Vista House at Crown Point, Oregon, stands high above the Columbia River Gorge as both a memorial to Oregon pioneers and a traveler facility on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Conceived by consulting engineer Samuel Lancaster as an observatory for appreciating the scenery, it was designed by Edgar M. Lazarus in an Art Nouveau style influenced by Jugendstil. Built from 1916 to 1918, the octagonal stone structure combines a dramatic overlook with unusually rich materials and finishes for a roadside stop. Though funding fell largely to Multnomah County after private fundraising fell short, the building became one of the highway’s best-known landmarks and was extensively restored in the early 21st century.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Attribution

Orient, Oregon · USA