Historic Hood River
Blowers Hardware Store
9-20-2017
Notes
It looks like Blowers store had everything from pitchforks to bird cages to straight razors. While they are selling gas lanterns, they have an electric light hanging from the ceiling so this must be 1904 or later. The men are identified as Samuel, Norval and Lawrence Blowers. Norval was one year old in 1904, so this is probably a couple of years later.
Kathie A.
I see warming ovens on the wood cookstoves on the left. My husband has restored quite a few cookstoves, would have loved to see a brand new one though.
L.E.
In 1892 Lawrence Blowers was postmaster and store owner in White Salmon and then moved back to HR.
I remember the hardware store in a central British Columbia town in the 1960’s. Much of the outlying area still had no electricity. When you walked in the store, you were greeted with all the modern appliances , then at the back of the store was a supply of everything you needed for everyday living without electrical power.
I bet those pitch forks had good wooden handles!
L.E.
This is probably in HHR history somewhere, but it is easier to ask Arthur.
Samuel and Lawrence Blowers built a new store building in 1909 on the corner of Oak and First where Doug’s Sports is now located.
Was this earlier store in the same location?
There is a comment about the new building at
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=701
Arthur
Sorry to let you down, L.E, but I think the Blowers store moved several times. We’ve seen what I think was the first A.S. Blowers store at 3rd and Oak here: https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=219
Don’t think this is the same one, but can’t be sure without more research.
Mike McAllister
The counter location and shelves behind the counter remind me of Franz Hardware when I was a child (~1970s). If that’s the place, then this building is at the NE corner of Oak and 2nd.