Historic Hood River
904 State Street
Notes
This fine house at 904 State Street looks pretty much the same today, though the urban forest has grown around it. If you don’t recognize it, it’s the house on the corner of State and 9th with the stump carved into a bear who offers wise sayings which change on a regular basis. Does anyone know the story behind the bear or his (her?) sayings?
An old caption on the reverse in what looks to me like Pansy DeWitt’s handwriting says “9th and State, Katherine and Rex.” We know from the Oregon Historic Sites Database entry this house was built by W.J. Baker in 1907, and later sold to the church across the street for use as a parsonage. The DeWitt’s lived next door, at 912 State Street (later Herman Kresse’s house) from 1908-1911. W.J. Baker was Pansy DeWitt’s father, so they were living next door to their in-laws for those years. We learned about W.J. Baker here. I believe “Katherine” was Pansy’s sister, Katherine Baker.
Jeffrey W Bryant
Image 300 shows 912 State Street, my old home.
Norma
I always knew Herman Kresse’s house to be on Montello Street between 9th and 10th Streets. Was told that Jerry Jaques lives there now.
ArthurB
Norma, the Kresse’s lived next door to this house for 3 years, 1908-1911. They built 1003 Montello much later in life: 1927 according the SHPO records. You are correct about the current owners.