Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons

GTHH to Transition Toledo School Concession Stand to South Lewis County Chamber of Commerce

September 20, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) has successfully completed its effort to reopen and re-establish the Toledo School concession stand and will transition ongoing operation of the stand to the South Lewis County Chamber of Commerce.

The concession stand had been closed for several years before GTHH undertook the project to get it back into operation. With the stand now reopened and serving school athletic events, the South Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, with its larger volunteer base, is well positioned to provide the staffing needed for its continued operation.

GTHH extends its sincere appreciation to Dan Gorton, Lynnette Hoffman, Donna Buswell and Christine Mershon for the time, experience and effort they contributed to getting the concession stand up and running. GTHH also thanks the other volunteers and community members who helped make the reopening possible.

With the concession stand successfully reestablished, GTHH will now focus its efforts more directly on historical preservation and community revitalization projects, working in close collaboration with the Toledo Historical Society. GTHH will also continue its support of science and educational projects involving Toledo middle and high school students.

GTHH is proud to have played a role in bringing the concession stand back into service and looks forward to seeing it continue to serve Toledo students, families and the community under the leadership of the South Lewis County Chamber of Commerce.

Updates will be posted at www.gthh.org.

GTHH Brings Toledo History and Future Projects to Southwest Washington Fair

August 11–16, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) participated in the Southwest Washington Fair with an exhibit highlighting Toledo-area history, current projects, and plans for the future.

The GTHH booth featured a collection of late-1800s steamboat-era artifacts belonging to board member Lawrence F. Davidson, along with information about the historic Steamboat Toledo and plans to commemorate the 150th anniversary of its maiden voyage in 2028. Davidson's River Songs and Steamboat Tales CD and commemorative 150th anniversary buttons were also available.

A major attraction was Davidson's approximately seven-foot-long, 1:18-scale working model of the Steamboat Toledo, displayed as a work in progress. Although not yet complete, the model was partially operational, with its paddle wheel, remote-control system, and simulated smoke demonstrated for fair visitors. The exhibit gave visitors an opportunity to learn about the steamboat and its role in the history of Toledo and the surrounding region.

GTHH also introduced fair visitors to the Schillinger proposal for a historically themed gateway arch for the City of Toledo. The proposed project would incorporate imagery representing elements of the area's history and serve as a distinctive entrance to the community.

The exhibit generated strong interest and interaction from fair visitors throughout the week. GTHH received first-place recognition for booth engagement with fairgoers, reflecting the enthusiastic response to the historical displays, Steamboat Toledo presentation, model, and community project concepts.

GTHH Highlights Steamboat Toledo History and 150th Anniversary Plans at Toledo Cheese Days

July 11, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) participated in the annual Toledo Cheese Days celebration, joining the parade with a GTHH vehicle and later hosting a community booth near the Cheese Days car show.

The booth highlighted the history of the Steamboat Toledo and GTHH's recently announced proposal to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the steamboat's maiden voyage in 2028. The anniversary effort is intended to help preserve and share the story of the Steamboat Toledo and its connection to the history of Toledo and communities along the Cowlitz River.

Visitors were able to view a collection of late-1800s steamboat-era artifacts belonging to GTHH board member Lawrence F. Davidson and learn more about the period in which the Steamboat Toledo operated.

Davidson's River Songs and Steamboat Tales CD and commemorative 150th anniversary buttons were also available for purchase, with proceeds supporting GTHH's nonprofit activities.

GTHH appreciates the opportunity provided by Toledo Cheese Days to share local history with residents and visitors and to begin introducing the community to plans for the Steamboat Toledo's 150th anniversary in 2028.

GTHH Announces Steamboat Toledo 150th Anniversary Plans and River Songs and Steamboat Tales

July 6, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) has announced plans to begin developing a community celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Steamboat Toledo's maiden voyage in 2028.

The anniversary effort will focus on preserving and sharing the story of the Steamboat Toledo and its role in connecting Toledo with communities along the Cowlitz and Columbia rivers during the late 1800s. GTHH plans to work with community organizations and others interested in helping develop activities leading up to the 2028 anniversary.

As part of the effort to share the area's river and steamboat history, GTHH board member Lawrence F. Davidson also announced his original River Songs and Steamboat Tales CD. A quantity of the CDs has been donated to GTHH to support the organization's fundraising efforts.

The original songs draw upon river and steamboat themes and provide another way to share stories connected with the history and heritage of Toledo and the surrounding region.

Proceeds from CDs donated to GTHH will help support the nonprofit organization's programs and activities as planning for the Steamboat Toledo anniversary moves forward.

GTHH Participates in Winlock Egg Day Parade

June 20, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) participated in the annual Winlock Egg Day parade on June 20, continuing the organization's efforts to increase its visibility throughout the South Lewis County area.

GTHH joined the parade with a pickup displaying organization signage, providing another opportunity to introduce GTHH and its work to residents and visitors from neighboring communities.

Participation in community events such as Winlock Egg Day is part of GTHH's effort to build awareness of the organization and its work in historical preservation, education, and community revitalization.

GTHH Supports Toledo Middle School Water Quality Field Trip at Wallace Pond

June 6, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) board members joined Toledo Middle School students and staff at Wallace Pond on June 6 for a field trip focused on water quality testing and environmental education.

GTHH board members attended and assisted with the field activity, supporting the students as they conducted water quality testing at the pond.

The activity reflects GTHH's continuing interest in supporting educational opportunities that connect local students with the natural environment and their community.

GTHH Asked to Help Reopen Toledo School Concession Stand

June 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) has been asked by the Toledo School District to help reopen the concession stand serving school athletic events. The stand has been closed for several years.

GTHH will begin evaluating the work needed to return the facility to service and the requirements for operating the concession stand. The effort will include assessing the condition of the facility and equipment and determining what improvements will be needed before operations can begin.

Reopening the concession stand would restore a service for students, families, and visitors attending Toledo school activities while providing another opportunity for community involvement.

Additional information will be provided as plans for the concession stand develop.

GTHH Takes on Stewardship of Garden at South Lewis County Park

May 27, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) has volunteered to take on stewardship of the garden at South Lewis County Park following a May 27 discussion with Lewis County about the future care of the garden.

When the County asked about the possibility of involving a local garden club, GTHH explained that Toledo does not currently have a garden club and offered to take responsibility for helping care for and improve the garden.

As an initial step, GTHH volunteers cleaned the existing garden and improved its appearance. The cleanup is intended as an interim measure while GTHH begins considering a more comprehensive design for the garden this fall.

The garden provides another opportunity to improve South Lewis County Park while supporting GTHH's broader community revitalization efforts.

GTHH Volunteers Improve Picnic Area at South Lewis County Park

May 18, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) received permission from Lewis County on May 18 to prune low-hanging tree limbs in the picnic area at South Lewis County Park.

Some of the lower limbs had grown into areas used by park visitors and were low enough to interfere with people walking beneath the trees. Following approval from the County, GTHH board members spent two days carefully raising the tree canopy throughout the picnic area.

The work improved clearance around the picnic tables and walking areas while preserving the mature trees that provide shade and contribute to the character of the park.

The project is part of GTHH's continuing volunteer efforts to help improve South Lewis County Park for community use.

GTHH Participates in Vader May Day Parade

May 5, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) participated in the Vader May Day parade on May 5 as part of the organization's continuing effort to introduce GTHH and its mission throughout the South Lewis County area.

GTHH joined the parade with a pickup displaying organization signage, providing an opportunity to increase awareness of GTHH among residents and visitors from neighboring communities.

Participation in community events such as Vader May Day helps GTHH build connections throughout the area while increasing awareness of its work in historical preservation, education, and community revitalization.

GTHH Supports Wallace Pond Cleanup and Middle School Environmental Education

April 28, 2026

During the month of April, Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) continued its support of environmental improvement and educational activities associated with Wallace Pond and the Toledo Middle School Environmental Learning Center.

On April 10, a GTHH board member acquired a used 10-foot jon boat with an electric motor for use in cleanup work at Wallace Pond. The boat will provide access to areas of the pond that are difficult to reach from shore and support future cleanup activities.

On April 28, Lowe's in Longview donated $175 in tools for the Toledo Middle School Environmental Learning Center. The donated tools will help support hands-on environmental learning and related student activities.

GTHH appreciates Lowe's support of local environmental education and looks forward to continuing its work with the school and community on projects involving Wallace Pond.

Winter Flooding Slows Wallace Pond Project Activities

March 2026

Winter weather and high water along the Cowlitz River slowed Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) project activities at Wallace Pond during the early months of 2026.

Between January and early March, two periods of severe flooding caused water to overtop Wallace Pond, limiting opportunities for cleanup and other work around the pond.

Despite the weather-related delays, GTHH continued planning for future cleanup, environmental improvement, and educational activities at Wallace Pond as conditions allowed.

With spring approaching, GTHH looks forward to resuming more active work at the pond and continuing its support of environmental education and community improvement efforts.

Toledo Hardware Supports Wallace Pond Beaver Mitigation Effort

January 6, 2026

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons (GTHH) received a donation of field wire fencing from Toledo Hardware to support ongoing beaver mitigation efforts at Wallace Pond in South Lewis County Park.

The donated fencing will assist with efforts to protect areas around the pond while allowing GTHH and community partners to continue working toward long-term improvements at the park.

GTHH appreciates Toledo Hardware's support and its contribution toward local environmental and community improvement efforts.