Historic Hood River
April Fool
4-1-2011
Notes
Mr. Deitz played a prank in his photo studio at Second and State when he superimposed strawberries on flatbed rail cars. Hood River was known in those days for its large and tasty strawberries, though it’s fair to assume this was a slight exaggeration. This image served as an advertising card for Hood River strawberry growers.
The Mt. Hood Hotel, with its stately verandas and cupola, stood across from the train station. It was later expanded up towards Oak Street. That brick “annex” to the Mt. Hood Hotel is now the Hood River Hotel. The site of this older wooden structure is now a parking lot behind Pietros Pizza.
l.e.
This "false advertising" must have raised some eyebrows in the neighboring town of White Salmon which was also known for its strawberries.
DeAnna
So the front of the hotel originally faced North? (the direction of the sign)? I heard there was a fire and the hotel was severly damaged at one time? (causing the change to what we know the hotel to be now)?
arthur
When the hotel was first built everyone came by train, so all the hotels clustered around the train station. By 1920 many people were coming by the Columbia River Highway, so the focus moved away from the station. Not sure about a fire, but I understand the structure was removed by order of the fire marshal when it was in significant decay, after a stint as a boarding house. Maybe someone else has dates and details?
Charlott
Doing things like this was somewhat of a common practive. Has anyone seen the post card taken at a Pine Grove ranch with the child who is two standing by the two year old apple tree with all the mature apples tied on it? I have one of those and know which family farm it was on. Must do what you must do to advertize.