MT HOOD History
Arrah Wanna Lodge
Then and Now
“The road to Mount Hood”. As automobile traffic increased, and road conditions improved, many lodges and hotels sprung up along the way. Cherryville Hotel, Welches Hotel, Tawney’s Hotel the Rhododendron Inn were just a few.
One in particular had a name that evoked thoughtful questions about its origin – The Arrah Wanna Hotel.
Down the road a piece was the Welches Hotel. In 1905, Billy leased land to Clinton “Linny” Kern and his partner, a man named Wren. The two men built and operated a hotel until 1909, after which Billy took the land and the hotel back, and was joined in 1911 by his new bride Jenny (Faubion) Welch.
In the meantime, George Routledge, the man that started one of the first auto stages to Mount Hood, had purchased 150 acres of land a mile downstream from Welches along the Salmon River. The area was used for a time as a campground for some girl’s organizations in Portland.
Routledge found a partner in Linny Kern and together they built the Arrah Wanna Hotel. It was a large rustic lodge, and quickly became a popular spot for vacationers. Although popular, it wasn’t very profitable and the lodge was taken over by J. L. Bowman in 1915; soon after the hotel burned to the ground. Bowman soon re-built the hotel and this building is still there today.
Many speculate of how the hotel got its name. Although it’s not clear, popular belief is that, because of the close proximity of seasonal Native American camps, the area was identified heavily with the people that had used it for generations. At the time of its development there was a popular song called Arrah Wanna which told a tale of an Irishman that fell in love with an Indian Maiden, and his quest to marry her.
Back in the day to get to Arrah Wanna one would turn right at Wemme, just past “Broken Spring Ally”. Although road conditions have improved since the days of the primitive road, you still get to Arrah Wanna via Wemme.
Today the Arrah Wanna Lodge is called Camp Arrah Wanna and is owned and operated by the American Baptist Churches of Oregon. Arrah Wanna is used for youth camps, conferences, retreats or even as a facility for family reunions or company events.
Because of its beautiful setting and close proximity to the Salmon River, Arrah Wanna has been a desirous place for seasonal cabins for many years, and today is occupied by many full timers.
Arrah Wanna is just another facet of the gem that is The Villages of Mt Hood, and is passed by many that are oblivious of its existence or its wonderful history.
December 2008 / January 2009
