Historic Hood River
In Front of Deitz Studio, 1913
3-6-2013
Notes
We’ve seen the location of Deitz’ photo studio on State Street at the top of Second in this and this view. The caption is a bit unclear, but that may be Earl Deitz himself posing with his wagon and horse team.
This stretch of State Street will be transformed yet again during the next year. It will be rebuilt as the final phase of the downtown urban renewal project which was started in the 1980s.
charlott
Wonder what the A L C stands for on the horses collar?
This photo of the team gives a wonderful detailed look at all the things that had to be hooked up to those horses to get them ready to pull a wagon or in this case a sled. Just goes to prove that getting a team ready to move out was no easy task. Another good view of how well these horses were cared for to provide "bread and butter" to the owners table.
spinsur
I’ll go out on the proverbial limb here, and suggest that ALC is something lumber company, that’s a logging sled, and there’s a second cross tree for an additional team to be hooked up when he gets to the woods. Going to be a long winter day, he’s got his lunch and lantern, greased boots, and sou’wester on. He’s a woods worker, and he’s probably the "A" in ALC stopping at the studio for a pic of his team. How’s that for a picture tells a thousand words!
l.e.
Great description spinsur. I got the logging sled but missed all of the other minute details that foretell a day of work ahead.
I grew up with horses, but, I also grew up with the modern day car. One time I said to my dad that I would have no idea how to harness a horse. He replied that he could do it blindfolded.
As Charlott says, they were an important part of everyday life.
charlott
Yes, I think spinsur has nailed it on the head. A L no doubt was the name and the C stood for probably company.
nels
In the background is a house with multiple round support posts. Isn’t that still there?
Arthur
nels, the studio was right at the top of Second Street, where Memorial Overlook Park is today. The house with he round support posts was probably where the parking lot for the courthouse is today. I think this is a pretty close match to the spot: http://goo.gl/maps/ZXzLf
Arthur
The Hood River Glacier’s 1904 census lists A.L. Carmichael as a merchant, so I’m going to guess this is his team, and maybe even him– until l.e. tracks down his genealogy and proves me wrong.
l.e.
In the 1910 census Andrew L. Carmichael was 47 years old living on 12th street with his wife Clara age 37 married 4 years. No children listed. Occupation: Dry Goods merchant. In 1920 they are living in Vancouver, WA. He is listed as Railroad inspector.
In 1910 43 year old Horace Deitz and family are living on State St. His occupation is picture gallery. His 18 year old son Earl is a fruit farm laborer but living with the family.
In 1920 Horace is living on, I think 9th St. in the Waucoma precinct. He is a photographer in a shop.
Earl and his wife Helen are back in Maine living with her parents. Earl is a clerk in a meat market.
In 1930 Earl is 38 years old. He has been married to Helen for 20 years. They live on a farm in Pine Grove.
l.e.
I’m guessing this could be Earl Deitz in front of his dad’s photography shop.
Which doesn’t solve the ALC question.
l.e.
Is it just coincidence That Matt’s last name is Carmichael?
db
I’ve never seen harness configured quite like this. No girth, and the near side strap from the breeching goes under his belly and between his front legs. That part with the initials seems to be largely decorative. Also, wouldn’t they use heavier draft horses if this bob sled were used for logging? Perhaps the horse people out there know.
l.e.
There is evidently a collection of Horace Deitz photographs at U of O.
But, I am not sure how you access them other than a trip to Eugene.
Horace C. Deitz photographs
PH200_104: 0.01 lin. ft./1 container
Horace C. Deitz was active in Hood River, OR 1907-1915.
http://library.uoregon.edu/speccoll/photo/abstracts.html