July’s speaker Gary Randall will explore the development of the Mount Hood Loop Highway and its transformation from rough pioneer and wagon roads into one of Oregon’s most important scenic highways. The talk will include stories of early road builders, tourism development, mountain communities, and the dramatic changes the highway brought to life on Mount Hood.
Join us for an evening exploring the early roads, communities, and history behind the Mount Hood Loop Highway.
About the speaker
Gary Randall is a Mount Hood historian, author, and photographer who has spent years researching and documenting the history of the Mount Hood region. Through his website, Mount Hood History, and his extensive collection of historic photographs, postcards, maps, and newspaper archives, he has become one of the leading independent voices preserving the stories of the mountain communities and the people who shaped them.
A lifelong Oregonian and longtime resident of the Mount Hood area, Gary is especially known for his work uncovering the history of the Barlow Road, early mountain resorts, pioneer travel routes, and the development of the Mount Hood Loop Highway. His research combines original newspaper accounts, firsthand stories, historical photographs, and field exploration to help bring the past back to life.
Special note – in March, Gary spearheaded a crowd-funding effort to purchase a beautiful historic “Mt Hood Loop” neon sign, which is now on the wall in our event space. In this location, the sign is very appropriately over the local tourism brochures that we offer for visitors to the Mt Hood area.
Social History Happy Hour
Mt Hood Loop Highway Centennial
July’s speaker Gary Randall will explore the development of the Mount Hood Loop Highway and its transformation from rough pioneer and wagon roads into one of Oregon’s most important scenic highways. The talk will include stories of early road builders, tourism development, mountain communities, and the dramatic changes the highway brought to life on Mount Hood.
Join us for an evening exploring the early roads, communities, and history behind the Mount Hood Loop Highway.
About the speaker
Gary Randall is a Mount Hood historian, author, and photographer who has spent years researching and documenting the history of the Mount Hood region. Through his website, Mount Hood History, and his extensive collection of historic photographs, postcards, maps, and newspaper archives, he has become one of the leading independent voices preserving the stories of the mountain communities and the people who shaped them.
A lifelong Oregonian and longtime resident of the Mount Hood area, Gary is especially known for his work uncovering the history of the Barlow Road, early mountain resorts, pioneer travel routes, and the development of the Mount Hood Loop Highway. His research combines original newspaper accounts, firsthand stories, historical photographs, and field exploration to help bring the past back to life.
Special note – in March, Gary spearheaded a crowd-funding effort to purchase a beautiful historic “Mt Hood Loop” neon sign, which is now on the wall in our event space. In this location, the sign is very appropriately over the local tourism brochures that we offer for visitors to the Mt Hood area.
Doors open at 6:30pm. $5.00 Admission.