CB

CHAMBER BUILDING CELEBRATING 100 YEARS • 1921-2021

2194 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens Across from Emmert Motors Join the S. Columbia County Chamber of Commerce For a Family Friendly

Roaring 20s Inspired Gala Event Grayline Pink Trolley Travels Uptown to Downtown Chamber Merchant’s Gift Shop & Bazaar e the It’s sure to b Merchant Social Hour 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Columbia County Veterans Posting of the Flags • National Anthem by Ellie Wieneke • Historical Speaker • Community Leaders • Larry Jackson Big River Big Band • Historical Photo Gallery • Historical Walking Tour • Showcasing Industry • 1920’s Fashion Show • $100.00 Box Buy Chance • Food & Beverage for Purchase • Community Time Capsule 2026 • Street Characters

Talk of the Town

Events subject to change without notice. Photo courtesy of Sentinel-Mist/Brownlow Family Collection

The St. Helens Railway Station has been bringing people into our community since it first opened in October of 1921. That hustle and bustle is evident in the above photo from the CCMA’s Sentinel-Mist/ Brownlow Family Collection. That tradition has continued for nearly a century, most recently by serving as the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce where it helps to build a healthy economy and improve life in our community. We invite you to celebrate as this historic building turns 100!

Keepsake edition

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

100-year celebration Get involved today! We are rebuilding the St. Helens Main Street Alliance in partnership with local government and community partners.

We are currently recruiting Board Members & volunteers who love St. Helens!

From our uptown train station to our downtown historic riverfront the St. Helens Main Street Alliance follows the Main Street Approach™ to revitalize St. Helens’ historic business districts.

The St. Helens Main Street Alliance is working to enhance the vibrancy of St. Helens and help property and business owners in partnership with other nonprofits, service clubs, community volunteers and local governments.

Activities include: local celebrations, shop local promotions, grant programs.

Organization • Promotion • Design • Economic Vitality Contact: 503.366.8232 sthelensmainstreet@gmail.com

ALEX TARDIFF South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board President

On September 18th the Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 100-year celebration to honor the history of our building, the Old Train Depot. The Chamber is excited to be hosting a community event that highlights our business district, our history, and provides an opportunity to connect.

If we have learned anything over the last year it is that our small businesses are important, and we need to support them. This last year has tested and tried so many.

Some businesses have been lost, others have maintained, and a few have grown.

Even the Chamber has struggled to move during the pandemic. After the Chamber’s entire Board of Directors, as well as its executive

director, all stepped down at the start of the pandemic, a new board was formed. The board’s goal is to connect, preserve, grow, and foster the business community.

Fortunately the new board’s innovative ideas have helped sustain it, and allows it to continue to serve the business community. While we look different and act different, our main priority is still the same: to serve the business community. We offer memberships that provide for marketing, networking, and business resources. The chamber is committed to supporting the business community in every way possible.

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with other local organizations, including St. Helens Main Street, Keep it Local, The Chronicle, and the City of St. Helens to bring together this fun and business oriented

event. In the character of representing the old train depot on it’s 100th birthday, we have arranged for free trolly rides up and down the Main Street district. Stops along the way highlight local businesses and history of the area. Volunteers will be dressed up in 1920’s fashion, and we encourage visitors to dress up, too!

Please join us on September 18th to celebrate the business community and support them as we all look forward and move forward to create a strong, vibrant business community in South County. Local business is the backbone of local economies.

Help your local economy thrive by making a stop in a local business.

Be well, Alex Tardif South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board President

Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

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’Talk of the Town’ Sept. 18 JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The community is invited to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the St. Helens railroad station, now known as the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce building at 2194 Columbia Boulevard.

The celebration set for Sept. 18, is being called “Talk of the Town,” with a roaring 20’s theme.

South Columbia County Chamber representative Judy Thompson said the building’s 100-year anniversary presents the perfect opportunity to bring awareness to the rich history of the community’s development.

The building was constructed in 1921 as a railway station for freight shipping and passenger transport and provided an Astoria to Portland route.

“Close your eyes for a moment and see if you can visualize the hustle and bustle of commerce and passenger transportation of times past,” Thompson said.

“Surely the railway station was the hub of our community. Not every town has a 100-year-old railway station still standing faithfully as the first building one sees that welcomes visitors and those that call St. Helens home.

According to Thompson, with industrial growth and expansion of railway services passenger transportation ended in 1952 at the railway station and the station closed in 1997. The structure was than transformed into the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson said that over the past several months, sponsors, businesses, volunteers, and other community organizations quickly joined

the celebration planning with no lack of enthusiasm and creativity.

“To help our community recognize and appreciate the past history of this building, Columbia County Museum Association’s knowledge and resources of the past will help our community better understand the value of our community’s development and how this railway station building is so relevant to past, present and future,” Thompson said.

The celebration begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 with Columbia County veterans posting the flags, Pledge Allegiance to the Flag with National Anthem, followed by community speakers.

Period music will be provided by the Larry Jackson Big River Big Band with Ellie Wieneke. Also performing will be Ukulele Orchestra.

Vintage cars, motorcy-

cles, and industrial vehicles will be on display.

The Columbia County Museum Association has created amazing photos on poster boards that reference the railway station and buildings from decades past,” Thompson said.

The museum will also provide a guided walking tour of the uptown Houlton District.

“This uptown part of our town has many buildings decades old that hold the hopes and dreams of merchants past and present,” Thompson said.

South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Merchant Gift Shop will be open for shoppers. InRoads Credit Union will provide a photo booth for memorial pictures.

An early evening merchant social hour is also planned for business folks to network.

The Portland Pink Grayline open-sided trolley will

offer free passenger rides from uptown to downtown with trolley stops along the way, offering an on board conductor to speak of times past.

Thompson encourages trolley passengers to get off at trolley stops and enjoy what merchants have prepared.

“The Railway Station Centennial Celebration is happening because of generous sponsors, business people giving of their time and talents, volunteers, and organizations that will create awareness as to how special this 1921 railway station is to our community and our country,” Thompson said. “Perhaps this centennial celebration will inspire our community to embrace, protect, and sustain this special building for another 100 years.”

Thompson said the

planning for the centennial celebration started in March.

Organizers, mindful of possible COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, focused on what could be done for an outdoor centennial celebration. The closure of Milton Way from Columbia Boulevard to St. Helens Street will allow an open area for activities and social distancing, she said.

The Chronicle’s Sept.

15 edition featured a special section Presenting the Railway Station Centennial Celebration that included the program agenda, trolley route, and Columbia County Museum Association’s Houlton District’s walking tour.

For more information about the celebration or visit Railway Station Centennial Celebration Facebook Event.

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce may be reached at 503-397-0685.

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

Paint the Chamber JUDY THOMPSON Community Volunteer

In 2016, the railway stations continued to be the home for South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce as it is today. The building was in big need of being painted. Patches of white primer paint stood out on various parts of the building’s faded color. Driving by the building everyday and seeing it in such need became more and more frustrating.

Why doesn’t someone do something about this?

South Columbia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Natasha Parvey was feeling that frustration too.

The only solution for the

frustration was to paint the building. Natasha took on the commitment to get the building painted. A committee was formed to gather information to see what the options were to get the job done. Painting bids came in over $16,000, funds the chamber did not have or would be able to secure.

Natasha applied for a $2,000 grant to Columbia County Cultural Coalition and was awarded the grant. To raise needed funds “Friends of the Chamber” and “Paint the Chamber” campaigns kicked off! This is a big project that will take time. How were we going to keep the momentum to keep raising funds to support

­­­­

painting the building? The momentum came in the way of this building is 95 years old and will turn 100 in 2021.

This building must have new paint to bring in the centennial milestone. Purpose was defined with determination to get the job done.

“The Paint the Chamber” campaign was promoted on social media and networked among family and friends.

Even the Conductor on Polar Express (Tom Hanks cardboard standup that is) helped out in being a “Friend of the Chamber.” Diners at Burgerville contributed to a fundraising evening. In mid 2017, See PAINT Page A5

Kneeling in front, Kathy Hartley, Libby Calnon, Natasha Parvey-Leskowich. Leaning over, Robert Thompson.

Back row, Art Leskowich, Celeste Lambert, Karl Webster, Kyle Boggs, Debbie Wanke Don Patterson, Judy Thompson, and Lonny Lee. Eddie Dunton and Brian Aanderud also assisted but are not pictured.

14 BEERS on tap.

Chamber Centennial

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

The Chamber building in 2016.

PAINT

From Page A4 funds accumulated to $7,000 and a date to paint and recruit volunteer was in the works.

August 2017, volunteers and businesses came forward, estimating over 420 volunteer hours contributed with some materials and supplies that where discounted or donated.

A daily work party over a 3-week period completed the task of painting the building.

Many times, a humorous reminder would be mentioned as to “remember we got to get this done for 2021 when this building will be 100 years old, and we will celebrate!”

Here we are in September 2021 with the Railway Station Centennial Celebration on September 18th!

As the planning committee formed, many ideas came forward and the importance of preservation for our town’s buildings, economy, history, present, and future is recognized.

There is much to be said for the Railway Station Centennial Celebration, may this inspire people to take on projects that create platforms for so many aspects to touch the heart of a community.

Special recognition to Natasha Parvey- Leskowich and Art Leskowich who speared headed “Paint the Chamber.”

Page 5

The Chamber with a fresh coat of paint.

Paint the Ch amber campaign fu n!

“Paint the Chamber” Burgeville Fund Raiser, Natasha Parvey-Leskowich, Debi Brimacombe, Judy Thompson Back Polar Express Conductor (Tom Hanks).

Roxanna Rosenthal, Natasha Parvey-Leskowich, Polar Express Conductor (Tom Hans), Judy Thompson. Front in blue Betty Knod.

A painting crew, Art Leskowich, Judy Thompson, Diane Dillard, Natasha Parvey-Leskowich. Embroidered bandanas were handed out as thank you keepsakes.

WHAT IS

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? GREAT QUESTION! The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization. It is a partnership between businesses, professionals, and organizations who work together to build a healthy local economy and improve the quality of life in a local community. We are a not-for-profit 501c6 organization with over 150 businesses, non-profits, and individuals in the area.

Our Mission: Strength of Business is our priority Vision: To create and promote economic vitality in South Columbia County

SCAPPOOSE

The SCC Chamber represents Scappoose, St Helens, Columbia City and Vernonia.

ST. HELENS

Our Core Values Membership-based

Being a chamber member means more than a business directory listing. It shows you support economic development and growth in the community

Partnership-Driven

The chamber is a collaboration of businesses, professionals and organizations working together

Economic Development

Chamber members join together because they stand a better chance of getting things done when speaking with a collective voice. They work together towards building a healthy economy and improving the quality of life

COLUMBIA CITY

Networking

Word of mouth is the most powerful marketing. Chamber members are offered numerous opportunities to network, create intimate connections and be involved in the community.

Interested in joining the Chamber.

Want to make a difference in the community?

Become a Chamber member, Ambassador or Board Member!

Find out more at sccchamber.org or email mgr@scccahmber.org.

We look forward to building a stronger business community together.

VERNONIA

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

Me mbe r s hi pAppl i c a t i on Na me : Photo courtesy of Simon Date

Chamber Executive Director Simon Date received a $10,000 check from the City of St. Helens during the council work session on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 to support upgrades and service expansion at the chamber building. Date said progress is already underway and the building has been cleared out in preparation for the work ahead. With support from City of St. Helens, InRoads Credit Union, and local businesses the remodeling successfully brings building up to facilitate today’s business and community needs.

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Support your local paper Keep up with local news by reading The Chronicle, available every Wednesday in print and online at thechronicleonline.com

C CMA 2 3 0S t r a ndS t r e e t S t .

He l e ns , Or e g on9 7 0 5 1 * Co nt r i but i onsa bo v et heme mbe r s hi pf e ema ybet a x de duc t i bl ea sac ha r i t a bl edo na t i on.

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

09-08-21 3x10 Stressless:Layout 1 9/2/21 10:27 AM Page 1

Guided walking tour of Houlton District

Join volunteers from the Columbia County Museum Association for a guided walking tour of the Houlton District. Tours will be offered between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and will leave from the Chamber of Commerce.

Participants will then proceed along the north side of Columbia Blvd. where they will cross the street at N. 20th St. and head back

towards the highway. Learn about the important business places that have called this area home and how it has changed over the last century.

Membership forms will be available at the event and you can also join the CCMA on their website www.colcomuseum.org

Congratulations Chamber Building Celebrating 100 YEARS 1921-2021 Molly Matchak Owner

Stop by Molly’s Market for a 290 S. 1st St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5479 * mmmatchak@gmail.com waffle or two

2015 columbia blvd., st. helens 503-397-1329 www.richardsonsfurniture.com “where columbia county has bought with confidence since 1959.”

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

Event Schedule, Trolley Route, & Points Interest Trolley Route &of Points of Interest “Posting Of The Flags” Pledge Of Allegiance &

Will Read Statement From PNWR 1:40 pm Judy Thompson - Sponsor Thanks & Event Rundown 1:45 pm Live Music - Larry Jackson’s Big River Big Band 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Columbia County Museum Historical Walking Tours 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm Roaring 20s Fashion Show Presented By Fiona Foulk Executive Director Portland Fashion Week 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Future Of Riverfront Presentation - St. Helens City Commissioner Patrick Birkle 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm St. Helens Ukulele Orchestra 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Live Music - Nina Reed & Guitarist Larry Munson 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Merchants Happy Hour - All Local Businesses Welcome Family Activities 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Pie & Coffee & Ice Cream Available To Purchase 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm InRoads Credit Union Photo Booth 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Local Makers Gift Shop Bazaar Inside The Historic 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Railway Station

1:30 pm Portland Western - Current Railway Commerce

History

1:20 pm Columbia County Museum Association Railway

1:15 pm Alex Tardiff - Chamber Board President

Event Schedule • Sept. 18, 2021

1:10 pm Henry Heinmuller, County Commissioner

Senator Betsy Johnson

1:05 pm Ronda Hills, Ticor Title Welcomes All Along With

National Anthem

1:00 pm Commerce Ceremony Columbia County Veterans

1 Railway Station Centennial Celebration 16 Houlton District Guided Walking Tour Start 1 2 TROLLEY STOP 2194 Columbia Blvd.

2 1 Railway Station 3 Christina’s Chest - TeaCentennial Tasting Celebration 3 Houlton District Guided Walking Tour Start 15 4 Bertucci’s - Old Fashioned Candy 4 2 TROLLEY STOP 2194 Columbia Blvd.

5 Dari Delish - Famous Burgers & Soft Ice Cream 3 Christina’s Chest - Tea Tasting 6 TROLLEY STOP 1111 Columbia Blvd.

4 Bertucci’s - Old Fashioned Candy Market Fresh - Wine Tasting 5 Dari Delish - Famous Burgers & Soft Ice Cream 7 Kozy6Korner - Histroic Display TROLLEY STOP 1111 Columbia Blvd.

8 Henry Knighton House - Founder Market Fresh - Wine Tasting of St. Helens 5 9 Historic John Gumm Elementary 7 Kozy Korner - Histroic DisplayBuilding All events are in the vicinity of the South Columbia Chamber of Commerce, 10 TROLLEY STOP 210House S. 1st 8 Henry Knighton -St. Founder of St. Helens 2194 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, Or 97051. Subject to change without notice.

9 Historic John Gumm Elementary Building Wild Currant STOPOpening 210 S. 1st St. 11 Tap10 IntoTROLLEY Wine Grand 1:00Currant pm Commerce Ceremony Columbia County Veterans “Posting Of The Flags” Pledge Wild Running Dogs Whiskey Room & Speakeasy Allegiance & National Anthem 11 Tap Into WineOf Plymouth Pubpm Grand Opening 1:05 Ronda Hills, Ticor Title Welcomes All Along With Senator Betsy Johnson Dogs Whiskey Room & Speakeasy Jilly’s Running 1:10 pm Henry Heinmuller, County Commissioner Plymouth Pub Halloweentown 6 1:15 pm Jilley’s Again Alex Tardiff - Chamber Board President 12 TROLLEY STOP Columbia Blvd.

1:20 pm 380 Columbia County Museum Association Railway History Halloweentown 1:30 pm Purrz & Paws Palm &380 Paws Fortune Readings Portland Western - Current Railway Commerce Will Read Statement From PNWR 12 TROLLEY STOP Columbia Blvd.

1:40Sampling pm Judy Thompson - Sponsor Thanks & Event Rundown & Pet Treat Purrz & Paws - Palm & Paws Fortune Readings 1:45 pm - Live MusicTasting - Larry Jackson’s Big River Big Band 13 St. Helens Liquor Whiskey & Pet Treat Sampling 2:00 pm 4:00 pm Columbia County 13 &St.Cheese 14 Swine - Sale- Italian & Tasting G.F.Museum Goods Historical Walking Tours Helens Liquor Whiskey 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm Roaring 20s Fashion Show Presented By Fiona Foulk Executive Director Portland Swine & Cheese - Sale Italian & & G.F. Goods 15 The14Real Deahl Gift Store - Meet Greet 80 Fashion Week 15 The Real Deahl Gift Store Meet & Greet 80 Artists 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Future Of Riverfront Presentation - St. Helens City Commissioner Patrick Birkle Artists 16 3:30 Walt’s pmProduce - 4:30 pm St Helens Ukulele Orchestra Walt’s Produce Rose Room Open- House 5:00 pm - 7:00Aesthetics pm Live -Music NinaHouse Reed & Guitarist Larry Munson 16 Rose Room Aesthetics - Open 14 Rose - Clothing Sale 5:00 pmStreet - 7:00 Boutique pm Merchants HappySale Hour - All Local Businesses Welcome Rose Street Boutique - Clothing 13 8 Family Activities • Trolley 1:30Pie pm 5:15 pm 1:00 pm -Runs 4:00 pm & Coffee & Ice Cream Available To Purchase

7 • Trolley runs 1:30 pm - 5:15 pm 12 1:00Charge pm - 4:00To pmRide • No InRoads Credit Union Photo Booth • No Charge To Ride 1:00 pmSt. - 4:00 pm Local • Learn Helens History Along The Bazaar Way Inside The Historic9Railway Station Makers Gift Shop • Learn St. Helens History Along The Way 1:00 pm 4:30 pm • Hop On Or Off AtVintage Each Cars, StopMotorcycle & Tractors On Display Or Off At Each Stop 1:30 pm• Hop - 5:15On pm Grayline Pink20 Trolley History Rides Step Off Trolley To Shop, Dine And Explore Along • Runs Approximately Every Minutes • Runs Approximately Every 20 Minutes 11 10 Our Main Streets • No Service Between 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Service 5:00 pm• No - 6:oo pm Between 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Madam Malina & Zoltar Fortune Telling

Thank You To Our Sponsors

1:30 pm - 5:15 pm Vintage Cars, Motorcycle & Tractors On Display Grayline Pink Trolley History Rides Step Off Trolley

FOUNDED 1844

To Shop, Dine And Explore Along Our Main Streets 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Madam Malina & Zoltar Fortune Telling

Tardif-Yoder Family

Robert & Judy Thompson Family

Page 12

Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

St. Helens Railway Station and railway history DAVID SPRAU Columbia County Museum Association

St. Helens railway station celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Constructed in 1921, it was used both for freight and passengers until 1952, when passenger service was discontinued; it remained as a freight station until 1997.

What we shouldn’t lose sight of, however, is that railroad service in St. Helens pre-dates this building by thirty-seven years.

Northern Pacific Railroad Company (NP) constructed the line in 1883-84, between Portland and Tacoma, as part of their railroad system between the west coast and St. Paul, Minnesota. Between Tacoma and Portland, nearly twenty passenger and freight trains per day passed here for the first 25 years. It was possible to board a train

Courtesy of CCMA collection

Southbound passenger train from Astoria, operated on Northern Pacific tracks by Astoria and Columbia River Railroad in about 1907, heading for Portland, passes under C.C. Masten logging railroad bridge at St. Helens. Approximate location is about 500 feet west of current Burgerville Restaurant.

in St. Helens and without having to get out of your seat, ride either to Portland

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or Tacoma, thence anywhere east from there. A transfer boat at Kalama carried the

locomotive, railcars and their contents across the Columbia River.

The rail ferry at Kalama landed on the Oregon side at a place known as Hunters, currently site of the Columbia Stock Ranch, two miles upstream. Crossing time between Hunters and Kalama was lengthy due to current and distance, so in 1890 the railroad was extended to, and a new ferry slip constructed at Goble, enabling the chore to be completed in twenty minutes instead of the previous fifty.

In 1899, lumberman A.B. Hammond completed the “Astoria and Columbia River” railroad from Astoria to Goble, where it connected with the Northern Pacific, who permitted the new railroad to operate over their tracks to and from Portland, NP reserving all wayside freight and passenger service to themselves, although that condition was relaxed as years passed.

Meanwhile, things were backing up at Houlton. In

­­­­

1904 there was no station, and no agent. Shipments were beginning to come and go by rail instead of by boat, and crates and packages were basically off-loaded and left standing along the track for their recipients, or vice-versa by those wishing to ship. Railroad officials quickly saw potential for greater profit as well as liability of loss, damage or theft, and constructed a rickety building on the west side of the tracks immediately northwest of the spot where Columbia Boulevard crossed the tracks, and installed an agent in 1905. In 1906 business had increased, requiring the building to be enlarged.

On Christmas Day, 1908, Northern Pacific having extended a rail line from Kalama through Ridgefield

See RAILWAY Page A13

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Courtesy of CCMA collection

“Houlton” railroad station circa 1900. This building was located on the West side of railroad tracks, versus the current building which replaced it, constructed on the east side; view is therefore looking northwest, toward Astoria. Houlton Post office was, at that time, located within the station building. The small white A-shaped device, just beyond the building, is a “mail crane,” enabling mail sacks to be picked up by trains without stopping.

RAILWAY

Courtesy of SP&S Railway Historical Society Collection

St. Helens railway station in approximately 1970, looking toward Astoria. Note the boxcar, containing merchandise, on a spur track that now is gone. The semaphore contraption on the mast in front of the station is a “Train Order Signal.” Right hand Arm or “blade” of signal, as seen by trains approaching from either direction, informed them whether to pass without receiving written “Train Orders” regarding conditions ahead.

Both arms in photo indicate “proceed,” but if a semaphore arm was horizontal, or at 45 degree angle, written “Train Orders” were needed before leaving St. Helens.

many years.

1920 is remembered for another event. On the night of June 16, at around 10 P.M., the depot roof caught fire; sparks from the stack of a passing locomotive was believed to be the cause.

Station agent Gilby and another employee inside started hauling station records and valuables away while the local fire department vainly tried to save the building. It soon was reduced to ashes. Some small, existing structures were pressed into service as replacements, and the railroad assured citizenry a palatial new depot would follow, the new building to be constructed on the opposite side of the track, its east or south end to be almost directly across from the destroyed west or north end of the burned structure.

The fire probably saved the reputation of the SP&S railroad because reputationwise, the old structure was rapidly becoming a liability.

Besides looking terrible, it was too small for burgeoning business. prompting numerous complaints. Editor Morton of the St Helens Mist opined on April 25, 1919, “The depot is a disgrace to St. Helens, and anything but a compliment to General Manager Davidson, who refuses to make any

From Page A12 to Vancouver, and over a new bridge into Oregon, the river ferry at Goble was discontinued, making the line between Goble and Portland surplus to NP’s needs.

Shortly thereafter, it was leased to the Astoria and Columbia River company, enabling their trains’ operation and customer service all the way from Astoria to Portland. But during the interim, before that lease was signed, Northern Pacific experienced an embarrassing setback not recorded in the history books. Their new railroad line through Ridgefield and Woodland experienced numerous landslides, requiring restoration of Goble Ferry service and train operation via Columbia County nearly the entire month of January 1909, pending repairs.

The year before, in 1907, railroad magnate James J. Hill, generally credited as builder of the Great Northern Railway from St. Paul to Seattle, later for taking control of competing Northern Pacific’s slightly different route between those same cities, purchased the Astoria and Columbia River railroad, allowing it to continue under its own name and management. At that time, Hill’s other two

Page 13

Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

Courtesy of SP&S Railway Historical Society Collection

St. Helens railway station in about 1980 while the “Astoria Line” was under Burlington Northern Railroad management. Porte-Coche on right was incorporated into original construction at request of local citizens, and came in very handy during depression years when SP&S railroad operated a jitney bus in addition to train service between Portland, Vernonia, and Astoria. The bus could load and unload passengers under the covered area, providing relief from both sunshine and rain.

railroads went through the process of building a third railroad, utilizing the north bank of the Columbia River from Pasco to Vancouver.

This was known as the “Spokane, Portland and Seattle’’ (SP&S) railway, although it never actually went to Seattle. Upon SP&S completion, no time was lost in streamlining operations, turning that portion of the NP between Vancouver and Portland, including the new bridge, over to the SP&S, as well as combining the Astoria and Columbia River line with SP&S also. The lease of A&CR by Northern Pacific, signed in 1909, was retained, explaining “why”

for many years, the Gobleto-Portland portion, though maintained and operated by SP&S, remained the property of Northern Pacific long afterward.

In 1914, the towns of St. Helens and Houlton merged.

The railroad had difficulty complying with the name change for technical and operational reasons related to interstate commerce, involving the necessity of publication of national freight and ticket rates and new national passenger and freight guides, which were slowly implemented.

Finally, on June 17, 1917, a new operating timetable was issued, name boards on the

depot were changed, and the town officially became “St Helens” on the railroad as well as everywhere else.

In 1920, McCormick Lumber interests formed the “St. Helens Dock and Terminal Railroad.” By constructing new trackage along the waterfront, as well as utilizing portions of a former logging railroad that used Sykes Road and an overpass very near the current Burgerville restaurant for its right-of way enroute to their log dump on the river, railroad freight became available at the door of industries along the river that had been the sole bastion of river transport for

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See RAILWAY Page A14

The Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) is a proud sponsor of the Railway Station Centennial Celebration. In addition to serving the St Helens community directly, PNWR has 516 miles of track in western Oregon, stretching from Eugene to Astoria. It employs 140 team members and interchanges with BNSF, Coos Bay Rail Link, Albany & Eastern, and Union Pacific railroads– carrying lumber, minerals, energy, and agricultural products for industries in the state.

Without the ongoing strength and support of all our customers, especially those in the greater St Helens area, the PNWR wouldn’t exist. Thank you and congratulations on the milestone! Learn more at gwrr.com/pnwr.

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Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

Courtesy of CCMA Sentinel Mist/Brownlow Family Collection

A contemporary view of Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway train crossing Columbia Boulevard circa 1956. Diesel locomotives of this kind were a common sight in St. Helens as well as along the rest of what was called the “A-line” between Portland and Seaside for many years.

RAILWAY

From Page A13 improvement of the wretched place.” Articles couched in similar vitriolic terms appeared regularly, including one which stated that SP&S President Luthene Gilman, whose family fame included personal friendship with rail magnate James J. Hill and main credit for founding the city of Issaquah, Washington, stated that the current facility was “Adequate for St. Helens,” and he saw “No need of expanding facilities there.”

Gilman may have had legendary status as a railroad man, but general examination of most of his letters dealing with operational matters, including one piece in which he stated expenditure for construction of the Cornelius Pass tunnel had been “a pity,” tend to portray a skinflint.

Since the hours of agent J.R. Gilby, reported as being present in the building at the 10PM outbreak and very

fortuitously able to assist in saving all the company’s records, actually were from 8AM until 5PM, one can only wonder about the “accidental” fire’s cause.

After what seemed a long delay while architectural plans were drafted, and authorizations for expenditure approved, construction of the building we see now, was begun in 1921, and on October 4 of that year, was opened for business. Total cost of the structure was $15,000.00. The new building, otherwise applauded by local citizenry, was not without another squabble, reported in local newspapers. As explained earlier, Northern Pacific technically owned the railroad, but the SP&S was operating it. NP at the time painted their depots bright red, and wanted this structure to follow their standard plan. SP&S on the other hand, used more conservative shades of tan and brown, which was far more acceptable not only to the city fathers and local folk in general, but particularly favored over garish red

by a couple of residents living nearby, one of whom had donated a sliver of his land to enable the depot to have the nice porte-cochere still existing outside its east wall. General Manager Davidson, noting another barrage of bad publicity about to launch in newspapers, by then weary of all the criticism directed his way over the old building, was reluctant to start another war with the good people of St. Helens over a mere paint job and quietly ordered the depot be painted the favored brown-and-tan.

Posterity must note, for most of the life of both buildings, two other services somewhat distinct from the railroad were available: Before telephones, and even after they became available, Western Union and similar commercial companies provided written “Telegram” service for the public. Western Union Telegrams were a quick and practical method of advising family members and other interested persons regarding business dealings of all kinds, births,

Courtesy of SP&S Railway Historical Society Walt Ainsworth Collection

Another view of the original Houlton railway station looking toward Astoria, circa 1905. The viewer is reminded, this building was located across the track from the present building.

deaths, marriages, and other important advice or events.

Commercial telegraph companies had their own offices and employees in larger cities, but in small towns, by contract with railroads, railroad employees whose main duty was working

by Morse Telegraph wire with a train dispatcher at headquarters and delivering Train Orders and messages to passing trains, served also as telegraphers for Western Union, receiving and sending messages for the public via railroad company circuits.

Another company owned and operated in concert by practically all the nation’s railroads, was “Railway Express Agency.” Using privately-owned cars in passenger trains, “Railway Express’’ operated much like FedEx and United Parcel of today; not so much competing with the postal service, but mainly, expeditiously handling shipments that would normally be unsuitable at post offices, for example volatiles and explosives, but not limited to any

commodity. Again, in larger cities, Railway Express used their own facilities and employees, but at St. Helens and thousands of smaller towns, by contract, local depot employees served in dual capacity for the Express company, handling shipments of milk, cream, perfumes, other perishables, and unwieldy or large shipments. At Carnation, Washington, the famous Carnation bull, ordinarily boarded at their agricultural facility, was crated and shipped biyearly via Railway Express to Illinois, charged there with inseminating a herd of equally famous cows; labels on milk containers sloganing “From Contented Cows.” Perhaps now, we know why.

St. Helens Dock and Terminal Railroad was taken over by SP&S in November, 1931. Thereafter, things rolled along until March 3, 1970, when the Spokane, Portland and Seattle, Northern Pacific, Great Northern, and several other railroads merged to form Burlington Northern.

This, however, portended no great change in service to our surrounding area, until July 12, 1997 when sale of the railroad line resulted in depot closure and a new owner, Portland and Western, removing local freight offices to Albany. In addition to maintaining a proactive marketing department to solicit business and work with shippers and consignees, Portland and Western offered an additional innovation; conductors of local freight trains could serve as liaison with customers. This meant that when a train arrived in town, prepared to provide service, on-train personnel could be relied upon to work directly with industries to provide precisely the type of railcars and other services shippers needed. A marked increase in rail business along operated portions of the entire line resulted. The station building subsequently was sold for use by Columbia County Chamber of Commerce which has extensively remodeled the interior to suit their requirements.

Page 15

Talk of the Town - Railway Station Centennial Celebration

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Railway Station Centennial Celebration Join the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce For A Family Friendly Roaring 20s’ Inspired Gala Event. It’s sure to be the Talk of the Town. Chamber Building Celebrating 100 Years 1921-2021. The St. Helens Railway Station has been bringing people into our community since it first opened in October 1921. That hustle and bustle are evident in the above photo of CCMA’s Sentinel-mist/Brownlow Family Collection. That tradition has continued for nearly a century, most recently serving as the SCC Chamber of Commerce where it helps to build a healthy economy and improve life in our community. We invite you to celebrate this historic building as this building turns 100!

1620 Columbia Blvd, St Helens, OR 97051 | (503) 397-0123