About Skamania County, WA

In 1850 Hamilton Island which Lewis & Clark originally named "Strawberry Island", became the site of the first portage railroad and settlement of the Cascades. A severe flood in 1894 swept away the settlement. In 1933 the community of North Bonneville developed as a construction town next to the massive Bonneville Lock, Dam, and powerhouse project. The town of North Bonneville was incorporated in 1935.

In 1971, the Columbia's north shore where North Bonneville was located was selected by federal agencies as the site for the second Powerhouse. With the prospect of being displaced the townspeople were determined to relocate their community. Efforts were made by citizens' groups and planning assistance from state sources finally led to agreements with the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers for the design and construction of a new town. The chosen town site was prepared for the initial community of 600 people as the old town was devoured by the enormous excavation for the new powerhouse.

In March 1978 the transfer to the new town site was made, although much work still remained to be done.

It was a seven-year effort to relocate the residents and businesses of the town. The $35 million relocation project included raising the new town site above the 100-year flood plain, construction of streets, utilities, lighting, sewage system, water supply and sewage treatment plant, flood protection, parks, a central business district and all public buildings. Residents and business were furnished temporary housing until they could build their own permanent homes and facilities. The new town was built to accommodate 1500 residents. A celebration of the successful relocation was held July 29, 1978.

Today the city of North Bonneville is a quiet community with plenty of green spaces, parks, walking trails and a golf course. It is surrounded by the beautiful gorge mountains in both Oregon and Washington, near Beacon Rock State Park, and about 45 minutes from Vancouver and Portland.

The Bonneville Hot Springs Resort nearby offers lodging,dining, Hot Mineral Spring baths, massages & body treatments.

The Bonneville Lock and Dam interpretive staff will host its annual Great Electrifying Event on Sat Feb. 23, 2008 in the Bradford Island Visitor Center from 10am to 4 pm

This is a free educational event that is designed to teach the basics of electricity and how it is generated at the Bonneville Lock and Dam. This program is geared toward elementary and middle school students but will be fun and informative for the entire family. There will be hands-on activities and films. You can also take a tour of Bonneville's historic First Powerhouse.

Here's the latest sales data for Skamania County from the RMLS.

Skamania- 0 sales Sale Pending- 1 home

North Bonneville- 0 sales Sale Pending- 3 homes

Stevenson-3 sales $200,000, $255,000 & $293,600 Sale Pending-5 homes

Carson- 3 Sales $147,897, $289,000, & $363,000 Sale Pending- 1 home

Home Valley- 0 sales Sale Pending- 0 homes

Cook/Underwood/Mill A/Willard - 0 sales Sale Pending- 0 homes

Total homes Sold Dec 2007 Skamania County- 6 homes Total currently Sale Pending- 10 homes