RIDGEFIELD — Historic Summit Grove Lodge in partnership with the Hannah Mayhew Daggett Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, and the Clark County Historical Museum recently dedicated a new historical interpretive plaque Aug. 20 at Summit Grove Lodge, 30810 N.E. Timmen Road in Ridgefield.
The event included a welcome and dedication by representatives from Summit Grove Lodge and the Colf Family, remarks from Cynthia Swanson, state marking and preservation chair of CDXVIIC, and brief comments from Clark County Historical Museum Executive Director Brad Richardson. This new historical interpretive plaque highlights the important history of Summit Grove Lodge.
In the 1920s, the Summit Grove property became a stop for travelers using service stations and auto parks on the Pacific Highway. Notable guests included George Brent, Oliver Hardy and Shirley Temple. The lodge has retained its signature rustic architectural style from its original construction in the 1920s and is the only remaining example of the “Naturalism” movement of the early 20th century tied to the auto-tourism phenomenon in Clark County.
Margaret Colf Hepola and her sons, Richard and Bob Colf, purchased the property in 2009. The Colf family maintains an event and restaurant business at the site, and continues to preserve the history and memory of the prominent local and national figures associated with Summit Grove.
