In October 2012, the first-ever Reconnect to the River Festival was sponsored by The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. The event was to celebrate the completion of the new city dock and the arrival of cruise ships to The Dalles.
Mary Davis and Sandy Bisset coordinated with the local and not so local historical groups to create what was called “History Row.” Out of that first event, the Fort Dalles Floozies were organized and have become well known in the community, as well as very popular with cruise ship passengers.
Another outcome of the event was a brochure entitled” Places of Historic Interest in The Dalles and Surrounding Area.” The pamphlet was created by Bisset and Davis through the Original Wasco County Courthouse as a handout for the event.
The brochure is a comprehensive list of the historic venues in The Dalles and Wasco County, plus historical interests in Hood River and Sherman Counties.
In addition, there is information on local research libraries and services, access links for local historical photographs, as well as local cemetery locations.
Local Historian Susan Buce contributed articles on the Wascopam Mission and Oregon Trail for the brochure. The reader is directed to www.historicthedalles.org for additional information on these subjects.
The cover art by the late local artist, Jeanne Hillis, is a stylized view of The Dalles historical skyline and is used with permission of her son, Hewitt Hillis.
The Original Wasco County Courthouse and The Dalles Area Chamber recently partnered to print the brochure and enlisted the services of Optimist Printers.
The brochure is now available at many local businesses and historical venues, and The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Copies can be obtained by stopping by the chamber’s office or contacting Davis at mrd5191945@yahoo.com or by phone at 541-296-9580, or Bisset at wildflowers@gorge.net or by phone 541-298-1240.
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