Historic Hood River
Chicken Charlie Island
11-1-2016
Notes
Here’s a nice view of Chicken Charlie (Eighteen Mile) Island pre-Bonneville Dam.
The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
Here’s a nice view of Chicken Charlie (Eighteen Mile) Island pre-Bonneville Dam.
Dale Nicol
This lower water photo explains to me, why the water is more turbulent along the south shore line.
L.E.
Oh my goodness Arlen. Just for you!!
I bet when the cold east wind blew, that Island was a miserable place.
The River above the dams has lost the environment of sand bars, dunes, sloughs and seasonal flooding.
Andrew B
Looks like you can see a rough road going along the shoreline, about where the highway would be. Must end right about inline with the island as it totally cliffs out there. Nice sandy beaches before the dams came!
I spy a locomotive in the distance too!
Jill Stanford
I’d sure like to know why it got that name!
Arthur
The island’s common name comes from Charles Reither, who lived there for many years. A previous residents kept chickens there– you’ll see a 1900 photo with chicken coops in a few months. Not clear if Charlie kept chickens too, but "Chicken Charlie" sounded better than "Eighteen Mile" so the name stuck.
Arthur
and yes, there was a river level road along the Columbia between Hood River and Mosier that was used when the river level allowed. I imagine it took longer to go up and over.
Kenn
Nice place until Charlie was surprised to find the water higher than the corps had told him it would be.
cathleen
so that explains why Sam Hill built the Historic Columbia River Highway so high up, to keep it away from seasonal flooding.
charlott
What I find interesting about this particular photo is as I have driven past umpteen times I have wondered about how much more of the little island where I think the channel marker/beacon is located there was.
Sam Hill did not actually build the highway, but was a promoter of it. He along with Lancaster did come up with the idea. In 1913 he did convince the Oregon Legislature to build it.
Coyote Cooper
I suppose its the perfect place to raise chickens, you wouldnt need coups or a fence
Jill Stanford
Thanks Arthur!
L.E.
From the March 25, 1938 Mt Adams Sun P.3
Final Judgment of Condemnation—U.S. vs. Charles J. Reither, 18-mile Island, flowage easement. Awarded $2500.