Historic Hood River
Don’t Look Directly at the Sun
Notes
Often I have to make use of the word “circa” when I share an undated image to make it clear that my date is an educated guess. Every once in a while an image has something in it like a calendar or newspaper to fix the date, though it’s rare that I can pull off that trick with an outdoor image. But I can tell you with confidence this was taken on June 8, 1918 very close to 3PM. That is when the path of totality for a solar eclipse passed over Hood River. These lucky Hood Riverites had one minute and 28 seconds to enjoy totality, though by the shadows I’d guess this image was captured during the 20 minutes of partial eclipse which preceded totality.
Some of you may remember the solar eclipse of February 26, 1979. Share with us your recollections. There will be another total solar eclipse close to Hood River on August 21, 2017, though you’ll need to drive a few miles south. The path of totality will pass through Madras, Oregon.
l.e.
What a "fun" photo!
Our family was just talking about the 1979 eclipse. One of my sons, who was 4 at the time has recollections of being taken outside to watch the sun, but being told constantly not to look at the sun.
The lady on the left, in the black hat looks like she might have a goiter, which was not unusual in those days. Maybe it is a shadow.
l.e.
Any idea where this might be? That almost looks like a White Salmon hill in the background.
Arthur
My two guesses for location are the slopes above the hospital/ Burdoin Mountain, or else the west flanks of the Hood River Mountains just south of the Old Dalles Road. I’ll have to check for the exact spot next time I take a ride.
Casey
WHOA. Check out that sweet donate button on the top right! Pretty neat. ( =
This is one of my favorite photos. It looks like one of the girls has a lunch pail in front of her.
Jill Stanford
I wonder who the gentleman is — a lucky fellow to be with all those ladies and what appears to be a picnic basket too.
Kerry Cobb
Are you sure they’re not watching the Mt Hood Cycling Classic? 🙂
Jeffrey Bryant
There was another eclipse June 8, 1912.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83009939/1912-05-22/ed-1/seq-7/