Historic Hood River
“Battling Nelson” at Sheridan’s Point
Notes
This fits nicely in the “you never know where an Historic Hood River post will take you” category. We previously saw a different copy of this image of the Steamer Tahoma at Sheridan’s point. From that post we learned all about Sheridan’s Point (on the Columbia between Bonneville and Stevenson): the Middle Blockhouse, the SPS golden spike, and the Cascades Massacre. But this copy includes a caption inscribed on the negative referring to “Battling Nelson”. The only “Battling Nelson” I can find was a famous Danish boxer. He was active during this era, though he doesn’t have any bouts listed for 1914. Perhaps he was on a promotional tour, or maybe a vacation? The only mentions of “Battling Nelson” in Hood River newspapers appear in 1906 and 1908. A broader statewide search for 1914 shows just a week after this image was captured he announced a retirement from boxing. Was he taking a cruise to clear his head for such an important decision? Maybe someone will find something more definitive. It looks like he did return to the ring after 1914, but never regained the World Heavyweight Champion title.
Tags: 1910s, Battling Nelson, Cascade Locks, Sheridans Point, steamer, sternwheeler
L. E.
Are those covered wagons on the front of the steamer?
Arthur Babitz
Yes, there are several covered wagons on the steamer foredeck. Add that to the mysteries of this image.
L. E.
Oscar “Battling” Nelson was married for a time (1913-1916) to Fay King. She was born in Seattle, but for some years, Kay and her parents lived in Portland.
So they would have been familiar with the Columbia Gorge. There was a reference that Nelson had stayed at Clifton at Hood River, but I couldn’t find anything to prove that.