The Historical Museum

The Historical Museum was founded in 1969 and is managed by a member volunteer commission. Cascade Locks takes pride in the presentation of our history, preserved for your enjoyment and that of future generations.

Museum Highlights: River locks, Oregon Pony locomotive, Columbia Gorge Native American History, and regional history.

The Oregon Pony

The Oregon Pony steam locomotive was the first of its kind to be built on the Pacific Coast and the first to be used in the Oregon Territory. Until the Oregon Pony went to work in 1862, the conveyances were flat cars running on rails, equipped with benches for passengers and pulled by mules.

Shortly after the Pony was put into service, canopies were added to protect the passengers and their goods from the hot, sooty water that rained down on everything as the little locomotive steamed along.