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Upstream on the Columbia River as seen from end of Paterson Ferry Road, Oregon.
Image taken September 24, 2005.
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Paterson Ferry and Paterson Ferry Road ...
Paterson Ferry in 1922 ...
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Best Route to Yakima Given.
"The best route into the Yakima country now is via Paterson ... the motorist ferrying the Columbia river near Irrigon. There are two approaches to the ferry landing from the Columbia river highway but the one branching off from Irrigon is reported to be the best. This brings the motorist into the Yakima valley at Prosser. ...
The route from Maryhill to Goldendale is now open, but beyond Goldendale the road is in only fair shape. The best way to go to Maryhill is to ferry at Biggs."
Source:
"Sunday Oregonian", April 9, 1922, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2016.
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Paterson Ferry in 1940 ...
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From the Oregon State Archives "A 1940 Journey Across Oregon":
"... IRRIGON, 8 m. (297 alt., 65 pop.), on the site of old Grande Ronde Landing, a former stopping place for travelers, derives its name and sustenance from the irrigation district of which it is the center. An experiment farm nearby demonstrates the agricultural possibilities of the rich soil.
At 11.2 m. is a junction with a side road.
Right on this road to PATTERSON FERRY, 1 m. (toll for cars and five persons, $1; round trip, $1.50) connecting with US 410 at Prosser, Washington.
On a slight knoll (R) at 19.7 m. is a mounted specimen of Indian picture writing. The engraved boulder was found on the bank of the Columbia River a few miles east of its present location...."
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Paterson Ferry in 1951 ...
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"... The privately owned ferry at Umatilla carried 178,576 vehicles in 1951. The high number of vehicles was due to the closure of U.S. Highway No. 730 above McNary Dam. The equipment for the ferry consisted of two unpowered steel barges that were propelled by light tug boats, the first with a capcity for 14 passenger autos, the second with a capacity for 11 passenger autos. The Paterson ferry on the Washington shore was
also privately owned, and carried 146,498 vehicles in 1951. The equipment for this ferry consisted of three unpowered barges, propelled by light tug boats, with capacities for 8 and 12 passenger autos. Both ferries operated without a schedule according to traffic needs. The crossing time was about five minutes with a ten minute average wait. Both ferries went out of business when the Umatilla Bridge was built. ..."
Source:
Center for Columbia River History website (2005), adapted from Report on A Proposed Highway Bridge Across the Columbia River At Umatilla, Oregon for Umatilla County, Oregon, Benton County, Washington (Oregon Highway Commission, Washington Toll Bridge Authority, September, 1952).
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Paterson Ferry Road, Oregon ...
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Paterson Ferry Road runs north/south and once led to the long-gone Paterson Ferry. Today it leads to a grain elevator, a boat ramp, and the Irrigon Fish Hatchery. Paterson Ferry Road meets the Columbia River at River Mile (RM) 278.5, approximately three miles west of Irrigon.
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Columbia River near Paterson Ferry Road, downstream of Irrigon, Oregon.
Image taken September 24, 2005.
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Grain Elevator, downstream of Irrigon, Oregon.
View from end of Paterson Ferry Road.
Image taken September 24, 2005.
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- Umatilla Fish Hatchery ...
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Umatilla Fish Hatchery ...
The Umatilla Fish Hatchery began operation in 1991 and is used for egg incubation and the rearing of spring chinook, fall chinook, and summer steelhead. It rears a portion of its fish in unique ponds called "Michigan Ponds". The hatchery is located along the Paterson Ferry Road.
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Umatilla Fish Hatchery, downstream of Irrigon, Oregon.
Image taken September 24, 2005.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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