Port History 1970-1989

A large, rectangular industrial building with a boxcar on a gravel path in a desert landscape under a clear blue sky.

August 1972 - Dallesport - Newly constructed 101 Parallel Building

The first building to be constructed at the Dallesport Industrial Park, known then as The Dalles Cherry Growers Building, and the rail siding extended…

Site plan for Dow Sodium Chlorate Plant in Dallesport, Washington, showing layout, buildings, tanks, and road connections.

April 1974 - Dallesport - Dow Chemical Plant Site Plan

The first major development opportunity after the Port's acquisition of the Dallesport Industrial Park property was the proposed construction of a…

Aerial view of a landscape with roads, a runway, buildings, and a body of water.

January 1973 – June 1979 - Dallesport - Initial development

The 101 Parallel Building (fka The Dalles Cherry Growers Building) can be seen in the lower left corner and the Magnesium Potline structures built for…

Aerial view of a river with surrounding land, roads, and a bridge crossing over. Sparse vegetation and infrastructure visible.

January 1973 – July 1982 - Dallesport - Waterfront property

The Dallesport Industrial Park waterfront as it existed before construction of the barge dock and Dock Road railroad overpass. Dock Road can be seen…

Industrial park sign and warehouses in a desolate landscape with hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

December 1980 – September 1981 - Dallesport - Industrial park entrance at Dock Road

An unpaved Dock Road can be seen running along the right side of the photograph. The Dalles Cherry Growers Building (at 101 Parallel Ave.) and the…

A desert landscape with hills, sparse vegetation, power lines, and a small settlement of colorful buildings and structures.

September 1980 – October 1990 - Dallesport - Groves-Kiewit-Granite operation

This artist's rendering of the proposed Bingen Winds development shows a golf course, a waterfront motel, retail shops, a port office, open moorage…

Sign for Dallesport Industrial Park; offers industrial property for lease or sale. Background shows industrial buildings and landscape.

1981 – 1983 - Dallesport - Industrial park entrance at Dock Road

The southern (Dock Road) entrance to the Dallesport Industrial Park taken from US Hwy 197. The original industrial park sign can be seen on the left…

Two cranes lifting a horizontal beam over a valley with hills in the background.

October 1982 - Dallesport - Construction of railroad overpass

Cranes place the first supporting girder in place over the BNSF (fka Spokane, Portland & Seattle and, later, Burlington Northern) main line. The…

A dam and bridge span a river with arid hills and a sparse landscape in the background.

June 1983 – November 1984 - Dallesport - The S.J. Groves/Kiewit years

The Port's water reservoir can be seen near the center of the photograph. Just below it appear the 102 Kreps Building (aka the Dallesport Lumber…

A curving road by a body of water with a small dock, surrounded by dry, brown terrain.

June 1983 – June 1985 - Dallesport - Newly completed barge dock

Construction of the dock began July 1982 and was completed June 1983 (paving did not occur until July 1985). The dock was constructed by Jackson…

A large ship at Klickitat County Port District dock facility beside a dry, grassy area with a sign in the foreground.

July 1985 – March 1991 - Dallesport - Dock with river cruise ship

The Colonial Explorer river cruise ship tied up at the Port's barge dock (with a new, paved apron). In the background, The Dalles Navigation Lock can…

Map of a development plan showing a golf course, marina, and shops with surrounding water features.

August 1985 – July 1987 - Bingen Point - Proposed "Bingen Winds" development

This artist's rendering of the proposed Bingen Winds development shows a golf course, a waterfront motel, retail shops, a port office, open moorage…

Excavator on a rocky shore by a river with floating logs, surrounded by hills and trees.

Aug. 1986 – May 1989 - Bingen Point - Windsurfing beach at Sailboard Park

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bingen Point was a popular spot for windsurfing. The Port spent $35,000 to create a beach access point, but its…

A military officer shakes hands with a man in a suit, surrounded by onlookers and flags.

December 18, 1969 - Dallesport - Property purchase from Corps

Oliver P. Kreps exchanges a $105,000 check for the deed to 375 acres of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) property near The Dalles Dam. The…

A barren landscape with construction equipment, dirt piles, and distant hills under a blue sky.

After June 1988 - Dallesport - Aggregate mining begins

Jarl Construction was first contracted to mine aggregate on property north of Dow Road and east of the BIA Wisham Cemetery in June of 1979. Later…

A serene river scene with lush greenery, trees, and a town nestled in rolling hills in the background.

Mar. 1989 – Oct. 1992 - Bingen Point - Before initial development

Taken before disposal of the Bonneville Lock Project spoils (October 1992) and the first industrial development (December 1993), Marina Park and the…

Four men in suits sitting at a table, discussing documents in an office setting. An American flag is visible in the background.

December 19, 1989 - Bingen Point - Contract for Bonneville NavLock spoils

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Port staff sign the contract to receive "spoils" from construction of the second navigation lock at…