This was April 15, 1947, Umatilla. The cornerstone of a new empire was laid in the shifting sands on the Oregon shore of the Columbia river at Umatilla, Tuesday afternoon…a cornerstone of an edifice of progress which has been in the making for more than a quarter of a century. . . the gigantic McNary Dam.

While an officially estimated 8,000 men, women and children of the Pacific Northwest looked on. . . stilled for the moment by the significance of the occasion. . . Mrs. Charles L. McNary dug into the mobile terra firm near Umatilla rapids with an aluminum shovel and as she lifted the coarse earth, she also lifted the hearts of the people of a whole region who had worked incessantly toward such an event since 1921. It was the physical start of “Charley’s Dam.” Named in honor of the late Oregon senator who spearheaded the project to its authorization through the halls of congress, the barrier to harness-power in a relatively short space of time will arise to forever cover from the eyes of man the scene of yesterday’s ceremony.

It was entirely appropriate that Mrs. McNary should dig into the sands of the Columbia with a specially constructed shovel and to let its contents trickle into a similar…but gaily be-ribboned specially constructed bucket, the two symbolical of the age of progress and the happiness of a people.

The dedication held at 2:00 P.M. and broadcast to the nation over a radio network, was staged on a barge anchored parallel to the shore at the damsite, except for the moment when Mrs. McNary broke ground. Dignitaries of three states of the northwest, representatives of the federal government, leaders of the organizations that fought so long for the development and others of note were gathered on the barge, with Governor Earl Snell of Oregon, chief speaker.

On this same spring-fevered day, prior to the dedication ceremonies, the greatest parade ever to move through the sprawling streets of Umatilla, a town laid out over a large expanse of land in expectancy of the rosy future… launched the McNary dam dedication, a procession that took hours to pass a given point and which thoroughly portrayed the enthusiasm of the Inland Empire of the Columbia river development.

From The Dalles to LaGrande, and from Yakima to Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater, every community of importance was in the line of march…with mounted organizations, floats, musical and marching organizations. It was a colorfull spectacle the like of which this count may never see again. Forming at the Umatilla high school, the parade moved toward the Umatilla

Following the colors, the parade was led by the Walla Walla Wagon Wheelers, then came the cars carrying the guest of honor. Mrs. Charles L. McNary of Washington, D.C.; Janis Paige, “Miss Damsite” of Tacoma and Hollywood; Governor Earl Snell, of Oregon and others, honored for the occasion. Members to he first Umatilla Rapids Association organization in 1921 rode in a special car followed by the Geiger Field air force band from Spokane, Wash. Trim uniformed and smartly stepping Prosser girls proceeded the Umatilla high school band and then came the always showy and rythmic Booster Girls marchers and bugle and rum corps from the Dalles, on and on they came, filling the spring air with joyous music, music that came from happy hearts. . . and thus did April 15, 1947 pass at McNary.

The screen brightens with the heat of summer, presents a myriad of technicolor in a burst of greens, oranges, browns, and purples of fall, frosted beneath and furlined clothing heralds the passing of a winter. . . then we look on as another dedication is underway. . . on a date in April, 15, 1948. Residents of this McNary damsite community turned out en masse on a Thursday, to dedicate a new high school, honor a former teacher and celebrate the first anniversary of the beginning of the McNary dam.

Honored was tiny, grey-haired former teacher, Miss Ina Gilbert. . . Over-shadowed by distinguished persons responsible for the authorization of McNary dam, Miss Gilbert was unaware of the honor until the main speaker arose for his address.

Al Stephens, Umatilla’s oldest resident, was the first to give the hint to more than 400, who jammed the speaker’s platform for the surprise ceremony. Looking directly at the smiling former teacher, he said: “Almost 40 years ago, when Umatilla was but a little huddle of homes, around the railroad, a little lady who is here today joined the Umatilla school staff as one of its teacher.

“For four decades and two generation, through lean years and prosperous, through two world wars, she helped Umatilla’s children to go into the higher grades, better boys and girls because of knowing her.”

Stephens concluded his address with: “Miss Gilbert, on behalf of the school board of the Umatilla school district, on behalf of the community and upon behalf of the multitude of students and parents who hold you so highly in their esteem, I have the honor of announcing that the new Umatilla school playfield, east of our new high school, shall henceforth be called Ina Gilbert Field’, in your honor.”

Shaken by the emotion and the thunderous applause, the little lady, could not speak. After the ceremony she asked William Nugent, head of the festivities, ‘To thank them all’ for her “One Day”.

Umatilla High’s, 40-piece band added the musical notes to the festivities. The Glee club, composed of Darlene Eldridge, Lena M. Crume, Alline Flannigan, Judy Carlson, Tommy Parrish, Mary Barbouletoes, Georgia Snead, Jane Thurston, Bill Carlson, Alan Hiatt, Jimmy Baldwin, Lawrence Kerr and Richard Bray, sang two original songs dedicated to the Corps of Engineer’s officials and Miss Gilbert.

Women of Umatilla served a bountiful lunch on the school lawn, which was gaily decorated to commemorate the occasion for the entire attendance.

Inspection of the new school building followed the luncheon. Inside the main entrance of the new high school, on a polished walnut stand, rested the ceremonial shovel and first bucket of earth for the McNary Dam. . . by Mrs. Charles McNary, at ceremonies here a year ago.

Also, on this day, April 15, 1948, McNary Dam activities read thusly. . . .

Today finds the first construction phase nearly completed. George Schoch, construction superintendent for the Corps of Engineers, estimated the giant cofferdam on the Washington shore of the Columbia river would be completed within 40 days. Excavation for the locks is virtually completed. Next phase. . . construction of the locks, fishways and half the spillway on the Washington end of the dam. . . will depend upon the amount of money congress appropriates.

Man days in May 1947 totaled 400, but during March this year this total had jumped to 16,000. An appropriate of $40,000,000 this year would make possible the employment of some 2,000 men by early next year. Schoch related, “Some 140 engineers” were working on the multi-purpose project at present. Mean while, across from North McNary, this was happening during early May of 1948. . . [see mcntown.htm to learn about what was happening at McNary Townsite in May of 1948]