Currently, the
Bridge of the Gods, is a white,
steel span
bridge that crosses the
Columbia River near
Cascade Locks (on the
Oregon side) and
Stevenson (on the
Washington side). It was built in 1926, however, due to
the Great Depression, it was not raised until 1938. It was, for a time, one of the better (and only) places one could cross the river upstream of
Portland with using a boat. Despite its relatively recent
vintage, its name references a much older
legend.
(I'm a little out of practice, and there are about a dozen versions of this legend floating around. So, if I've made any mistakes, somebody correct me or post an alternate version.)
The
Natives of the Lower
Columbia River tell a story about a
bridge of
rock and
earth that once spanned the
Columbia River, some legends call it Tamanous, others call it Tabmahnawis, and still others have different names for it, but it is best known among the
white settlers and their descendants as the
Bridge of the Gods. For, you see it was formed by
Tyee Sahale, as gift for the Multnomah and the Klickitat people, who would be joined by it as long as they were good and friendly with each other.
Many years passed, and the two peoples began to
quarrel among themselves, becoming
selfish and
greedy.
Tyee Sahale, angered, deprived the people of
fire and they suffered in the
cold and
rain. Finally, they begged
Tyee Sahale for fire, for mercy, and so he granted it to them. For, you see, one old woman had remained kind and selfless and giving, and her name was Loowit.
So,
Tyee Sahale went to her and said, "If your share your
fire, I will give you anything you wish."
"Then," she said,"I wish for eternal you and beauty."
So, Tyee Sahale granted her wish and instructed her to tend her fire in the middle of the bridge, so that both peoples could take some of her fire with them. This she did, and by the setting of sun, the lodges were again filled with the flicker of flames. Because of her great beauty, however, two young leaders of the peoples, one from the north and one from the south, fought for her attention. Pahtoe was from the north and he was somewhat older and a skilled warrior. While, Wy'east, from the south, even though younger and less skilled, was an able and enthusiastic fighter. Their rivalry soon turned to violence into which they drew their two peoples. Tyee Sahale saw this, turned Pahtoe and Wy'east into mountains that are today known as Mount Adams and Mount Hood, and then, Loowit herself became a mountain, one which is known today as Mount St. Helens. Then, he came to the river and destroyed the bridge. Even after they were transformed, the two leaders continued to battle, throwing flaming rocks at one another, some of which missed the mark and fell into the Columbia River. Finally, they stopped quarreling, and peace returned to land between them. Pahtoe, being older and wiser, realized what had happened and hung his head in shame, which is why Mount Adams seems so low despite still being great. While, Wy'east, still young and proud, held his head high, hoping that Loowit would see him, which is why Mount Hood though smaller comes to a great peak. Thus, it was the wickedness and jealousy of the two leaders which destroyed the Bridge of the Gods, and divided the peoples.