Stonehedge Gardens was built in 1898 by the Skene family, owners of a Portland lumber yard. Materials were barged up the Columbia River over the span of ten summers. Primarily a summer getaway, the first full-time residents of Stonehedge moved in in 1928. It was their home until they sold it in 1973. The commercial renovation completed by the new owners, Joan and Connie Smith, took almost three years. They enclosed the patio, and added the rear kitchen, bar and restrooms. Stonehedge Inn opened in 1977 to rave reviews, developing a loyal customer base from Seattle to Portland and throughout the Gorge.

Jean Harmon, a local schoolteacher, bought Stonehedge Inn from the Smiths and ran it successfully for another thirteen years, winning numerous culinary awards and providing a haven for top-notch chefs, including Mark Dowers from Caprial’s.

Mike and Shawna Caldwell bought Stonehedge from Jean in 2000. Mike was a former student of Jeans’ at Hood River Valley High School. And a former prep cook in the kitchen at Stonehedge during high school, stuffing twice-baked potatoes for hours, which will never be served at Stonehedge again.

Mike was the Maitre d’ at the Columbia Gorge Hotel for a number of years and then the Cellarmaster at Flerchinger Vineyards for several more years after that. He wrote “Varietal Tendencies” while working at the winery. His wife Shawna, our chef, was the art teacher at Hood River High, and a wonderful cook. Together, with a large family and a great staff they invite you to stroll the terraces and “lighten up.”