Historic Hood River
Graduation Time
5-15-2014
Notes
It’s the time of year for senior photos and graduation pictures. It’s worth dressing up and hiring a professional photographer. The image may outlive you. This is Myrtle Jacobson in 1926.
[Ed. note: Myrtle Jacobson’s daughter says this is not her mother. Perhaps the person who wrote “Myrtle Jacobson, 1926” on the reverse was mistaken, or perhaps the photo was owned by Myrtle Jacobson. The text is written in ballpoint pen, so it was added some years after 1926. In any case, we’ll just consider this image “the unknown graduate” until someone searches the yearbooks to identify her.]
charlott
She married Hellmuth Bendler and her daughter was in my class in school here in Hood River, at Wy’east.
l.e.
Was the photographer local?
I wonder if the dress was made at home. This must have been a financial strain for some families.
My grandmother, who graduated two years before this, told about the style at that time was to be very flat chested. She would arrive at school and then safety pin her slip as tight as she could across her chest. Which of course tore holes in her slips.
Her mother, when doing laundry, found the holes and wanted to know about them. My grandma lied and said she didn’t know how they got there.
charlott
I am fairly sure that the photographer was local, as I have some photos taken professionally here in Hood River way prior to that date.
nels
Such a lot of work and planning to prepare for this important picture. Choose the pattern, buy the material, borrow the gloves, special shoes and stockings, watch rather conspicuous – was that an important item in those days to show wealth, or maybe a graduation present? And a big bow. Graduating was a real achievement in those days, especially for a young lady.
Arthur
Charlott is correct that Hood River had professional photographers of considerable talent back to at least the 1890s. Unfortunately this one doesn’t have a studio stamp on it, so we don’t know who took it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they set up a temporary studio in a classroom at the high school so they could get all the graduates at once.
Buzz
Maybe just me, but I don’t see much joy on this young ladies face in this whole process. Could mom be more enthralled than daughter?
Bill Pattison
Don’t Mess with me ! ! !
Jeffrey Bryant
The 1926 Mascot (available at the Hood River Library) shows a different senior photo for Myrtle Jacobson. Her entry reads: Typing Medal; Class play 4. "They say she has the mildest manner, and the gentlest heart, but boy, be careful what you start."
l.e.
Those shoes are absolutely killing her feet.
The March 12, 1964 White Salmon newspaper has and advertisement for a
DAIRY FARM AUCTION
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1964 HOOD RIVER.
From Highway 30 turn south across from Meredith Motel located 1 mile west of Hood River—-2 miles on this road will take you to the Bendler farm, or approximately 1 miles from Valley Livestock Auction Yard….
Owners Mr. & Mrs. H.A. Bendler
70 acres, 2 large barns, large home, grade A dairy 36 Guernsey and Jersey Milk cows…
Auctioneer Wilbur Murray
Ring Man: Al Obrist
========
Always a sad day when a farmer has to sell his farm because of ill health, but probably just as well. No one now, would put up with a dairy this close to town.
Judy
I think she looks beautiful! Now a days, it seems like anything goes as far as dress is concerned. Even attending nice functions, it seems that baseball hats and jeans are the "norm" and even shorts for the girls. No limousine for this gal to go to the prom……$$$
Margaret Bendler Jacob
No, that is definately not my Mom. I have the yearbooks from those years and this lady looks nothing like my Mom. Hope to see some of my Mom sometime tho!!!! Thanks for all your work, and Charlott’s, in posting history pictures on your site here.
Margaret Bendler Jacob
Hey I.e., 4 or 5 miles from town is not even close to being a problem with dairy smells. (The reference to dairy auction above was ours!!) Maybe you’re thinking of modern ones with the lagoons?? Ours was very pasture friendly and never had the inkling of smell except possibly when Daddy spread the pee on the fields with his special spreader in the spring, but then he always tried to do that when it was raining!!!!
Margaret Bendler Jacob
Hey, Charlott, I have a cute picture from mid-1950’s of our house, barn & some cows in background with my sisters in foreground changing sprinkler pipes in the field. Shall I send you the pic???? Lots of good memories there!!!!
Charlott
You can if you want to and then do you wish me to take it somewhere. If that isn’t your Mom, do you know if it is someone else in your family?
Scott Jacox
Hi Margaret
Just came across this site…..very interesting
We bought the farm from your parents….great memories
I think I met you – you came back one day to visit
I would love pictures of the farm, if you have any
Hope you are well,
Scott Jacox
Margaret Bendler Jacob
Hi Scott Jacox, yes i remember yiur last name. Are u the parent who bought our place or a son? I have pics! Don’t know if this is the place for them?? Charlott, what do you think??