Historic Hood River
Cascade Avenue 1903
12-9-2019
Notes
This photo from the Dewitt collection is labeled “Katherine Bill and Bluch about 1903 on Cascade Avenue.” I’m guessing Bluch was the horse.
Based on the 1902 Sanborn map I’m pretty sure this is Cascade just west of 3rd Street. According to the map there was a 1 1/2 story house on the SW corner, the building on the SE corner has an awning, and the buildings uphill are 1 and 2 story respectively. That’s about as good a match as you can get.
In 1903 the one story building with a cloth awning was a photo studio. Cascade Avenue was known as “River Street”.
As the modern view shows, nothing from this image remains.
Charlott
I believe that Katherine and Bill are the niece and nephew of Harry Dewitt. There father was Harry's brother Charles. Apparently they were visiting as Charles did not live in Hood River.
nels
An interesting picture in that the driver looks to be maybe 12 years old or so. This must mean that he is mature enough to handle a horse and knows rules of the road when around town. And must mean the horse is trustworthy enough for a young driver. Lovely picture.
Gladys
Many boys of that age in that time frame knew a great deal about horses, both in reference to a “rig”, a wagon or just riding. However, there is a possibility that this is pretty much just staged.