Historic Hood River
Brosius Block
Notes
This image of the Brosius Block is from a booklet of postcards published by Esson & Currin, Hood River, probably between 1905 and 1910. This shows the building before the second section was constructed. The east section of the Brosius Block was constructed in 1904-05. The west addition appears to have been constructed between 1907 and 1909.
The F.C. Brosius was a physician who moved to Hood River from Nebraska. In 1902 he was mayor of Hood River. This is my favorite image of him.
It looks like the name “Halls Drug Store” has been artificially added to the photograph to account for a recent change in ownership. Newspaper ads show the Hall Drug Store active in early 1909, and then changing the name to Plath’s Drug Store later in the year. I believe before it became Halls it was Williams Pharmacy. He moved in shortly after the building was completed in February 1905. In fact, if you look closely at this image of the Williams Pharmacy you’ll see the same people are standing in front of it– either an amazing coincidence, or this is the same image with modifications by the publisher.
Jeff Bryant
I wonder how much confusion to visitors is caused by the business names on signs painted on the downtown buildings.
L.E.
Well Arthur, it must make a difference what is our favorite riding apparatus to decide a favorite photo of Dr. Brosius. This is my favorite:
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=1637
It is a beautiful building. Has anyone here been in the basement?
I have been upstairs, but not on the east end of the building. I wonder why the gap between the upstairs windows.
ArthurB
Yes, LE, I’m definitely more comfortable on a bike than a horse.
I believe I’ve been in the basement– isn’t that where the toy store has their children’s book area?
Alan Winston
I like that the awning still says "Williams Pharmacy" on the postcard.