Historic Hood River
Tennis, Anyone?
6-12-2013
Notes
This isn’t a great photo, but I haven’t seen any other pictures of tennis courts from this era. Harry DeWitt and Art Van Sickle are playing doubles at dirt courts on Oak Street at 10th. I can’t find the courts on the Sanborn maps, but there are a few empty lot there. This is probably from the 1920s.
Buzz
Interesting photo. Never heard of dirt courts. Maintenance must have been time consuming. Do you know if these were city or privately owned? Volunteer maintenance?? Obesity solved!
Arthur
I called them "dirt courts" because they don’t look like grass or clay to me. We don’t have any info beyond a pair of photos, and the photos just have the names on them.
Jim Gray
Elevation sure seems higher than 10th & Oak ?
Jay
This is a timely opportunity to mention the fundraising efforts to renovate the functionally-obsolete public courts on May Street! A lot of community volunteerism has gone into the project so far and they could use some more support to meet unexpectedly higher bids. And encourage our City Councilors (ahem) to step up with public support for this great project for the community.
This issue is at a crucial time right now! For more info, and an opportunity to donate: https://mycharityofchoice.com/campaign/tenniscourts#.UbjFcvn2bug
Thanks, Arthur, for the great – and timely – photo.
l.e.
I was going to ask the same as Jim…Does Oak St. sit that high up looking north?
Harry DeWitt was born in 1880. That guy has a pretty good head of black hair for a 40 year old.
Jim Gray
Looking back a the High School track meet at May Street school, it looks like the same type of fencing, I am thinking this picture is at the High School at 10th & May.
l.e.
I cannot find a date for this "History of Oregon State of Oregon Past and Present Guide" but under Hood River it lists swimming at Koberg Beach 10 cents and Tennis: High School courts open to public in summer.
http://www.historyoforegonguide.com/203.htm
Lesa
They certainly had a good view of Underwood Mountain.