The fountains have bubblers for drinking, and a pool from which water for filling radiators may be dipped. ...

The water used is from live springs and is tested by the State to ascertain its suitablility for drinking before the erection of a fountain ...   ample parking space is provided so that cars may be parked off the highway. ...

At present there are some 30 fountains along the Oregon highways, and additional ones are placed wherever suitable conditions are found. The construction of these fountains by the Oregon State Highway Commission is in line with their policy of developing the scenic features of the highways of the State."


Source:    T.M. Davis, 1930, Highway Engineer, U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, "Drinking Fountains Along Oregon Highways", IN: "Public Roads", April 1930.

"Ainsworth State Park entered at Mile Post 35.20 is the next one eastward. Practically 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 picnic area facilities, fire breaks, fire hazard reduction along the road and trail sides, camp ground 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."

Signed:
W.A. Langille, State Parks Historian.

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."

Signed:
S.H. Boardman, State Parks Superintendent, March 25, 1946.


Source:    W.A. Langille and S.H. Boardman, 1946, State Parks Historical Sketches: Columbia Gorge State Parks, courtesy of Oregon State Archives website, 2014.

"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.."


Source:    Chester H. Armstrong (compiler), 1965, "History of the Oregon State Parks: 1917-1963, published by Oregon State Parks.