Rhododendron is on the Mount Hood Loop Highway. It was once a popular summer colony but with the increased popularity of skiing it has become a year-round community. The place was originally called Rowe for Henry S. Rowe, who was one time mayor of Portland and interested in the development of Oregon's scenic attractions. Later the post office was known as Zigzag. Still later the name was changed to Rhododendron because of the large number of rhododendron shrubs growing in the neighborhood.