Historic Hood River
A River Runs Through It
4-19-2017
Notes
This fine fishing photo is annotated, “From Sam, Christmas 1898.” At a later date someone added, “Trout pool, Shushula. Stephen Baldwin.” It is not clear who “Sam” was, but I’m sure one of you will offer a theory.
This is from the S.M. Baldwin family file. I believe the reference to “Shushula” places this near the junction of Indian Creek and the Hood River. Shushula, Reverend T.L. Eliot’s “cottage,” was somewhere above that spot, though I don’t know the exact location. The funny thing about landmarks is that no one ever describes where they are!
Charlott
Stephen M.Baldwin Jr. came to H. R. via California from native state of Massachusettes. Married Ella May Stranahan and they had one son "Mace" I think his wife was married before to a man named Fremont and had a son. They lived in the upper valley.
L.E.
Neat photo!
I can’t wait to see if someone recognizes the location of the trout pool, or if the landmark has changed since 1898.
Jim Mason
I’m still working on positively identifying the location of the "trout pool." That said, I have a contender as of yesterday, but need to look at it a lot more closely.
Chase DeBoard
This is the backside of Johnson’s cut viewed from slightly upriver looking north.
The railroad would cut out behind that big rock and come out the right side of the Johnson’s Point?, I’m so used to calling it Johnson’s cut for so long, I dunno what to call it Pre-Railroad haha.
Of course this is before railroad and the planned “Johnson tunnel that turned into a Johnson Cut.
Still a popular fishing spot across the river from the gentleman in picture, the spot is a little ways to the right on what would now be the inside of track corner a little ways after leaving Johnson’s cut, and heading towards switch back.
The water spins to just spin inside that corner, sorta neat.
Arthur Babitz
Thanks for the history of “Johnson’s Cut” Chase DeBoard. I’ve never heard that name before.
Chase DeBoard
Oh interesting!
The railroad tends to say Johnson’s Cut, sometimes Johnson’s corner.
Anyhow I found a similar view to the picture.
Remember the water is higher modern days from Bonneville then no dams in 1898.
Also the fisherman is more left (east?) in the old picture.
My link shows the same spot about 30 feet west from old photo.
The rocks still look alike no problem though.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xwx2HkmF1ugfQJkd6?g_st=ic