A Century of Service. A Legacy Still Growing.
On November 15, 1926, 28 local leaders gathered with a simple but powerful belief: when neighbors come together in service, communities thrive.
From that meeting, the The Dalles Lions Club was born — chartered by Lions Clubs International and rooted in a promise that still guides us today:
We Serve.
For 100 years, Lions in The Dalles have built parks, funded pools, screened children’s vision, supported families in crisis, mentored youth, rung bells in the cold, and yes, shared more than a few laughs along the way.
This is not just a history of projects.
It is the story of people who chose to step forward.
Click below to explore our decades of impact.
1926–1940s: Foundations of Service
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By the mid-1940s, Lions were building stone restrooms at Sorosis Park, participating in the construction of the community natatorium, founding what would become the Ted Walker Invitational Swim Meet, and beginning a Christmas bell-ringing tradition for the Salvation Army that continues today.The early Lions didn’t just meet. They built.
Shortly after being chartered in 1926, the Club began shaping the physical and civic landscape of The Dalles. Lions helped move the historic Vogt Fountain to Sorosis Park and even performed “The Wedding Waters Play” to dramatize the importance of the Bonneville Dam project
100 Years. Still Serving.
Projects will evolve. Needs will change. New Lions will step forward. But the promise made in 1926 remains unchanged.
We Serve. And we’re just getting started.
