Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society: photos

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center has added thousands of new photos to the photo archives including photos from the Wasco County Pioneer Association archives.

There is now over 17,000 photos centering on Wasco County and the Columbia Gorge area.

Photos from notable photographers like Benjamin Gifford and B.C. Markham, journalists

George Lindsey and selections from Elite and Bolton Studios in The Dalles have been added as well as the photo archive from the Wasco County Pioneer Association.

CGDC Photo Archive

2026 Programs and Events

January 10 - Social History and Your Genealogical Research
Febuary- All Saturdays of the month- Original Wasco County Courthouse History Forums
March 14- Kenneth R. Marks - How to Develop Critical Online Newspaper Research Skills
April 11 - Ft. Dalles Tour
May - IOOF Photo Requests
June 5 - Membership Luncheon
Summer Break- July and August
September 19- Brian Rhinehart-Navigating the Records From The War of 1812
Oct. 17 - National Family History Month - Intro to Genealogy-Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

Pioneers of The West

Header Photo: Helen Lundeberg created this painting while employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. Like other WPA artists, Lundeberg depicted a hopeful view of the United States during a time of turmoil and uncertainty by showing a dreamlike image of western expansion. The group of pioneers, with their backs to the viewer, follows an ox-drawn wagon into a valley. The monumental figures appear strong and assured in their forward progress. Rising mountains melt into the sun. Lundeberg's style of mixing fantastic images with reality is evident in the background: The pink, rolling mountains blend into the orange, pink, and bluish haze of the sky; it is difficult to determine where the mountains end and the sky begins. The careful use of space and dreamlike elements in Pioneers of the West is representative of Lundeberg's postsurrealist style. This movement, derived from surrealism, purposely combined fantasy with reality and was predominantly found on the West Coast. (Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27) GSA: Information and images created or owned by the GSA unless otherwise indicated, are considered in the public domain. They may be distributed or copied as permitted by applicable law.

Photo Archives Updated At The Columbia Gorge Discover Center

Preserving Photos and Documents - January Recap