Historic Hood River
Desolation Guard Station
9-15-2020
Notes
It looks like an early snow at the Desolation Guard Station in November, 1937. Those pickups look like 1935 or 1936 Internationals (International Harvester) which were used by Alva Day’s Pacific Power crew in that era. I think this is their traditional November hunting trip in eastern Oregon. There is a Desolation Butte guard station in the Umatilla National Forest which looks similar to this, though not identical. Most guard stations look alike, so I am not confident on the location ID.
Dale Nicol
Interesting information on these International 1/2 ton pickups were made by Willys Overland starting in 1933. The International contract with Willys made it possible for Willys to hold off declaring bankruptcy. The depression was brutal for many automakers.
L.E.
I wonder if the woman and the dog are permanent residents at the guard station. Perhaps Alva and his hunting buddies stopped in for a visit.
I would say there is nothing special about this photo, but at this time of smokey skies, the photo makes me yearn for the fresh smell of snow, pine and fir trees and good mountain air.
Dale Nicol
I forgot to mention WAAAM has a 1933 International, D-1 pickup in Museum 1, near the rotation beacon. The photo in the link below shows the car nearly completed restoration….still has the headlights to be installed.
https://www.waaamuseum.org/collections/automobiles/582-1933-international-pickup-truck
nels
Snow on the top of the car but not on the hood, so they must have just driven in. Snow melted on house roof so it has been heated over time. Snow on roof and hood of the vehicle beside the house. Less snow on the truck out front. Looks like they camped somewhere with less snow and then drove in and stopped by for a visit.
Arlen L Sheldrake
Nels…..you have detective traits…a hobby or career?
I find it interesting that many of todays advertisers have discovered the appeal of having a dog in their videos….drugs or cars or ???…… this one appears to be curious about the photographer.
Will
But no snow below truck under right (unless deceptive shadow) and melted more on viewer’s side and it appears some vehicle left the drive and turned to our left. Or was vehicle on right set up for a bracket?