Historic Hood River
“Not to Exceed $45,000”
Notes
In May 1920 the voters of the City of Hood River approved a $45,000 bond to acquire a new fire engine to replace the antiquated 1904 chemical engine, as well as build a new city hall top replace the old city hall on 4th Street. This bond was based on a $35,000 construction estimate for the building and $12,000 for the engine. That’s roughly equivalent to $570,000 and $195,000 in 2024 dollars. You can read more about the plans here.
This postcard shows the result: a shiny new 1920 American LaFrance fire engine and an attractive building with room for the City Council, staff, fire department and the constable.
In 2011 the building underwent a major renovation, but it looks substantially the same. The city council chambers still function as they did in 1920 when Mayor Scobee presided.
Tags: 1920s, 2nd Street, American Lafrance, City Hall, fire, fire station
Bill Seaton
Around 1950, Hood River Civic Theater used the big room on the top floor in the evenings to rehearse Arsenic and Old Lace.
kmb
They built that city hall building for $570,000 in 2024 dollars? Hard to believe considering you can barely build a decent home these days for that kind of money.
Ellen Shapley
Designed by J W Swope who lived in Hood River. Lots of info on him in the Glacier and other architecture publications.