About Troutdale, CA

One of America’s communities with a rich historical past is Troutdale City. In the year 1792, the area was discovered by Lt. Broughton and his men in the autumn season and the area was at the confluence of Columbia and the Sandy Rivers. The troupe who traveled in the area was led by Captain George Vancouver. They ascended the Columbia River and reached part of the east Mountain of Sandy River. The point where they settled was called Broughton’s Bluff, however, a few years later they changed its name to Mount Hood.

The earliest civilians who settled in the area came in the years 1850 and 1851. D.F. Buxton, Benjamin Hall, John Douglass, Stott, Hicklin filed the early donation land claims in the year 1853. In Ancient times, David F. Buxton was given a credit to be the true founder of Troutdale City. He filed claims for land donation in the center of the present Troutdale City. The first one who established the first primitive water system was Buxton. The water system was useful until the 1960’s. Mr. Buxton died in the year 1910 at his land in Troutdale.

The City’ primary industry was the American Dressed Meat Company, but it was sold later and used to be Portland’s Swift and Company. Other companies that were developed were a hotel, a lumber mill and a distillery. However, in the 189’s, the distillery burned down and reported as a bright blue flame. In the year 1907, one person that was very instrumental in incorporating Troutdale City, later became the first mayor, and his name was Aaron Fox. It used to be a town of pub and hangouts, however, the incorporation of Troutdale permitted the community as the necessity to have controls over them. Big licensing fees excluded the need for city taxes.

In the year 1907, almost all the buildings were swept away by the fire and the whole city almost burned down. Only the church of that was built in the 1890’s survived, and it was established on a hillside two blocks from the district areas. Some houses also survived from the tragedy. After two years, Clara Latourell Larsson, became the first woman mayor of Troutdale City.

When the Columbia River Highway was established and ran all over Troutdale in the year 1916, several residents started businesses, hot dog stands, dance pavilions and restaurants to entertain and feed the travelers. Laura Harlow, who was Captain John Harlow’s daughter in law was voted as a Mayor in the city in the year 1924. A year after, the second fire almost destroyed the entire business district. People believed that the fire came from a still explosion in the garage of the former mayor’s husband John Larsson. John Harlow’s primary house was destroyed in the mid 1920’s. The only remaining part of his property was the house of Fred, his son, established in the year 1900 on his first farm site. The house is now called Harlow House Museum of Historical Society. Based in Troutdale, the first rail depot was set on fire in the year 1907 and was remodeled as the second depot, in the present time and is called the Rail Museum. It was moved to its present site from its original location in the year 1979.

In the mid 1940’s, the establishment of an aluminum plant was a boon to county’s economy, however its radiation stopped the gladiola industry and caused damage to other corps. The city remained very fairly and peaceful during mid-1950’s. In the year 1960, under the guidance of Mayor Glenn Otto, who used to be statewide leader and a state senator, the city land areas expanded to more than 2000 acres from 320 acres.