Historic Hood River
“This Is Our Little Town!”
6-25-2013
Notes
I think this classic postcard view is from the 1940s. Unfortunately the focus isn’t great on all the projecting signs, but I can pick out the Apple Blossom Cafe, Kier Drugs, and the Paris Fair on the left, and J.C.Penney, Parkins Mens Wear, a bakery and a barber shop on the right. My favorite sign is the Optometrist eyes peering through glasses.
The margin of the card is inscribed, “This is our little town! But it’s a dandy!!” Well said.
charlott
How many of you remember the water fountain? I think every kid had to stop there. There was also one up on the next corner, by the bank building. I think that is Gable’s Bookshop on the left corner there. Notice the awnings on the right side of the street. That got the hotter sun than the other side. You can also see the barber pole. Don’t know who would have owned it that early on.
l.e.
Looks like a busy day in town.
I wonder if the water for the fountain came from the spring up on the hill?
There aren’t a lot of light poles and wires like we see in so many of the early photos.
spinsur
By this time, City had at least one reservoir, perhaps two, (we have three today), and the water transmission line from cold springs had been in since 1927. So I doubt Coe spring was directly feeding the fountain. Incidentally, that is the transmission line that’s being replaced this last couple of years, and is now in the Markham Road area.
Marilynne Adams
I lived in Odell from 1947 to 1952, so this is the way I remember Hood River. I especially remember J.C. Penneys with the cable system of sending money to the mezzanine level after a purchase. I think all stores had wood floors then.
Lesa
Car on the left looks like a 1933-34 Ford Model 40 and the fifth car up on the right, looks like a 1935 Model 48. Are there any car models from the 1940’s in this picture? The only one that looks like it might be, is the fourth car on the right?! All the others look like they are from the thirties. This was back in the day when cars lasted. Can anyone identify these cars? I know 1933-34 Fords had the tire located on the back, but what are the others?
The second car, on the right, looks like you can see the tire through the tire well, and the trunk has been modified and some type of rack put in it.
Lesa
The fourth car on the right, looks to me like a 1941 Ford. Am I right?
Judy
Paris Fair also had the "cable system" until the day they went out of business.
Jim Gray
Lesa the first car on the left looks like a 37 Chevy to me. agree the 4th car on the right is the only "40s" style car, the 2nd car on the right maybe a Hudson with a pickup bed that you could pull out from the trunk, seems like there might have been another brand that did that as well but not in my memory bank right now, or it could have been a homemade pickup, pretty common in those days.
Arlen Sheldrake
oh yea, the cable system….I remember the Paris Fair system and the canister returning with your change……a "money zip line"??
yes, where are the telephone/power poles? Arlen
Jeffrey Bryant
The Hood River Glacier, November 7, 1907, page 2
The fountain purchased by the W. C. T. U. has arrived and will soon be placed in position and formally presented to the city.
Shelley Taylor Wate
Does anyone know anything about the bakery on the right? Who owned it? Also, did it later become a restaurant ..maybe in early 60’s or 70’s?