Historic Hood River
Stanley Rock Aerial View
Notes
This 1968 aerial survey offers a great view of Stanley Rock and I-80N (now I-84), with the newly constructed freeway interchange.
Stanley Rock and the flat lands between it and the cliffs of the Gorge were once farmed by John Koberg with his “20th Century Truck Farm“. He later added Koberg Beach with its famous dance pavilion. The rising waters behind Bonneville Dam made the beach less desirable, and the river level highway effectively cut it off from easy Hood River access.
In this view you can see there is still a beach there (at least seasonally). You can also see where the power lines come across which originally brought Condit Dam power to Hood River. You can also see where ships would shelter in the lee of Stanley Rock in bad winter storms.
I took another look at this image after seeing a post on Facebook discussing this image from the Oregon Historical Society collection. Some people from the Dalles suggested it was at “Coberg Rock by Hood River” and that the light had blown off the rock in the 1970s. It seems like this image should show the light if it was there in 1968, but I’ve learned to never say never. Any personal knowledge about a light on Stanley Rock before the 1970s?
Also, can anyone explain the rectangular sump in the lower left corner of the image? It’s still there, though not as visible with heavy vegetation surrounding it.
Jeffrey Bryant
I think the sump is a drainage slough. Other sloughs, cut off by the freeway, can be seen in the photo.
I believe that the hillside to the left is part of the Indian allotment land.
nels
Is that what looks likea beacon light the one that is now out at the auto/air museum?
Arthur Babitz
nels, I think you are talking about the tower for the power line which runs across the Columbia at that point. It’s still there (or maybe it’s a new one in the same spot).
Dale Nicol
If memory serves me right, the aircraft navigation beacon and tower in front of WAAAM was located west of Hood River.
L. E.
I think Stanley Rock is named for John Stanley who had a homestead claim along the shore of the Columbia at Hood River. He was born in New York in 1816, came to Oregon in 1853. He settled at his place in Hood River in 1858 and died in 1891.
His wife Nancy was under the guardianship of Hans Lage. I could not find an obituary for her. Hans’s daughter Emma married Koberg.