Vista House & Crown Point and twilight Stars

Twilight stars begin to emerge in the eastern sky over Vista House at Crown Point. Completed in 1918 at a cost of $99,148.00, this historic landmark was initially criticized by the Oregon Journal as being “the most expensive comfort station in the world”.  By parlance of the day, a comfort station translated as outhouse. Today the Vista House is visited by over one million visitors annually, and is widely considered one of the most iconic views in Oregon. Samuel Lancaster, a consulting engineer involved with promoting the project, stated that the Vista House would serve as “an observatory from which the view both up and down the Columbia could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite”.  In hindsight, we know these monies were well spent, and this treasured landmark has now been enjoyed by millions of both Oregonians and visitors alike. In 2006, after 5 years of work, the Vista House was fully restored at a cost of $4.5 million dollars, $2.5 million dollars of which was raised by private donations. If interested in visiting the Vista House at Crown Point, visitors are welcome free of charge from mid March through October, between the hours of 10-4 or 9-6. During the winter season, the Vista House is open on weekends and during holidays as weather allows. Historic Oregon, Multnomah County, Night Photography