1946 State Parks Report: Ainsworth State Park

Ainsworth State Park entered at Mile Post 35.20 is the next one eastward. Practically of all of this tract lies above the highway, with the highway and railroad rights-of-way clipping off a small triangle at the northwest corner, It is described as being in Section 3, Township 1 North of Range 6 East, W.M., in Multnomah County, Oregon containing forty acres. This area was a gift to the State of Oregon by the late J. C. Ainsworth, and Alice H. Ainsworth, his wife, by deed dated July 29, 1933.

The tract is well wooded, rising with a moderate slope near the highway, which increases in steepness in its southward ascent. Its special feature is a splendid, very cold, free flowing spring which wells from the hillside, below the highway surface level. To make this excellent supply of pure water available to the public, space was excavated for the installation of a concrete basin, with surrounding floor space, easily reached by a few downward concrete steps.

An old railroad grade at one time covered the spring, and a short distance westward, this has been widened to provide a limited parking space and a small, but very pleasant picnic area, where a table or two and a stove have been set up for public use in a bower of cool shady alders.

The wooded area above the spring has been cleaned up and is a delightful restful place for anyone who enjoys the quiet peace of a pleasant, secluded forest.

The wooded area above the spring has been cleaned up and is a delightful restful place for anyone who enjoys the quiet peach of a pleasant, secluded forest

The picnic area facilities, fire breaks, fire hazard reduction along the road and trail sides, campground clearing and lineal survey were all done by CCC forces in the second, third and fifth periods, in 1933-34 and 35. The water installation was also by CCC forces.

W. A. Langille

State Parks Historian

December 5, 1945

Recommendations:

This is a wayside and possibly a few more tables might be added. Search should be made for a hillside contact of the spring developed by the wayside. If found, a fountain could be constructed at highway level, and the present spring development abandoned.

S. H. Boardman

State Parks Superintendent

March 25, 1946

Chester H. Armstrong, HISTORY OF THE OREGON STATE PARKS: 1917-1963

The original portion of Ainsworth State Park, a 40-acre tract, was donated to the state by J. C. and Alice H. Ainsworth of Portland. The Highway Commission accepted the generous gift on August 8, 1933. Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth thought that this area would serve the traveler as a place to rest and leisurely examine the flora of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. It has served that purpose for many years past and will continue for many years to come.

Logging operations were started in 1946 on some adjoining land to the east of the park. This served as an impetus for acquisition of a 6-acre tract lying between the original tract and the highway. This parcel contained a good stand of fir timber and it was deemed necessary as a part of the park. It was purchased from Joseph A. Bucher on May 6, 1947. At the close of 1963 a total of 46 acres comprised the park.

Ainsworth Park was named to honor the donors. It is a beautifully timbered area adjoining the original Columbia River Scenic Highway right of way about one-half mile west from Dodson in Multnomah County. On the area and near the highway is a good spring which was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps with elaborate stone work, steps and a fountain. Tables were placed nearby and trails provided throughout the area.

The land is an alluvial fan formed by debris from the canyon wall. It rises upward on a gentle slope to the south beyond the park limits to the base of the canyon wall.

Attendance during 1962 totaled 54,990 day visitors. No count was made in 1963.

Oregon State Parks: Ainsworth State Park

A tract of 40 acres was donated in 1933 by John C. Ainsworth and his wife, Alice. Additional land was purchased in 1947 and 1966. Original picnic facilities and trails were constructed in 1935 by Civilian Conservation Corps workers. John Churchill Ainsworth (1870-1943) was a prominent Oregon businessman and banker (U. S. National Bank) in Portland. He served as chairman of the State Highway Commission 1931-1932 and was the son of Captain J. C. Ainsworth, pioneer steam-boatman and founder of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company.

Acreage: 179.78

Annual overnight attendance: 22,496

Ainsworth Wayside

Ainsworth Fountain

"The water fountain in this stretch is operational during the summer."

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

CO2. Object: Masonry Drinking Fountain

Location: Near HMP 35.5

Date: 1920s

Designer: Oregon State Highway Department

Builder; Unknown

Owner: Oregon Department of Transportation

This semi-circular masonry trough and faucet provided water for visitors and their vehicles. It was part of a fountain construction project conducted along many Oregon state highways in the 1920s.

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