The Battle Axe Inn was built on the same site as the Huckleberry Inn.
(Photo provided by Mt Hood Cultural Center and Museum Collection)
Government Camp began
in 1849. This was when the first U.S. regiment of Mounted Riflemen
crossed the plains into Oregon country arriving at the Dalles.
Most of the troops and their equpment were transported downriver
to Vancouver, Washington by boat. The remaining troops expected
to follow when boats became available. Plans changed, however,
and the troops were ordered to proceed to Oregon City by the
Oregon Trail. Bogged down by mud and snow, with half of the livestock
lost or dead and soldiers near total exhaustion, Lt. David Frost
abandoned 45 Cavalry wagons in October, 1849, before starting
down Laurel Hill. Their noted presence beside the Barlow Road
became the nameake of the alpine village - Government Camp. The
Barlow Road allowed thousands of Oregon Trail emigrants to travel
overland to the Willamette Valley rather than risk floating the
dangerous Columbia River. The route skirted today's Ranger Station,
located just across Highway 26, and passed within feet of this
location. Travelers went on through what is now the village of
Government Camp, proceeding west toward the infamous Laurel Hill.Located two miles west of Goverment Camp,
the challenging Laurel Hill descent earned a reputation amoung
pioneers as a troublesome part of the Oregon Trail. Emigrants
had to lower wagons down a series of steep rocky chutes from
ropes snubbed to trees, or drag big logs behind them in hopes
they wouldn't careen down the ravines."Come to Laurel Hill. The is the worst
hill on the road from the states to Oregon..." Diary of Absalom Harden, 1847.
