Historic Hood River
Third and Oak
Notes
We’re really glad to have so many negatives from Alva Day, but I do wonder why there are a dozen views of the erection of a new utility pole and just a single view of something like this. Even with Photoshop to clean up the poor exposure and the badly scratched negative it’s still not entirely clear what we’re looking at. It seems like there is a very primitive tank at the corner of Third and Oak. There must be a story here– maybe someone from WAAAM can fill us in?
I’m dating this as circa 1917, but maybe the old car experts can verify the period.
[Ed. Note, December 2024:] We’ve finally tracked down the date of this image to a May 1919 visit by a French whippet (light tank) as part of a war bond drive. You can read about the exploits of this tank in Hood River here and here. You’ll recognize many of the names of the people organizing the visit: George Thomsen, J.H. Fredricy, Art Kolstad, and R. E. Scott to name a few. Is suspect they are the men clustered to the right of the tank in this image.
Tags: 1910s, 3rd Street, Alva Day, automobile, Mystery Monday, Oak Street, tank
charlott
First thing I ;noticed is the wonderful old clock on the bank building isn’t there yet.
Hey Mr. Mayor we need to get that clock up and bonging again!!!!!
What do the signs say on the shops in the basement of the bank building?
Jim Gray
Noticed the clock missing also, R.E. Scott Ins. & Western Union under the bank, looks like a WW1 tank to me, hard to tell on the cars but they look like early to mid 20’s , the streets look so wide in this shot
l.e.
What is the man on the left doing?
Looks like a military man standing on the tank. Surely there must be something written somewhere about this.
And why this street?
Dr. Steelhead Catcher
The tank does look like the M1917 6 ton….a French design tank.
My guess is it broke down after being delivered by train and awaiting the AAA to tow it.
In the mean time, it drew a crowd and was being used as an enlistment tool by the US Army as the USA was still at war in Europe.
l.e.
I thought of it being delivered by train, but would it have come up this street?
Also wondering where the National Guard building was located at this time?
Rawhyde
Note the cars up the street (on the steeper section) using the curb to augment their flimsy brakes.
Arthur
I see Jim’s filled in the signs below the First National Bank. The only one I can add is the Liberty Theater sign just west of the bank, and there is a temporary sign announcing some sort of "Ball" there Sunday night.
The man to the left seems to be holding some sort of signs, one of which starts with the word "keep". He was moving so it is blurred. He is standing by a wooden ramp from the street to the sidewalk.
Arthur
I’ll add that no one seems to be in a military uniform, and there is only one child (to the right w/ an adult) so maybe this is a weekday
RALPH
Is the man holding a sign or leaning on a sign embedded in a concrete base?
Arthur
Good call Ralph, the sign is probably mounted on the base and the man is just standing behind it. Perhaps this is during the Butler Bank construction (1923-24) and the sign is directing people to walk on the other side of the street?
l.e.
I tried to find out when Ray Scott first opened his insurance business but no luck yet.
Jeffrey Bryant
R. E. & Tom Scott Insurance was established in 1914.
Ellen Dittebrandt
Maybe they are towing it by man power and now taking a rest. Maybe it is a new orchard tool. Or something for a movie.
Arthur Babitz
After 12 years I finally have a date for this post, one of my favorites in the collection. This tank visited Hood River in May 1919. I’ve updated the post with links to newspaper articles describing this special day in Hood River history.
DAVID
If waiting for AAA good luck!…Maybe since it’s 2025 in 65 minutes (to me)..It may be there.. Only tow you 25 miles..(;+)……………………….