Historic Hood River
Apple Blossom Tour
9-20-2018
Notes
Dr. Marcus Thrane is taking his wife and Oregon Secretary of State Olcott for a tour during the Apple Blossom Festival of May, 1912. This interesting biography of Secretary Olcott describes his ascent to Oregon Governor, and his later loss to a Klan backed opponent.
Charlott
I shall tell you about Dr. Marcus Thrane. He was the father of my great uncle Cecil Thrane. He was the grandson of Marcus Moller Thrane who was the author of the labor movement in Norway. Marcus Moller spent about 9 years in prison for his efforts. Dr. Thrane was the son of Dr. Arthur Thrane a physician in Eau Clare, Wisconsin. The entire family has a very interesting story.
Dr. Thrane was crippled and actually worked from a wheelchair, as he had suffered a spinal injury while attempting to lift a car out of a ditch.
He was very well liked in the community as a doctor as the story is that he had a wonderful bed side manner with his patients.
Dr. Thrane when he came to Hood River built a beautiful home on Fir Mountain Road, which would later be owned by Bill Perry. House is still there.
His wife was Mabel (Ellis) Thrane, who grew up in Eau Clare in the home of a wealthy uncle. In her later life she was basically an invalid at home, attended to by her husband, the doctor and her son.
L.E.
Nothing like first hand family knowledge. Thanks Charlott.
L.E.
Some great Oregon history reading about Ben Olcott, and Walter Pierce.
I wonder if Olcott knew Earl Conser. They have some similarities in banking and transportation.
Kenn
Novel rear fender, interesting spring set up and I believe extra large brakes, any idea the make of the car?
Arthur
My guess: 1912 Chalmers 30 Touring Car. Hopefully someone from WAAAM will weigh in.
Peter
My wife’s family now owns the Fir Mountain Thrane house, which I am told was designed by the same architect that designed the church in Odell. I can see the similarities. I wonder how Dr. Thrane got in and out of the house, as there’s no evidence now of a wheelchair ramp
Charlott
The wheelchair ramp would have disappeared ages ago.
Dale Nicol
Arthur, the car does look like a Chalmers and the rear suspension is much like the 1915 Overland, Model 81R the WAAAM Car Guys are restoring inside Museum 3.
In fact, the motor was started yesterday for the first time in decades and made one lap around the front parking lot!
Jeffrey Bryant
The Apple Blossom Festival (Day or Week) was first suggested and promoted by the Commercial Club in 1912. It was advertised off and on over the next several years, until it became an annual event.