The Troutdale Centennial Arch, a 68-foot long arch resting on two basalt piers has been erected at the west end of the Columbia Gorge Historic Highway.
The following is exerpted from The Gresham Outlook, Mar 16, 2010 article titled "ARCH RISES ABOVE DOWNTOWN TROUTDALE
..."Orchestrated by Bremik Construction and Columbia Wire & Iron Works, the seamless operation belied four years of conceptualizing, planning, fundraising and controversy leading to the monument – a bona fide “Gateway to the Gorge” at the entrance to downtown – becoming a reality.
Among the scattered onlookers taking in the event, perhaps no one felt more relief and joy than Rip Caswell. The renowned sculptor initially conceived the arch concept and sculpted the two 7-foot-long bronze trout – appropriately twisting upstream toward the Columbia River – that grace the support structures on either side."
..."Max Maydew, a key arch fundraising coordinator, beamed with excitement as he gazed up at the 22-feet high arch. Its top letters boldly proclaim “TROUTDALE” with “Gateway to the Gorge” just below.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” he said, noting how the span fulfills Caswell’s vision of framing downtown and Broughton Bluff above the Sandy River. “It’s just a beautiful piece of arch work.”
Along with his wife, Cheryl, a board member of the Troutdale Historical Society, Maydew developed the north side of the downtown business district in the late 1990s. The historical society raised more than $100,000 in private donations to build the arch, originally planned to mark the city’s centennial celebration in fall 2007.
After a promising start, an economic downturn slowed donations to a trickle. With a colorful balloon arch standing in during the 100-year bash, the City Council considered – and ultimately adopted – a plan to fund the remaining $258,000 from city parks funds.
“It was a struggle,” Maydew recalled. “We raised as much money as we could, well over $100,000. City Council had to put it over the top.”
..."A ceremony to celebrate the Troutdale Centennial Arch will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 7, as part of the First Friday Art Walk.
Things to know
Facts about the Troutdale Centennial Arch spanning Historic Columbia River Highway
• Approximate total cost is $363,000
• Composed of three pieces, the center arch weighs 12,000 pounds, is 68 feet across and rises 22 feet above the roadway
• Columns are decorated with Columbia River basalt rock built on micro-pilings buried as deep as 25 feet
• Built-in lighting will illuminate the two metal support sculptures with 7-feet trout; additional lighting can be added
• It’s designed to withstand winds up to 110 mph and 3 inches of ice
• A gas-sealed time capsule will be installed in the south column to be opened in 2110
• A plaque covering the capsule will include those who donated $1,000 or more to the arch
Arch credits
• Original concept and artwork: Sculptor Rip Caswell of Rip Caswell Sculptures of Troutdale
• General contractor: Bremik Construction Inc.
• Architect: Michael McCulloch
• Structural engineer: Bob Grummel
• Fabrication: Columbia Wire & Iron Works, Swan Island in Portland
Contributions for the arch are still being accepted through the Troutdale Historical Society by calling 503-661-2164 or visiting troutdalehistory.org.
Copyright 2010 Pamplin Media Group, 6605 S.E. Lake Road, Portland, OR 97222 • 503-226-6397
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