Crown Point State
Scenic Corridor
Millions of visitors driving from Portland through the
Columbia River Gorge don't realize the full impact of its
beauty until they come around the bend near Corbett at exit 22
and see the famous building on the top of the cliff to the
right. This is Crown Point and the building is the Vista
House.
Just as the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, the
Vista House serves as the symbol of the Columbia River Gorge.
In fact, the architect of the Vista House -- Edgar Lazarus --
and Emma Lazarus (who wrote the poem of the Statue of
Liberty), were brother and sister.
The Vista House was built in 1916 at the same time as Highway
30 (what is now the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, and
the only way to reach Crown Point). The building was designed
to be a place of refreshment and enjoyment of the Columbia
Gorge. The octagonal building with its copper dome now houses
a museum, gift shop and interpretive display of historic and
geologic points of interest in the Gorge (the building is open
from March-October).
It has survived many years wear and tear from millions of
visitors and pounding gales of the east wind (sometimes
measured here at 110 mph), but the structure has suffered
significant damage. The future of the Vista House is now in
the hands of the Oregon State Parks Trust and Friends of the
Vista House, who are trying to raise over $2 million for a
long-overdue restoration.
Services and Things to Do
- Picnicking
- Special events
- Celebrations
- Music
- Interpretive events
- Rock formations
- Mountains
- Canyons
- Historic resources
- Historic buildings
- Historic sites
- Museums
- Living history
- Historic signs
- Historic displays
- Interpretation
- Interpretive tours
- Interpretive signs
- Interpretive displays
- Nature/Visitor center
- Interpretive store
- Restrooms
Get driving directions to this park
There is no fee to use this park.
For information, call 1-800-551-6949 or (503) 695-2261.
Information provided by
Oregon State
Parks
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Historic Columbia River Highway, 11 mi. E of Troutdale. From
Interstate 84, take Exit 17 or 22 and head east on Historic
Highway 30. From the east, take Exit 35 and follow the highway
west.