Glenn and Helen Otto House - Currently a private residence

The first known business at this site was the ClifVu Barbecue & Fountain, Mt. Hood Ice Cream restaurant. The location next to the bridge and on the Sandy River offered scenic dining and a great tourist destination.

It was then operated by Bob DeWeese as the Sandy River Lodge/Café. It was surrounded by flood waters in 1948, the same flood that destroyed Vanport 15 miles west of Troutdale.

Glenn & Helen Otto and their children bought the site using it as a home/café in 1951. Eventually they closed the café and occupied the entire building. Early on, the National Weather Service (NWS) enlisted Helen and her children to record water levels of the Sandy River using a gauge attached to the bridge. The quick-rising river levels reported by Helen to the NWS alerted them to the impending flood of 1964/65.

Right on the Sandy River, the Otto family was in a perfect location to capitalize on the smelt runs. They supplied dip nets and fed burgers to would-be fishermen and fisherwomen.

Glenn Otto was an electrician, Navy veteran, charter member of the Troutdale Historical Society, served in local government as City Councilor, and in Oregon Legislature for twenty years. As Troutdale's mayor (1967-1972), he expanded the boundaries of the city and built a sewer plant. Glenn Otto Community Park is named in his honor.

Helen Otto served as an Army nurse in World War II, operated the restaurant/café, was a charter member of the Troutdale Historical Society, served as legislative assistant to Glenn.

Nesbit, Sharon. It Could Have Been Carpdale. Pediment Publishing, 2007.