Historic Hood River
E.R. Bradley Print Shop and Newspaper
Notes
Here’s a good interior view of ER Bradley’s print shop. You may recall Bradley came to Hood River in 1899 to take the helm of The Hood River Sun when Sloan Shutt left for Granite. When Shutt called for his press, The Hood River Sun was no more. Bradley made a living running a print shop and stationery store on Oak Street (S side, between 2nd and 3rd).
In 1905 Bradley got back in the newspaper business, starting The Hood River Newsletter which eventually became The Hood River News. This is probably just about the time the newsletter got started, based on the single electric light bulb. Electricity came to Hood River late in 1904.
I recently discovered Bradley’s print shop (and The Hood River Glacier) were run by water power before Hood River had electricity, according to the 1902 Sanborn maps. I believe there was a spur of the pipe from Wilson’s reservoir that went to the two print shops, though the pipeline itself is not shown on the map. The main line continued down 2nd Street to run the flouring mill and other industry along the railroad siding. By 1909 The Hood River News was on 2nd Street with electric presses, and by 1916 The Hood River Glacier was on 3rd Street with electric presses. We’re lucky to have this photo preserve the moment in time when Hood River’s newspaper presses were powered by water.
David
Wondering if the press is still in the valley?
Arthur
I’ll bet it wound up on a WWII scrap heap for recycling into battleships.
Charlott
I always enjoy seeing those old ornate heating stoves.
I see if the power goes out they have back up lighting.
L.E.
I have lots of questions.
Looks like perhaps the shop was at one time a house?
Seeing what looks like some type of press, in the front of the photo, why is a printing press called a press?
Did these machines give off heat? Did it get hot in the room, while the presses were working?
Very interesting about the water power, but I am surprised there was enough water to create the power.
Arthur
LE, these machines only generate heat from friction, which should be minimal. We know the pipeline was 12" diameter and dropped about 400 feet from Wilson’s Reservoir. I made a bunch of guesses and find it could generate from 10’s to 100s of kilowatts (depending on how quickly you drain the reservoir), so I’m sure there was enough to power those presses.
Arthur
Ran across some relevant data. The city was able to operate a 75kw turbine at its reservoir on Wilson Street in the 1940s. That should give you some idea of the hydro power available.
Arlen Sheldrake
I think they are called printing presses because the type set was pressed against the paper…..reminds me of a print shop we visited last year in Cuba…..no belt drives but equipment sure looked similar.