Historic Hood River
Dewey Arch
7-8-2013
Notes
It’s time for a week of summer fun. Here’s a fine summer vacation picture. In 1899 or 1900, Samuel Blythe, editor of the Hood River Glacier, apparently visited New York. As many of his travels related to his participation in the GAR, it’s possible he was there for a GAR function.
He brought back this photograph of the “Dewey Arch”. The arch was constructed in 1899 to honor Admiral Dewey’s triumph in the Spanish American war. It was used for a large parade in September 1899, and demolished the next year.
This was an era of monumental temporary construction. We’ve seen evidence of it in the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland and the Paris Fair.
Here’s a current view of the arch’s former location at Madison Square in Manhattan.
charlott
Quite possibly Blythe went to the National GAR Encampment held in Philadelphia in 1899 and while on that trip visited NYC.
To think that such a beautifully sculptured archway was constructed to only be torn down. Would that not be a wonderful national treasure to be able to see.
l.e.
Interesting. Thanks for the current view.
We talk about how thrifty our grandparents were and how they didn’t waste anything and yet there was this era of building these elaborate structures knowing they were only temporary.
When I look at Lewis and Clark Expo photos I find it hard to believe that just a hundred years ago, those elaborate buildings were in that area of Portland with a lake.
db
I wonder if it was largely plaster construction. I can’t see them demolishing all of that if it was marble.
Arthur
Yes, they used very temporary construction techniques with lots of plaster and chicken wire. They certainly were not designed to handle the elements– sort of like ice sculpture.
Buzz
Interesting. Never heard of this practice before. I have a sense that this says something about our culture that is not particularly appealing.
Judy
What does GAR stand for?
spinsur
Grand Army of the Republic. The G.A.R. was a post-Civil War veteran’s organization founded to provide support for soldiers and their families.
charlott
The women’s group was known as the Woman’s Relief Corp. There were a lot of them in the Hood River organization.