How Sandy has Changed; History Old and New Showcased in Sandy

By Abby Haney

The Tollgate Inn in during its construction phase of the building. Today it includes a restaurant, saloon and bakery for everyone to enjoy.

Since 1913, Sandy has been an incorporated town and popular spot to visit when people travel to Mt. Hood. Joe's Donuts, a business since 1974, and Tollgate, started in 1980, are named “iconic buildings” by Sandy; the popularity of Joes and Tollgate illuminates their iconic presence in Sandy. Joe’s is even famous for its notable red-white checkered pattern, noticeable by tourists and residents alike. Even after about 50 years, both businesses are thriving. New businesses have joined Sandy’s streets but some are more recent than you think. 

In 2001, Sandy’s mayor at the time, Linda Malone gave a speech at a Sandy Chamber of Commerce event detailing changes that occurred during that past year, challenges they were going to face going forward and the new attractions they hoped to add to Sandy. Through this speech, many can see the numerous changes Sandy had from then and even before then. 

A popular spot for everyone of all ages is Sandy Cinema. The first moving film was in 1878, but Sandy didn’t have its own theatre, Sandy Cinema, until 2002. 

Past mayor Linda Malone dedicated lots of her time as mayor to improving Sandy’s arts. She established concerts and movies showing in the park however, a major goal of hers was to build a theatre in Sandy. 

“I do hope to be able to offer movies in Sandy in the near future,” Malone said in her “Changes, Challenges and Coming Attractions” speech in 2001. 

While this goal wasn’t accomplished in 2001, it did the following year, a step forward for both Malone and citizens. Today, Sandy’s citizens still enjoy the cinema and will continue in the future. 

Sandy High School is an important landmark for the town, being the only high school in the Oregon Trail School District. It first was built and occupied in 1914 with 11 students enrolled. The first graduating class was in 1917 of three students: Dorothy Couper, Sabra Deaton and Gertrude Meinig. 

Sandy High School, originally known as Sandy Union High School, has lived in different locations but for the majority of its life it resided in the Pioneer Building. The Pioneer Building became SHS home in 1923. Today, Cedar Ridge Middle School is located in the Pioneer Building. In 2012, the high school moved location to where it’s today, expanding its size and offerings.

1941 view of the Pioneer Building, old home of SHS and current home of Cedar Ridge Middle School. It was built in 1923 and held Sandy High School until 2012.

Many citizens enjoy the Sandy Public Library, finding comfort in their many programs and shelves of books. In 2001, Malone stated in her speech numerous ways the library improved at that time, including expanding its hours. 

“The early hours are very convenient and are growing in popularity,” Malone said in her speech. 

Other changes the library saw in 2001 included, a completed inventory of the books, displays and traveling shows offered and a book drop added in 2000. These changes were supported by the Friends of the Sandy Library, a nonprofit supporting the library through donations and fundraising. 

“We have been lucky to have a very motivated and involved Friends group at the library,” Malone said in her speech. 

The library is continuing to improve in order to extend a hand to more people. They are currently working on raising money for their new mobile library which will support local communities with STEM activities, mobile library checkout, computers and printing services. Some areas it will visit include schools, parks, senior centers and adult care facilities; the library is working to support all ages. They even just recently received a grant to support the mobile from Oregon Community Foundation.  

Even though these changes occurred 25 years ago, they have marked Sandy’s history books. Sandy today is known for its current thriving businesses, even though some only first began in the 2000s. Past historic businesses shaped Sandy but todays are continuing on the legacy of shaping what we know today as Sandy. 

Abby Haney is the Editor-In-Chief at Sandy High School for the Pioneer Press and is a writer at large for The Sandy Historical Society.