Historic Hood River
Bring Out the Band
10-8-2012
Notes
Someone important must be arriving because they brought out the marching band. It’s 6:42 PM on May 7, 1951. Any guesses?
The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
charlott
Haven’t a clue, but love the photo as it gives us another view of the train depot, plus the river side of Gerde’s Hotel. Also there is the old water tower to the right. Had to be the Hood River High School band, as Wy’east didn’t open until I believe the fall of 1952.
db
Are you sure it isn’t 1952? Then I would guess Eisenhower’s campaign train. I remember seeing it stop in Eugene. But 1951? No clue.
Bill Seaton
Well, it was an election year, so I am going to guess that either Eisenhower or Stevenson’s train was coming through town that day.
AndrewB
that water tank must be right where the hwy over pass is.
l.e.
Is there any indication in the photo?
The band is in the process of playing.
The crowd is not watching the tracks, they are gathered around something by the door.
It looks like a limo bus parked next to the station.
The crowd isn’t all that large, so I doubt it is a presidential candidate visit.
Arlen Sheldrake
GREAT shot of the HRHS band and HR depot……still the question, is it an arriving or departing VIP? But at least we know that HR stil had passenger service. Love the REA wagon and partial of the water tank. Steam will be again in the Gorge on the 20th as we head to Bend
and on the 21st as we come back from Bend (both on the Washington side so we will have a grand view of the HR valley….. http://www.4449.com
Arthur
I double checked– the negative definitely says 1951.
l.e.
It is the era of the Korean War, but I don’t see anything that denotes military.
I have wasted a lot of time searching Arthur, but haven’t come up with anything.
charlott
fI thought about the Korean War also, but if you notice it is not a huge crowd assembled. I actually wonder if it wasn’t that someone was going to stop, but just passing through and this was sort of a "salute" type tribute.
My thoughts is if it was a presidential candidate and they were actually stopping in H.R. the turn out would have been much larger., whether it was your candidate or not, a celebrity just the same.
Too bad there was not notation on the photo as to what it was all about.
This is the classic example of what we have discussed before. WRITE information on your photos for future generations.
Arthur
Thanks Charlott for the reminder about documenting your photographs. In this case I give Alva Day a break as we are working with the negative. We are extremely fortunate that he chose to use "autographic film" which allowed him to add a small notation between frames. He had room for the date and time, but couldn’t squeeze in any more. My wild guess: they’re waiting for a returning high school baseball team that’s just won an important game.
Bill Seaton
Arthur, If only only our old local newspapers were put on-line in a data base format, then we could get at this kind of event a little easier. (somewhat like the U of O Newspaper Project)
Scott Cook
Good point Bill…I can’t wait until are newspaper is hosted online!!
l.e.
I agree Bill.
I went through the month of May 1951 in the online Mt. Adams Sun which was the WS/Bingen newspaper.
Thought maybe it would provide a clue.
Del Landers
I don’t remember taking a train anywhere for an away baseball game in 1951. I played shortstop that year.