"... Sam Barlow, in the summer of 1845 arrived in The Dalles, Oregon from Missouri. He discovered another hazardous portion of the Oregon Trail. The Columbia River! This river must either be crossed twice or rafted down at exorbitant prices. He learned that he could follow an old Indian Trail around the south side of Mount Hood, a route that had not been used by fellow immigrants. The initial Barlow Road was used early in 1846, and was 80 to 90 miles in length. During the first year 145 wagons arrived by this new route, bringing to Oregon, and Sandy, nearly a thousand settlers with their droves of horses and cattle. About the best that could be said for improvements to it were the Laurel Hill section, with its 60% drop, was eliminated with switchbacks, and Mr. Revenue put a bridge over the Sandy River, and fording areas were improved. Railroads to California in the 1870's and then to Oregon in the 1880's eliminated most of the travel over the Barlow Road. ..." [Oregon Historical Society Website, 2009]

According to the U.S. National Park Service (2009):

"... In 1845, 53 year old Samuel K. Barlow of Illinois arrived at The Dalles. He became very disgruntled at the high tolls being charged to transport emigrants down the Columbia. He was also very concerned about the extreme hazards of the trip. Barlow scouted out a wagon road around the south side of Mt. Hood, which he began operating as a toll road in 1846. It was a very rough road, with trees and rocks making the journey even more difficult.

The Barlow Road was the last overland segment of the Oregon Trail before reaching the Willamette Valley. This road provided an alternative to the dangerous and expensive route that used rafts to transport wagons down the Columbia River. But it was not free. The Barlow Road was the first place on the 2,100 mile Oregon Trail where tolls were charged. When the road opened in 1846, tolls were $5.00 per wagon and 10 cents for every head of livestock. Five dollars was about one week's wages, but consider the alternative -- floating down the Columbia River in boats or rafts cost nearly $50.00! By 1863, tolls had changed to $2.50 per wagon and team, 75 cents for horse and rider, and 10 cents for other livestock.

The Barlow Road operated under many owners as a toll road from 1846 to 1919. There were no tolls after 1919 when the estate of the final owner deeded the road to the State of Oregon. ..."