Historic Hood River
30 Years
Notes
What a difference 30 years makes. This view of 413-415 Oak Street is from Sally Donovan’s 1993 downtown survey. The building was constructed circa 1909 as a mortuary, and it served as the Spaulding Dry Cleaners for some years.
The 1993 view is a solid examples of the “don’ts” of historic preservation:
Don’t replace original storefronts with a “modern” facade. Not sure why so many storefronts were closed in during the mid twentieth century, but you can be pretty sure the original building had display windows as well as transom windows above to let in plenty of light. Often transoms are removed to allow for a drop ceiling which hides modern utilities. (though it’s possible the left side was a garage entrance originally)
Don’t paint brick: it will eventually peel, requiring sandblasting before repainting, which damages the old bricks and mortar. Some of the early Hood River brick buildings were made with exceptionally soft brick, so this can be even more of a problem.
Fortunately this building had been renovated again, removing some of the earlier mistakes.
Note the overhead utility lines and broken curbs/sidewalks (pre-urban renewal) and the “pay telephone” (ask an older friend).
L. E.
Interesting about the brick, and I missed the pay telephone. thanks for pointing it out.
Arlen L Sheldrake
As I remember visits to downtown London and their preservation rules….do whatever you want in the interior, but the outside facade must remain unaltered.
Jeffrey Bryant
I remember these buildings, or those adjoining, as Lotte’s Thrift Shop (Lottie Flint Farra) and Hood River News. Lottie Farra lived up the street at the corner of Sixth and Oak.