The Ellahurst project was envisioned right along the Columbia River Highway, between the base of the Gorge face and the river. Fortunately it never got off the ground, and eventually Multnomah County designated the area that had been slated for the subdivision as a "geohazard" zone, due to its potential for landslides. The designation proved prophetic in February 1996, when heavy rains and significant warming caused massive mudslides in the area. A nearby house was swept away in the slide, finally coming to rest just a few hundred yards from Interstate 84, where its broken frame still lies atilt today.

Nearly 100 years after the Ellahurst subdivision was planned, the property was still zoned for residential purposes, carrying the risk that it could be logged and developed. In 2005, Friends founder Nancy Russell bought the 1.6-acre parcel that had been coveted for development, and bequeathed the property to Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust.

In 2009, the Forest Service bought the remaining parcels of Ellahurst land. ..."


Source:    Friends of the Columbia Gorge Spring 2011 Newsletter.

"... The battlemented towers of basaltic rock that rise 2,000 feet above the river are the towers of St. Peter's Dome and Cathedral Point. Below them and on the highway is Warrendale where you can visit a fox farm . ..."

"Because road workers re now engaged in moving their equipment to the upper portion of the Columbia River Highway, County Roadmaster Yeon announced yesterday that it will be necessary to close the highway temporarily between the Multnomah County line and Cascade Locks.

The river boats will make stops at the McGowan cannery dock at Dodson, which is along the paved portion of the highway, and shipment of autos to Hood River may be made at that point."


Source:    "The Morning Oregonian", September 13, 1917, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archive, University of Oregon Libraries, 2015.

"To prevent the marriage of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Dodson, aged 76 years, to William Broadback, aged 40, Hiram E. Dodson, aged 46, barricaded his home at Warrendale Monday night and warned Broadback not to enter. Broadback broke down the door, knocked Dodson to the floor and drove him from the house. Broadback held the house against comers until the arrival of Deputy Sherrifs Phillips, Christoferson and Fisherty at midnight.

Broadback was held at the county jail yesterday under bond of $3000, charged with a threat to kill Dodson.

Mrs. Dodson is a pioneer resident of this county, has $15,000 in a Portland bank, owns a ranch of 140 acres at Warrendale, and two fish-wheels on the Columbia River. Broadback has been a laborer about the Dodson farm for two years past.

Broadback came into Portland Monday afternoon and obtained a marriage license for himself and Mrs. Dodson. He also had several drinks of liquor, according to Dodson, and was somewhat under the influence of the intoxicants when he arrived at the home of Mrs. Dodson that night. Upon Dodson's refusal to let him enter he broke open the door and grappled with Dodson.

"I just pushed against the door -- I didn't mean to break in, but I guess I pushed too hard," Broadback told Judge Jones in the District Court yesterday. "Dodson had a six-shooter in his hand and I threw him down to protect myself."

"Do you love this woman 36 years older than you?" Judge Jones asked Broadback.

"I like her; that is, I don't say I dislike her," replied Broadback.

"Do you think you would like her quite so much if she did not have property and money in the bank?" asked the court.

"I don't care for her money." retorted Broadback. "I'd want to marry her just the same if she had none -- at least under the circumstances."

"Under what circumstances?"

"Well, she needs some one to help her. Her son won't work and is not good to her."

Guess I'd better stow you away until you can be tried." said Judge Jones. "You can go to jail or furnish "$3000 bonds." Broadback went to jail.

Dodson brought his mother to court yesterday and may ask that a guardian be appointed for her by Judge Taswell. Mrs. Dodson said she wanted to marry Broadback, saying that he had been good to her and that her son had not. She was examined for her sanity on the complaint of her son, but found to be rational."


Source:    "Morning Oregonian", April 11, 1917, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.

"Your little game might as well be blocked here as anywhere," commented District Judge Jones yesterday, when he ordered William Broadback's hearing on an alleged threat to kill Hiram Dodson continued for one week, when County Judge Tazwell will be asked to appoint a guardian for Mrs. Sarah Dodson aged 76, whom Broadback would marry.

The aged woman has property at Warrendale valued between $10,000 and $15,000 and $15,000 cash in a Portland bank, which Judge Jones declared Broadback had an acquisitive eye upon when he came to Portland Monday and took out a license to wed Mrs. Dodson. Broadback is 40 years old.

"You want to grab what you can of this old lady's property," accused Judge Jones, looking at Broadback. He turned to Mrs. Dodson's son, who is 46. "and you don't want him to get it because you expect to get it yourself some day. This case will be continued until an arrangement can be made by the County Court whereby this woman's property will be protected from both of you. ..."


Source:    "Morning Oregonian", April 12, 1917, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.