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Days Long Gone

Maryhill Washington. Population 98. The town was conceived as a planned community at the turn of the 20th century by a Quaker named Sam Hill. He built the first paved roads in Washington state.

 

In 1918 in Maryhill, Sam Hill began buiding a replica of Stonehenge, which overlooks the Columbia River, as a tribute to local fallen soldiers during WWI.

 

Later most of the town burned and never recovered. Maryhill now consists of a few interesting old buildings, a few orchards and several trailer homes.

 

The town is situated at the eastern end of the Columbia Gorge (just outside of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area) and it's setting is breathtaking.

 

When most people think of Washington State, they think of Seattle, rain, Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier and tall trees. But Maryhill is on the dry side (east) of the Cascade Mountains, where it rarely rains. Sagebrush and short grass dominate the landscape as well as one of the worlds largest rivers, the Columbia.

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Uploaded on February 17, 2009
Taken on February 16, 2009