Port History - The Early Years

Aerial view of a rural landscape with fields, a river, and a small town, surrounded by hills and scattered trees.

Before 1937 - Bingen Point - Before Bonneville Dam

The entire Bingen Point area as it originally existed can be seen in this photograph. With the construction of the Bonneville Dam and Pool, an…

Open field with scattered trees, industrial buildings in the distance, a pile of rocks, and mountains in the background.

August 1952 – February 1953 - Bingen West - First property acquired

Starting in August 1952, the Port acquired over 126 acres in the area between Jewett Creek and the Hood River Bridge (an area then known as "Bingen…

Aerial view of a river with a bridge, hills, and an industrial area emitting smoke.

February 1953 – December 1961 - Bingen Point - After Bonneville Dam

The creation of the Bonneville Pool behind Bonneville Dam submerged large portions of Bingen Point, resulting in the inlets and islands visible near…

River with rocky banks, small town in the background, surrounded by hills and trees.

May 1953 – December 1964 - Bingen West - First marina

One of the first river access points in the Bingen area, the marina at the Port's "Bingen West" property was funded by the U.S. Army Corps of…

A river flowing through a rocky landscape, with mountains and a line of trees in the background.

May 1962 – July 1962 - Bingen Point - Bingen Harbor dike and road

Known as "Low Dike B", the dike and access road shown running left-to-right toward the bottom of the photograph created the western boundary of what…

Aerial view of a town by a river, surrounded by hills and forests, with docks and industrial areas visible.

October 1962 – March 1963 - Bingen Point - After harbor entrance dredging

The dike and road that forms the southern extension of Maple Street (fka Shore Drive) can be seen just to the right of center near the shorter of the…

Flooded area with fast-flowing water, debris, and damaged infrastructure.

January 1965 - Bingen West - Damage at first marina

A breach in a dam above White Salmon resulted in significant flooding and damage at the "Bingen West" marina. The partially submerged end of the boat…

A barge connected by a long floating structure on a river, with a hilly, wooded background.

May 1966 - Bingen Point - Dredging Bingen Harbor

The Port paid $363,245 ($178,245 of which was contributed by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce) to dredge the northwest corner of Bingen Harbor and bring Low…

Railroad tracks in the foreground, a dirt road, grassy fields, a river, and forested hills in the distance.

May 1966 - Bingen Point - Marina Park property

Fill from dredging the northwest corner of the future Bingen Harbor was used to fill the area shown here (as well as the area immediately west of the…

A dry, sparse landscape with patches of grass and debris, hills in the background, and a single pole standing in a muddy area.

May 1966 - Bingen Point - West harbor before Bonneville fill

The area west of Bingen Harbor and east of Bingen Lake as it appeared when farmed by the Dickey family and before the receipt of dredge spoils. Fill…

Dam structure with a river and surrounding barren landscape.

Before March 1970 - Dallesport - Before development

The Dalles Dam can be seen at the bottom of the photograph with US Hwy 197 running along the left side. What would later become Dock Road can be seen…