The Columbia River Gorge is more than a scenic corridor - it's also a story of human history, beginning tens of thousands of years ago with the Native Americans and continuing with the arrival of Lewis and Clark in 1805. The region's most important trading area was between Celilo Falls and modern-day The Dalles, where tribes from both sides of the Cascades, and even farther east, met for commerce.

Important archaeological sites in this region offer many clues into that ancient history, but no one really knows just how far back such activities extend.

Recorded history begins with coastal explorations by Spanish, English and American sailors, and a key chapter of inland exploration opened in 1805 with arrival of the "Corps of Discovery." Captains Meriweather Lewis and William Clark came to the Columbia Gorge after descending the western slopes of the Rockies, then following the Snake River to its confluence with the Columbia. They camped at several different locations along the Mid-Columbia, traveling westward toward the Pacific Ocean in the fall of 1805, then eastward on their return journey the following spring. (They spent a wet, miserable winter on the Oregon coast near present-day Astoria.)

Trappers, explorers, other military expeditions and immigrants soon followed, with important centers of influence developing at Fort Vancouver (under English control), and Fort Dalles (established by the US Army).

The region's development was closely linked with transportation, beginning with river commerce and the need to portage around large rapids at Cascade Locks and east of The Dalles, as well as Celilo Falls. Visitors who would like to learn more about this region's history have a variety of opportunities, with local museums in all of the major Columbia Gorge communities and many smaller towns.

Here's a directory of these local resources:

Hood River County Museum - Wide-ranging collection of pioneer tools and artifacts. Port Marina Park in Hood River. Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. (541) 386-6772.

Hutson Museum - Adjoins Mt. Hood Railroad stop in Parkdale, Hood River County. Eclectic collection featuring Native American dolls, taxidermy and other displays. Hours vary by season. For details, call (541) 352-6808.

Cascade Locks Museum - 1 NW Portage Road near Port Marina Park in Cascade Locks. Open daily, May through September, from noon to 5 p.m. Closes November through April. Exhibits feature history of the Bridge of the Gods, early river navigation, and development of the portage and locks around the Cascades rapids. (The rapids were subsequently inundated by construction of Bonneville Dam in 1938). (541) 374-8535.

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Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum - Regional interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The Discovery Center focuses on natural history and human cultures of the scenic area. The museum traces the history of Wasco County, including both Native American history and pioneer development. Both facilities are open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (541) 296-8600, or check the website at www.gorgediscovery.org. Directions: Interstate 84 to The Dalles, then west on West Second Street (Highway 30) to the Crate's Point access road.

Fort Dalles Museum - Oldest historical museum in Oregon, established in 1905 to preserve the legacy of this regionally strategic military base. The ornate, wooden "Surgeon's Quarters" is the fort's last surviving building, and houses a variety of memorabilia. There's also a large collection of antique vehicles and wagons. Visitors are also able to tour the Anderson House, a hand-hewn wooden homestead crafted by Swedish immigrants. Fort Dalles Museum is located at 15th and Garrison in The Dalles. Directions: Open in April and May, Thursdays through Mondays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, museum is open daily from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. until Oct. 3. (541) 296-4547.

Original Wasco County Courthouse - This wood-frame building in The Dalles once was the seat of government for the largest county in the United States, when Wasco County extended to Montana. The old courthouse, constructed in 1858, is one of the oldest courthouses west of the Mississippi River. Directions: City Center exit toward downtown. Turn south just past the chamber, then left on West Second Place. 410 West Second Place. (541) 296-4798.

Rorick House - The oldest home in The Dalles was built by an officer stationed at Fort Dalles in 1850, and operates today as historical museum. Beginning Memorial Day, the Rorick House will welcome guests Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's located at 300 West 13th St., The Dalles. St. Peter's Landmark - Former Catholic Church in The Dalles, preserved as an historical museum. Completed in 1898, the building features Italian marble, Kilgen tigerwood pipe organ, 40-foot stamped metal ceilings, and 176-foot steeple. Its stained glass windows were created by the Povey Brothers of Portland, and many of these windows memorialize pioneer families. Wooden Madonna was carved from keel of a sailing ship. Third & Lincoln, The Dalles. Hours: 1 to 3 p.m. weekends, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. (541) 296-5686.

Granada Theatre - When it opened in 1929, the Granada Theatre in downtown The Dalles was the first "talkie" west of the Mississippi River. The building operated recently as a non-profit organization, but is currently closed. Visitors are welcome to view the exterior of this unique building on Second St.

Dufur Historical Museum - Located in the historic Schreiber Log Cabin on Main Street, featuring pioneer living history exhibits, weaving, old photos, farm implements and more. Museum opens late May and operates noon to 4 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays. Information: (541) 467-2349. Smock Prairie Schoolhouse - One-room schoolhouse and museum located in Wamic, on the old Barlow Trail. From The Dalles, drive south to Tygh Valley,then west to Wamic.

Sage Museum - Classic auto and wagon collection located in the historic city of Shaniko in southern Wasco County, once the world's largest inland wool shipping center. Shaniko itself has many historic buildings, including a restored hotel, city hall and jail, schoolhouse, wooden water tower, and surviving portions of the original business district, including old boardwalks. Shaniko is located 57 miles south of Biggs Junction on Highway 97, a few miles north of its junction with Highway 197.

Museum at Warm Springs - Native American cultures of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs are showcased in this facility near Kah-Nee-Tah resort. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except major holidays. From The Dalles, follow Hwy. 197 south to Hwy. 97, continue south to Madras and northwest along Hwy. 26 to Warm Springs. From Hood River, follow Highway 35 south to the Highway 26 junction, then head southeast on Highway 26 to Warm Springs. Information: (541) 553-3331.

D.J. & H. Museum - Rock and mineral collection with thundereggs, jaspers and other displays. Located west of Rufus on Highway 30. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. (541) 739-2816.

Sherman County Historical Museum - A window into Oregon's heartland, the museum comprises 14,280 square feet and more than 15,000 artifacts used by Native American families, Oregon Trail pioneers, rural households and other historic activities. From Interstate 84, take Highway 97 south from Biggs Junction to Mo ro. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, May through October. (541) 565-3232, or on-line, www.shermanmuseum.org.

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Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center - Located west of Stevenson, near Skamania Lodge off Washington Highway 14. The interpretive center features a Creation Theatre, 37-foot replica of a 19th Century fishwheel, restored Corliss steam engine, exhibit on Native American dip-netting, Columbia River navigation exhibit. From Interstate 84, take the bridge at Cascade Locks over the Columbia River to Washington Highway 14, then east. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (800) 991-2338.

Maryhill Museum - Premier art museum of the Columbia Gorge, Maryhill is located 100 miles east of Vancouver on Washington Hwy. 14. Native American and classical artifacts, Romanian royal family heirlooms, chess set collection, and one of the world's largest displays of Rodin sculptures. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 15. Maryhill Museum was built by Sam Hill, and was engineered to last a thousand years. From Interstate 84: Biggs Junction exit, then north on Hwy. 97 to Washington Hwy. 14, and west three miles. (509) 773-3733 or www.maryhillmuseum.org.

Gorge Heritage Museum - Pioneer history and Native American pre-history of the western Columbia Gorge. Photo displays, post office display, military items. 202 East Humboldt, Bingen. Hours: Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (509) 493-3228.

Klickitat County Museum - Presby Mansion in Goldendale features farm equipment, pioneer furnishings, tools and artifacts, in a classic Victorian home. 127 W. Broadway. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, April 1 through Nov. 1. Open house first Sunday in December 2004. Off-season by appointment. (509) 773-4303.

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