Herman Creek Ranger Station & Campground

Herman Lake Ranger Station

Columbia Gorge Ranger Station

Columbia Gorge Work Center

1916 Map - Eagle Creek to Herman Creek The Sunday Oregonian - July 16, 1916: Beautiful Columbia Gorge Park Soon To Be Accessible To Autoshttp://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83045782/1916-07-16/ed-1/seq-52/

In 1916, this appears to have been called the Herman Lake Ranger Station. In 1940, it appear to have been called the Columbia Gorge Ranger Station. Today, while it is still a USFS facility, the ranger facility (the Columbia Gorge Work Center) is no longer open to the public. However, it is the site of the Herman Creek Campground...

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

COLUMBIA GORGE RANGER STATION,142.8 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction], is the headquarters of the MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST.

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/across/thedalles.html

The Forest Service and The Civilian Conservation Corps: 1933-42

The Columbia Gorge District Ranger Station, initially called the Herman Creek Ranger Station, was used as a Forest Service administration site much earlier than the CCC period. Additions and improvements were made by the CCC to the Summit Meadows CCC Camp in the 1930's. After these improvements, the ranger station's name was changed.

In 1935, plans were made to add a warehouse, a gas and oil house, and a barn. The barn was to have been located in an orchard beyond the ranger station. Because of the site's proximity to the highway and railroad, problems occurred.

In October 1935, F.W. Cleator, a recreation site examiner for Mount Hood National Forest, suggested that the entire ranger station be moved, because of loud noise, lack of light, and unsuitable access. Because funds were not available to purchase land for a new site, the ranger station was not moved, and the new warehouse and gas house were built at the existing site.

The only remaining CCC-built structures at the Columbia Gorge Ranger Station are the warehouse and gas house. A residence building constructed in the 1920's also remains. The site is now used as a work center by the ranger district. ... An impressive rock wall was constructed along one edge of the site.

Otis, et.al., 1986, "The Forest Service and The Civilian Conservation Corps: 1933-42, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, FS-395, August 1986, Chapter 14, Mount Hood National Forest; Qtd. Topinka, http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/herman_creek.html Accessed May 13, 2020

Route 2 ran along the other side of the fence through here, visible in the photo below. My car, actually, would be parked on the old road... There's some interesting waterworks buried in the brush at the creek to the west of here and a lot neat, old stonework in the area.