Historic Hood River
At Mr. Routson’s Cabin
4-4-2016
Notes
In 1913 Lois Peironnet Cloud visited Mr. Routson’s property on the Hood River. She listed those in the photograph:
Douglas Gordon, Mr. Routson, Mr. Fry, G. Wertgen, Mr. Rose, R. Babson, E. Dresser, Frances Evans, G. LeuVal?
We saw an early homesteader’s cabin on this property in this image.
The county acquired the land through foreclosure during the Great Depression, and it became a park in 1963. The county is now closing the park.
Charlott
I know who some of these men were. Routson was no doubt Harry Routson (1892-1977). Gerhardt Wertgren. Ed Dresser lived in Pine Grove on East Side Road. His wife was Marie Cochran. Gordon was probably the Gordon that lived in Parkdale. Babson, though it says R. Babson was probably Sydney Gorham Babson that lived up above Parkdale. The other’s I am not familiar with at all.
Longshot
The paper said that one of the reasons the park was being closed was problems with its water supply. I believe its water supply is a shallow aquifer similar to and maybe connected to that of Crystal Springs. Anyone know any more about this?
another hukari
Douglas Gorgon was a ‘gentleman farmer" who had a large strawberry field in Parkdale. His nephew Eric Gordon was sent " out west to straighten up" (having been kicked out of a few universities back east)- and put to work with his uncle. Eric ended up staying, to the surprise of his East Coast family, and had built the lovely house to the East of the Parkdale grade school. He stayed kept the strawberry fields going, at least into the 40’s.
L.E.
Just happened to read the online version of HR News and there was Routson Park.
http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2016/apr/02/routson-park-retired-county-closes-riverside-campg/
I am surprised it suffered from lack of use. Seems like people are always looking for a place to picnic along a river.
Buzz
In high school played football against a Rick Routson from WyEast. Big Kid. He played linebacker and I played end. We went at each other pretty good. He gave as good as he got. Good memories.
Charlott
Rick would have been Harry Routson’s youngest son. Oh boy, good old Wy’east and HRHS’s fighting it out……………..Oh so well remember……………I must admit here, wasn’t a fan of HRHS football players……………….and then………….oh well you know how that turned out………….
Judy
Harry Routson’s wife was Alyuna Candee Routson……I worked for many years for Virginia Routson. Rick and Patty are still at the ranch. The last Routson girl just passed. Her name was Ellen.