While looking for Bradwood Landing, I came across signs of the dead town of Clifton. Yesterday, I happened across more information about the town on an old 1993 episode of "Oregon Field Guide." Apparently it was a small fishing settlement, one of many that used to dot both sides of the Columbia River. Immigrants from a variety of countries used to fish this stretch of river in sailboats called "butterfly boats" because of the shape of their sails. A passenger train from Portland stopped at Clifton twice a day. Nothing is left but an abandoned general store, some railroad tracks, and some pilings, which used to support houses. There was also a dance hall and a tavern. Apparently the residents of Clifton were of Mediterranean background, because they used to order up a rail car or two of grapes every year and make their own wine.
No comments:
Post a Comment