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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Enrolled
Senate Concurrent Resolution 21
Sponsored by Senator BONHAM (at the request of Chris Willis, General Manager, Multnomah Falls,
Co., Inc.)
Whereas the spectacularly beautiful Columbia River Gorge, formed by ancient volcanoes and
sculpted by massive floods, is an impressive corridor for the mighty river as it flows through the
Cascade Mountains on its way to the Pacific Ocean; and
Whereas stretching for 85 miles through this jaw-dropping natural splendor is the Columbia
River Gorge National Scenic Area; and
Whereas at the heart of the scenic area is magnificent Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s tallest
waterfall, which drops 620 feet from the cliffs above the Historic Columbia River Highway; and
Whereas in the early 1900s, land around Multnomah Falls was donated to the City of Portland
by lumber baron and philanthropist Simon Benson, and further donations were made by the
Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company under the condition that the city would fund
construction of a lodge for visitors; and
Whereas the city commissioned design of the lodge to famed architect Albert E. Doyle, who also
designed many other landmark Portland buildings; and
Whereas in 1925, construction on Multnomah Falls Lodge was completed, and the facility was
opened to the public with great fanfare; and
Whereas the lodge was constructed by the Shattuck Company for $40,000 (equivalent to roughly
$700,000 in 2025) in the Cascadian style, using timber and every type of rock naturally found in the
Columbia River Gorge; and
Whereas the lodge originally had dormitories and rooms for overnight stays; and
Whereas several significant remodels and additions have occurred over the decades, and the
lodge currently offers visitors a restaurant, interpretive center, gift shop, snack bar and other ser-
vices; and
Whereas ownership of Multnomah Falls Lodge was transferred from the City of Portland to the
United States Forest Service in 1939; and
Whereas the lodge was closed during World War II from November 1942 until February 1946;
and
Whereas the lodge has escaped numerous natural disasters, including floods, rock falls, land-
slides and fires, most recently the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017; and
Whereas in 1981, Multnomah Falls Lodge and the surrounding footpaths were added to the Na-
tional Register of Historic Places; and
Whereas Multnomah Falls and its iconic lodge attract millions of visitors each year from all
over the world, making it the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest; and
Whereas Multnomah Falls Lodge is a true Oregon treasure; and
Whereas Multnomah Falls Lodge is set to launch another century as a historic landmark that
showcases the beauty, history and spirit of adventure of the Columbia River Gorge; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
That we, the members of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, commemorate the 100th anni-
versary of historic and iconic Multnomah Falls Lodge; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage all Oregonians to join us in late September 2025 to celebrate this
significant public milestone.
Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 (SCR 21-INTRO) Page 1
Adopted by Senate April 10, 2025
Obadiah Rutledge, Secretary of Senate
Rob Wagner, President of Senate
Adopted by House May 14, 2025
Julie Fahey, Speaker of House
Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 (SCR 21-INTRO) Page 2