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East Portal, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Mosier Twin Tunnels ...
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The "Twin Tunnels" of
Mosier were a part of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Engineered by John A. Elliot and constructed between 1919 and 1921, the tunnels were closed in 1955 with the completion of Interstate 84 following the banks of the Columbia River. Originally the tunnels were 17 feet wide but with the advent of larger cars they were widened to 20 feet. The Tunnels were closed in 1955 because of safety issues. With help of Senator Mark Hatfield, the twin tunnels were re-opened in July 2000 for bicycle and foot traffic, and are now part of a 4.6-mile-long
"Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail". The Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead is near Hood River and the Mark O. Hatfield East Trailhead is outside of Mosier. The tunnels themselves are located on the trail closer to Mosier.
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Click image to enlarge
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East Portal, Mosier Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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East Portal, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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East Portal, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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East Portal, Mosier Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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In 1940 ...
From the Oregon State Archives "A 1940 Journey Across Oregon":
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"MOSIER, 118.1 m. (95 alt., 192 pop.), at the confluence of Mosier Creek
and the Columbia River, is in a small fruit growing section well known for
its apple cider. The MOSIER TUNNELS, 119.5 m., one 261 feet and the other
60 feet long, often referred to as the Twin Tunnels, penetrate a
promontory more than 250 feet above the river. West of this point the
contrast between the barren, semi desert contours of eastern Oregon and
the lushness of the Pacific Slope becomes apparent.
"
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Stonework ...
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Stonework, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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Stonework, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Catchment Structure ...
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The restoration of the Mosier Twin Tunnels involved removal of the rock
which had filled the tunnels, and the construction
of a 700-foot-long "catchment structure"
on the west end of the tunnels that utilizes
cellular concrete, pea gravel and 25 foot anchor
bars.
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Catchment Structure, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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Catchment Structure, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Outside Walkway ...
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Outside Stairs and Walkway, Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Through the Tunnels ...
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Mosier Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Click image to enlarge
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East Portal, Mosier Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
View along east part of the trail, between Mosier and the Twin Tunnels.
Image taken September 18, 2005.
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"The Golden Age of Postcards" ...
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The early 1900s was the "Golden Age of Postcards". The "Penny Postcard" became a popular way to send greetings to friends and family. Today the "Penny Postcard" has become an image of history.
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Penny Postcard: Mosier Twin Tunnels, Mosier, Oregon, ca.1941.
Penny Postcard, Postmarked 1941, "Twin Tunnels on Columbia River Highway Between Hood River & Mosier, Ore.". Published by The Portland Post Card Co., Portland, Oregon. Published by Pacific Novelty Co., San Francisco. In the private collection of Lyn Topinka.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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