Guy W. Talbot State Park

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

The GUY W. TALBOT PARK, 165.1 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction]. is a 125 acre wooded tract overlooking the Columbia.

1946 State Parks Report: Guy W. Talbot State Park

The Guy W. Talbot State Park, which Crown Point Park adjoins on the west side, is entered at Mile Post 26.18. It is described as being in Section 29, Township 1 North of Range 5 East W.M., in Multnomah County, containing 125 acres.

This park area, with its dwellings, out buildings and water system, was a gift to the State of Oregon by Guy W. Talbot and Geraldine W. Talbot, his wife, by deed dated March 9, 1929. The deed has two clauses excepting certain grants for right of way purposes. It was the first tract in Multnomah County to be obtained for a State Park.

The caretaker's dwelling and other buildings are just below the highway and to the right of the approach road that leads to the picnic area and adjoining hamlet of Latourell, which boasts a post office, small store and a railroad station. Below the caretaker's quarters is an open grass plot of two acres, more or less, in which a number of Port Orford cedars have been planted. These were set out some ten years ago and are making a splendid growth, indicating their possibilities for reforestation purposes in this locality, where they have so readily adapted themselves to the soil and climate. To the eastward is the picnic area, in a carefully thinned grove of tall and straight Douglas firs, liberally interspersed with Broad-leaf maples, rising above an open, grassed surface, free of undergrowth. Water is piped to the grounds, there are fireplaces for cooking, benched tables for serving meals and the usual sanitary facilities, all in clean, attractive surroundings. The park is popular with Portland groups for week end outings.

The greater park acreage is on the rising ground south of the highway. These upper and lower portions, separated by the highway, are connected by a well constructed, overhead footbridge, from which a trail ascends to the water supply source. The old county road which leaves the loops just below Mile Post 25, passes through a delightful area of open grass land, beside a picturesque, cliff sided point of rock, that offers a pleasing secluded retreat for ground picnics. This old road was a unit of the once Dalles-Sandy Military Road, the route of early pioneers, From here it descends to the park area and railroad station.

The outstanding scenic feature of Talbot Park is Latourell Fall, on the creek of this name. Joseph Latourell, whose name attaches to several local features, was a pioneer settler.

The Latourell fall is the first of the series of beautiful water-falls to be seen along, or adjacent, to the highway going from west to east. Like water from a pitcher, it pours over the lop of the basalt cliff, dropping 249 feet, practically to the level of the highway, from which this smooth column of water is clearly visible, In peace times all the highway stages paused a few minutes to afford passengers an opportunity to view them. A second fall, with a drop of about fifteen feet, rises a short distance up stream from the top of the main one.

A switch-back trail ascends the slope east of the creek, crosses it at the head of the lesser fall, and circulates out to a rock point which affords a fine view of the river and its opposite shore, then reverses itself and soon connects with the park water supply trail, a short distance westward; making a very interesting walk for those who do not mind a bit of climbing.

The records show that detachments of CCC forces worked part time in Talbot Park during the second period, October 1933 to April 1934, the third period; April to October 1934 and the fifth period, April to October 1935.

In these periods the accomplishments were one rustic foot bridge, fourteen rods of guard rail, four fireplaces for cooking, thirteen table and bench combinations; nine tenths of a mile of difficult forest trail one mile of firebreak, three quarter of a mile of roadside fire reduction, three acres of other fire hazard reduction and one mile of lineal survey. Other trail work was done by state park forces.

W. A. Langille

State Parks Historian

December 5, 1945

Recommendations:

Additional picnic tables should be provided. One three-stove kitchen should be constructed with electric plates to take the place of stoves now in place. A parking area should have consideration as a part of a street is now being used, An additional thirty-acre tract on the east side of Latourell Creek and south of the highway is needed for protection of the park. The land is located in the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 5 East. I had its purchase before the commission for $3500.00 but was turned down. This land is absolutely necessary for the protection and completion of the park. A new trail bridge leading from the park to the highway should be constructed.

S. H. Boardman

State Parks Superintendent

March 25, 1946

Robert W. Hadlow, Columbia River Highway Historic District, National Historic Landmark Nomination

The Guy Talbot State Park is located along both sides of the CRH. It began with a 125-acre gift from Guy W. and Geraldine W. Talbot to the state of Oregon, and is noted as the first state park in Multnomah County. Subsequently, the park grew to just over 371 acres. The NHL district includes a 13.0-acre portion of the Guy W. Talbot State Park at the Latourell Creek Bridge, on the CRH, along with the streambed there and the falls.

It includes Latourell Falls, a 249-foot cascade directly south of the CRH on Latourell Creek. The falls takes its name from the family who lived in the area and the town to the north. The boundaries for this historic developed area are within the larger NHL district and are the same as those included in the existing NR historic district for the CRH.

Oregon State Parks: Guy W. Talbot State Park

Guy Webster and Geraldine Talbot gave the original 125 acres in 1929. Guy W. Talbot (1873-1961) was president of Pacific Power and Light Company and lived on the tract at the time of the gift. Multnomah County gave additional land in 1935, and sold further acreage to the state in 1952. Lands also were given by the Eva Larson Estate. The balance of the property was purchased from various owners up to 1984. Some of the park's early development was carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1935.

Acreage: 378.44

Annual day use attendance: 42,972

Guy Webster Talbot and his family used this property as a summer estate until 1929 when they donated it to the state. Today, it's a beautiful picnic park. A modern picnic shelter is available for rent (and is reservable). While the park is terrific for a group or family picnic, the park is often uncrowded even on the best days because of its seclusion. A gently sloping grassy hill dotted with Port Orford cedars, Douglas firs, alders and maples invites frisbee tossing and quiet relaxation.

The tiny town of Latourell borders the north side of the park. Homeowners ask that visitors please respect their privacy. A trail underneath the Historic Columbia River Highway bridge leads directly to Latourelle Falls (250' tall), only a few minutes away by foot.

Robert W. Hadlow, Columbia River Highway Historic District, National Historic Landmark Nomination

NCO1. Object: Guy W. Talbot State Park Plaque

Location: HMP 26.1

Date: 1939

Designer: Unknown

Owner: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

The large bronze plaque was erected on the north side of the CRH and reads:

Guy Webster Talbot

Gave Latourell falls and this park

To the People of Oregon

in 1914 and 1929

Erected in his honor

By Members of the birthday club

Member names were listed below the legend.

"In 1929, Latourell Falls and the surrounding area were given to the State of Oregon by the Guy W. Talbot family, which gift formed Talbot State Park. After I-80 (now I-84) opened, by-passing Latourell, tourist traffic on the Columbia River Highway declined precipitously. After the State of Oregon purchased the Latourell Falls Villa in 1959, it razed the landmark and added the land to Talbot State park. Today the former vibrant community of Latourell is quiet, there are no business establishments and few residents compared to its earlier years."

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