Historic Hood River
Bolinger’s and Hal’s
4-21-2025
Notes
I thought the office building at 18th and Belmont was a modern structure, but here we see it as “Bolinger’s Builders Supplies” in the 1950s. That’s an impressive remodel. I wonder if they used any of the “Haydite Blocks” sold at Bolingers?
We also see the venerable “Hal’s Mens Wear” on Oak Street as it looked in the 1950s, the era when “clothes make the man” was a popular saying.
BethH
My folks bought paint and wallpaper in Bollingers.
I spent lots of time looking thru big wallpaper books-which you took home- dreaming of decorating my bedroom! My Mom was a darn good wallpaperer!
William C. Seaton
In the 1950’s, I used to buy my button-down collar shirts at Hal’s
Jeffrey Bryant
Part of the obituary for Marvin Harder –
Marvin Lee Harder, 82 passed away October 14th, 2013 at Hawk’s Ridge Assisted Living in Hood River, Oregon. Marvin was born March 16, 1931 in Gregory, South Dakota to Melvin L. & Clara L. (Smith) Harder. The family relocated to Hood River in 1933.
Marvin graduated from Hood River High School in 1949 where he was student body president his senior year. That August he married Barbara Jean Colvin. He and Barbara later moved to San Diego where he served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge he and Barbara moved back to Hood River. He worked various jobs until he went to work for Hal Shelton in 1956 at what was then called Hal’s Men’s Wear at 208 Oak Street. Marvin worked for Hal for seven years and then purchased the business from Hal in 1963 changing the name to Marv’s for Men. Marv’s for Men was a fixture in downtown Hood River for the next 24 years. Marv was famous for his quick smile, great customer service and his uncanny ability to know the exact size and selection of anyone you had to buy a gift for.
Jeffrey Bryant
Hal Shelton was born 30 May 1898 and passed away on 1 Feb 1983 in Hood River.
Jeffrey Bryant
Henry Scott Bolinger (single L) was born at Afton, Iowa on 1 Jan 1897 and died at Wheeler, Tillamook County, Oregon on 16 Mar 1969.
nels
Bolinger’s was the place where you could get anything from screws and bolts to paint, and tools. I always joked that I got 40 cents of screws and $5 worth of advice on how to. It was definitely a husband and wife operation.
A miniature big box store!
Arthur Babitz
I’ve corrected the spelling of “Bolinger’s.” Thanks Jeffrey.