Mayer State Park is part of an area known as Rowena Heights. It is located on Interstate Highway 80N, approximately 10 miles west of the city of The Dalles in Wasco County.

The first land acquired for Mayer Park was 260 acres given to the state by Mark A. Mayer in April, 1924. Negotiations were started as early as 1921 by Mr. Mayer to purchase land to be donated to the state for use as a park. He had difficulty in obtaining a part of the land he had selected, as the owner was holding out for an exorbitantly fantastic price, he claimed. However, late in 1921 the Highway Commission sanctioned a proposal of a condemnation suit through the Wasco County Court, which followed and favored Mr. Mayer. This culminated a very unusual transaction in order to enable Mr. Mayer to donate 260 acres of land to the state for park use.

There have been other acquisitions of small acreages for this park, such as two areas totaling 8.3 acres located on the north side of the railroad in 1952 and 1956 at a total cost of $2,872, and another 40-acre tract in 1961 at a cost of $26,570. These transactions brought the total area to 308.30 acres as of the close of 1963.

In general, the area is quite rough with a great difference in elevation between the land near the river and that on top of Rowena Point. The cover is scattered ponderosa pine and oak with indigenous brush as an undercover.

The park development is located on an arm of Bonneville Lake north of the Union Pacific Railroad Company track. It consists of a swimming area, boat ramp 40 x 55 feet, picnic tables, stoves, sanitary facilities and water. Entrance is via Lyle Ferry Road.

Day use at Mayer in 1963 totaled 74,728 visitors. Overnight camping facilities have not been provided."


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