Historic Hood River
Meet Carson Masiker
Notes
This seems like a good strong image for the 1500th post at Historic Hood River. More on this “historic” benchmark below.
As you can tell by his tag, Carson Masiker came to Oregon in 1853 when the Oregon Trail migration was at its peak. This photo was taken in 1902. Notes on the reverse indicate he was living in Odell at the time.
I could try to piece together his biography, but isn’t it better to hear it in his own words? Here is Carson Charley Masiker’s autobiography
. I like that he shares with us that he favors giving women the vote and would like to abolish traffic of intoxicating liquors.
A few stats about Historic Hood River. Our first experimental post came on March 9, 2011. On March 22, 2011 the kinks were worked out and we started posting every weekday. With the exception of the odd national holiday we haven’t missed a day yet.
It’s interesting to remember Historic Hood River predated the digitization of the photo collection. I set up the website so I could share images as we digitized them. Bill Pattison promised to round up a posse of “old timers” who would look at newly digitized images and help us fill in the details. But after I shared one of the first images through Larry Spellman’s Hood River Weather website, I realized the value of having hundreds of eyes looking at every image every day.
On the first image I posted the comment, “Welcome to Historic Hood River! Please post comments, especially if you can fill in some historic details.” 12,500 comments later (an average of 8+ comments per post) it’s pretty clear you do have things to fill in. I encourage you to follow the comment RSS feed so you can see the great comments people are adding to posts from many years back. Almost every week someone discovers themselves or a family member on the site and adds personal recollections. Even a non-sentimental person like me can’t help but smile when someone tells a story from 80 years ago, triggered by an image they didn’t know existed before that day.
Our web traffic numbers record more than 1.5 million page (image) views, or about 1000 views for each image posted. One of the most impressive statistics is an average site visit duration of 3:50. This is pretty astounding in a world where most site visits are measured in seconds. But as you all know there is a lot to see and read here and it’s easy to get sucked in. Every time it snows the average visit duration shoots up as people have time to wander.
What does the future hold for Historic Hood River? You’ve only seen a small percentage of the scans in our archive, so I don’t think we’ll run out of material any time soon. The website can use a major update, which will come some day. I’m finally getting a little time to solicit photo donations. It’s amazing how much great stuff is sitting in attics and bookshelves around the world– stuff which could help round out the picture of life in and around Hood River County. So, if you’re a website designer with spare time or if you have a lead on a collection you would like to see at the museum, let me know. The rest of you, just keep enjoying the posts and leaving comments and we’ll try to keep posting images worth your attention.
Buzz
Been fun having many good memories brought back to life. Thank you.
nels
Thank you so much Arthur. A lot of work, but you had a vision and it has
certainly expanded our community to know more about ourselves.
L.E.
1500 photos!! That’s why it takes someone 3 hours, when they find this site.
I remember those first few photos at Hood River Weather and the excitement of discussing them.
I have learned so much from this site. I have more understanding of "The Sense of Place Lectures" because of these photos. The excitement to watch the plaid shirts walk into the Crag Rat Lecture, to the sobering Alva Day’s train station photos for the Yasui lecture.
And where else could I hear local knowledge from the knowledgable daily posters.
Thanks Arthur and crew and nice meeting Carson Charley.
Marilyn
I love this site. It is the start of my daily routine, kinda throws me off on the weekends. Thank you Arthur for all your work and everyone else who contributes their knowledge. What a great legacy for future generations.
Kyle
^ what they said. As a new resident, this site really hit the gas pedal for me in acclimating, understanding my new home, and even some of my fellow residents. It is invaluable.
Cathy
That you for posting this photo today. Number 1500 is my great grandfather.
Cathy
Thank you for posting this photo today. Number 1500 is my great grandfather.
Tom Kloster
Thank you, Arthur! You’ve created an invaluable resource!
hrweather
Congratulations on photo #1500, Arthur. What a fantastic community resource this has turned out to be! And very interesting stats regarding viewership and comments. Your efforts, and those who work with you on this, are greatly appreciated!
charlott
I find his shirt quite interesting, with the pattern of ship anchors on it. Masiker’s naturally were related to the Henderson’s of Columbus and also there was a connection with the Paasch family of Pine Grove.
L.E.
From the July 18, 1918 Goldendale Sentinel:
"Mrs. Mary Masiker from Hood River is staying with her sister Mrs. Ida Sanders at Columbus now. They were in Goldendale over Saturday and Sunday visiting their brother Ira Henderson."
In his autobiography Carson Charley Masiker says: "In 1878 I was married at Columbus, Washington to Miss Mary I. Henderson, who still survives."