments were served at the course

An afternoon bridge party for the entertainment of the ladies had been arranged at the Vendome Hotel. Special dinners prepared at the hotels, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in town so that all the visitors were promptly taken care of. Later that evening a grand public ball with music which was furnished by the Walla Walla Elks 6-piece orchestra, commenced at 8:30pm in the Arlington school gymnasium which was decorated for the event. On Sunday afternoon the Heppner and Arlington baseball teams played a regularly scheduled league game on the Arlington diamond. Everyone had a wonderful time that weekend.

The John Day Dam

In the late 1950's plans were made to construct a new dam on the Columbia river east of Rufus. Construction of the John Day dam began in 1958 and the water that would be held behind the dam formed Lake Umatilla. This new lake would flood most of the town of Arlington. In the mid 1950's the Columbia River Highway between Portland and Umatilla was undergoing improvements and the construction would continue well into the 1960's. In many places an entirely new highway was constructed and one of these sections was between Rufus and Boardman.

The Army Corps of Engineers helped move the town to higher ground. The new central business district was rebuilt on compacted fill on top of its original location. The grade school and many homes were then rebuilt on the surrounding hills. On December 13, 1962 Arlington was beginning to look like a town devastated by an atomic bomb down along the Columbia River Highway. Although farther back up the valley in which the town is situated, construction was giving it an entirely new look. The service stations on the south side of the highway were leveled and the old Vendome Hotel was about to be demolished. The construction planned for the new city was a massive undertaking. 

In anticipation of the new dam, the Columbia River Highway was rebuilt above the future water line. This new 2-lane highway eliminated all the curves and steep grades of the old highway, and years later, another 2 lanes would be added. This new highway section between Arlington and Boardman would become today's Interstate 84. The dam was completed in 1971, and between those towns the old Columbia River Highway would become mostly submerged leaving only remnants of the abandoned road.