Mitchell Point (Oregon) facts for kids
Mitchell Point is a special place in the Columbia River Gorge in Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It's like a big, rocky nose of land that sticks out into the Columbia River. This type of landform is called a cape.
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What is Mitchell Point?
Mitchell Point is a dramatic cliff that hangs over the Columbia River. It's a famous landmark within the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, which is a huge canyon carved by the river. The point offers amazing views of the river and the surrounding landscape.
How Mitchell Point Got Its Name
The name "Mitchell Point" comes from a man named Mitchell. Not much is known about him, but people believe he was a trapper who lived and worked in the area a long time ago. He likely spent his life exploring the wilderness around the point. There have been ideas to change the name to "Storm Crest," but these efforts have not been successful, so it remains Mitchell Point.
The Historic Mitchell Point Tunnel
Mitchell Point was once home to a very famous tunnel called the Mitchell Point Tunnel. This tunnel was a key part of the Historic Columbia River Highway, one of the first scenic highways in the United States. Engineers had to drill right through the solid rock of the point to create a path for cars.
A Tunnel Through the Cliff
The Mitchell Point Tunnel was special because it had five large openings, or "windows," that looked out over the Columbia River. These windows gave travelers incredible views as they drove through the tunnel. It was a true engineering marvel for its time. Sadly, the tunnel was taken down in the 1960s to make way for a bigger highway, Interstate 84. Today, you can still visit the area and see where the tunnel once stood, and parts of the old highway are now walking and biking trails.
Native American Names for the Point
Long before settlers arrived, local Native American tribes had their own names for this area. The part of the rock where the tunnel was built was known to them as "Little Storm King." The much larger mountain above this point was called "Great Storm King." These names show how important and powerful these natural features were to the people who lived there for thousands of years.
