Historic Hood River
Cap’ McCan and his Nash
11-6-2024
Notes
Here’s another fine view which we now know is “Cap” McCan and his Nash automobile. Other views from the same day show him reviewing construction on the new portion of the Columbia River Highway between Hood River and Mosier. You can read more about McCan and the detective work that led to identifying these images here. McCan was one of the local promoters if the Columbia River Highway project. In his early years in Hood River he owned this house on Tucker Road where he had a small racetrack.
nels
What was McCan’s source of income? Owning trotters must have been a nationwide activity at that time. I had a grandfather and great grandfather lawyers in southern Illinois who also owned trotters and played the horses. When he died his will split his estate 50/50 between his two sons. Wife was nothing with nothing.
Arthur Babitz
nels, McCan’s racetrack was for cars, not horses. But your question is a good one. I just know people considered McCan a rich playboy but I don’t know where his money came from, or if that characterization was accurate.
L. E.
His December 22, 1951 obituary says, “He was best known in Hood River county, however as an apple grower who preferred to race his blooded horses brought from the Midwest. He came to Hood River about 1910, bought 30 acres of land just outside town and planted it to apples. While the fruit trees were maturing he built a race track and palatial home and roomy barns. In the 1920’s he became Maxwell automobile dealer….”
William C. Seaton
Back in the late 1930’s, my Mom, Betty J. Seaton became acquainted with Cap’ McCan through their both being in H.R. Civic Theater activities. Then in 19444, Mom needed to start working, and Cap’ helped her get a job.