Tollgate, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tollgate, Oregon
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Downtown Tollgate
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Location of Tollgate, Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Umatilla |
| Elevation | 4,879 ft (1,487 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
97886
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1116542 |
Tollgate is an unincorporated community in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. It's a small place that doesn't have its own city government. Tollgate is located high up in the Blue Mountains, between the towns of Weston and Elgin on Oregon Route 204. It's known for its beautiful natural surroundings and outdoor activities.
Contents
The History of Tollgate
Early Settlers and the First Toll Road
The area where Tollgate is today was first settled by a man named David J. Woodward. He was one of the first people to build a home there. Woodward later helped start a company called the Summerville and Walla Walla Road Co.
He bought land near the start of Lookingglass Creek. This creek was later dammed in 1922 to create Langdon Lake. A road that connected the cities of Milton and Walla Walla, Washington to Summerville and the Grande Ronde Valley passed right through Woodward's property.
How Tollgate Got Its Name
To make money from the road, Woodward put a special gate across it. This was a "toll gate," and travelers had to pay a fee to pass through. This road was very important for farmers. They used it to move their crops and products from Union County to Umatilla County and Walla Walla County. This is how the community got its name, Tollgate!
Building a New Highway
By 1915, Umatilla County and other nearby counties wanted to make the toll road better. They formed a group called the Blue Mountain Highway Association. Their main goals were to cover the road with gravel and to stop charging people to use it.
Woodward didn't want to get rid of his toll gate. So, the committee decided to build a completely new road that would go around his land. This new road was finished in 1922. It was called the Weston-Elgin Highway. Today, this road is known as Oregon Route 204, and it still passes by Langdon Lake.
Mail Services in Tollgate
In 1940, Tollgate got its own post office. This was a big help for the community, as people could send and receive mail right there. The post office served the area for 14 years, closing in 1954. Today, mail for the Tollgate community is handled by the post office in Weston.
Things to Do in Tollgate
Tollgate is a great place for outdoor fun, especially in winter.
- The Spout Springs Ski Area is located here, where you can go skiing and snowboarding.
- You can also visit Andes Prairie. This is the only place in the Blue Mountains specifically set aside for sledding and winter camping.
- Langdon Lake is a beautiful private lake in the area. It has limited public access, but it's an important part of the local landscape.
Famous People from Tollgate
- Gordon Smith - He was a U.S. Senator who represented the state of Oregon in the national government.
Helpful Links
- Tollgate Trail Finders Snowmobile Club
- Jubilee Lake and Campground (USFS)
