Historic Hood River
A.S. Blowers Store
7-23-2013
Notes
These interior shots have such great detail to study. I’ll bet the shipment of grapefruit was a big draw to Hood River residents as they emerged from winter. Other products visible: Pet Milk, Market Day Special raisins (4 lb. bags), bread, potatoes, Panama Pacific Hawaiian pineapple, Snow Flake Pacific Coast biscuits, Quaker Quick oats, Carnation oats, Round-up brand ?, Skookum brand ?. Unfortunately the other cans are out of focus.
Skaggs United Stores started in Idaho in 1919, and grew to over 400 stores before merging with Safeway in 1926.
Can you imagine stocking a store like this?
Norma Jubitz Simpson
Do you know where this store was located? The tag says 3rd and Oak. I seem to remember a grocery store (Eby’s) where the current Stationers is located. There was also a grocery on Oak between 3rd and 4th – Perigo’s.
l.e.
I wonder if the grocery cart had been invented yet.
Interesting history.
I had no idea there was a pre-Safeway grocery store chain.
Arlen Sheldrake
Appears to show three male store clerks…no female. While grapefruit may have been a big draw, I remember how special it was to have a banana. Must be winter…heavy coats and a large umbrella…a "non-windy day in HR?" I didn’t know that umbrellas worked until going to OSC.
l.e.
Is there a possibility that the lady on the far right is Ella May Davidson?
l.e.
Amby Silas Blowers. That’s a catchy name.
From Mrs. D.M. Coon’s history:
"He arrived at Hood River Oregon March 4, 1889 and with his eldest son, Lawrence bought the mercantile business of E.L. Smith. They erected the first brick building in Hood River at the corner of Oak and 2nd Sts. and both have served the city of Hood River as mayor,…."
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~westklic/asblowers.html
Jill Stanford
My great-great aunt, (Mrs. Horace Jones – Betty) who lived as a widow at Cottage Farm, kept a diary every year from 1934 to the day she died — the usual things – weather, what she did — and every year, around Thanksgiving she would note that she had made Candied Grapefruit Peel for Christmas giving. I feel certain she bought it here, in this store. These ladies look like her. She is buried in Idlewilde with her sister, my great-grandmother.
charlott
Great-uncle kept diary in Pine Grove from about 1902 when he came from Wasco. Lots of things about weather, snow storms, etc. I know Grandpa kept one from early on also.
Certainly have neat stocked rows. Must not have been close to the train as just the vibration would do unsettling things.
Bill P.
Could the cash register on the right be the one from Franz Harware and now in the Historic Museum?
Jeffrey Bryant
In searching the Hood River Glacier for "corner stone," I see that there was one laid with objects in it for the brick Blowers & Sons building in September 1899. I wonder if it was ever opened.
Jeffrey Bryant
Another corner stone was filled for the new Library in October 1913. By chance, was it opened for the 100th anniversary of the Library?
Arthur
Jeffrey, I recall a corner stone opening and setting a new one. I think it was done around 2000 when the library expansion was constructed,
David
There was a Safeway across the street from the Hood River Hotel and another one at the time possibly on the heights. I would like to see a picture of them. Both were before Safeway was in the pizza building.
Jeffrey Bryant
The Hood River Glacier, May 13, 1909
Will Build of Brick
Laurence Blowers has decided to build a brick building on his lot at the corner of Oak and first street and permission has been granted by the council to set the present building in the street until the new building can be built, on account of the present tenants, Davis & Hughes, being unable to find another location for their picture show. The building will be put on the side street, will not inconvenience the public, and it will allow Mr. Blowers to build on the full lot instead of part of it, as he first intended. This insures the building of two more brick buildings on Oak street this year, to replace old wooden structures. It will add greatly to the appearance of the city, lessen the fire risk, and provide more store room for business. Let the good work go on.
Kelly Dodd
This was my great grandfather’s store.
Jeffrey Bryant
Hood River Glacier, 1927-03-31, page 11 – Skaggs Safeway to open on about May 1, 1927 in a portion of the Mt. Hood Motor Co. building.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1927-03-31/ed-1/seq-11/
Jeffrey Bryant
Hood River Glacier, 1927-05-26, page 1 – Skaggs Safeway to open on May 28, 1927 at 107 Oak street opposite the Mt. Hood Hotel Annex in the east end of the Mt. Hood Motor Co. building.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1927-05-26/ed-1/seq-1/