Columbia Gorge Hotel, historic hotel in Hood River, Oregon, USA
The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a historic hotel in Hood River built in Spanish Colonial Revival style and situated on grounds overlooking the Columbia River. The building features red tile roofing, white stucco walls, and rounded arches that define its exterior and create a warm, inviting appearance.
The hotel was built in 1921 by Simon Benson and replaced an older building called the Wah Gwin Gwin Hotel that had stood on the same site since 1904. Over the decades, the hotel changed ownership multiple times, served as a retirement home for a period, and was reopened in 1979 following major renovations.
The hotel takes its name from its location near the Columbia River Gorge. The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is visible today in the red tile roof, white stucco walls, and curved arches that define the building and set it apart from other structures in the area.
The hotel sits on elevated grounds above the Columbia River and provides easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and water sports in the Hood River area. The grounds feature gardens and outdoor seating areas where guests can enjoy the view and explore the surroundings.
The hotel served for a time as home for Neighbors of Woodcraft, a nonprofit organization supporting older people that had been active in Oregon since 1905. This transition shows how the building adapted to new purposes while preserving its original charm and architectural character.
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