Samuel Kimbrough Barlow, an Oregon pioneer from Kentucky, built the first wagon road across the Cascade Mountains passing this spot in 1845 - 1846. The opening of this road enabled settlers to bring their wagons and teams directly to the Willamette Valley and was of greater importance to the community than the building of railways since. Susannah Lee Barlow, wife of S.K. Barlow, was a Real Daughter of the Revolution and the real Madonna of the Barlow Trail, arriving in Oregon City on Dec. 25 1845.