Historic Hood River
Earlier Koberg View
8-28-2024
Notes
While we’re used to seeing Koberg Beach with its iconic dance pavilion, Hood Riverites were traveling there to splash in the protected cove before it was constructed. This 1925 article in The Hood River Glacier describes the “new pavilion open to the breezes that blow over the Columbia,” so this image must be pre-1925.
I’ve wondered what caused this sandy beach to form a perfect cove in this spot. I’m guessing the current swirling around Stanley Rock and the west winds must be balanced just right for this to occur.
Kalley
In wondering what year the pavilion was dismantled, I looked it up and it was 1954. No wonder I don’t remember ever seeing it as I was born that year.
There was a link to Viento State Park too. An interesting fact as to how the name Viento came about. It’s the first two letters of three men’s last names. Henry Villard was from the Northern Pacific Railroad, William Endicott was a Boston Banker and a contractor named Tolman. I always thought that Viento was the translation of windy. You learn something new every day!
Arthur Babitz
Thanks for that research Kalley. I wondered how long the pavilion lasted.
nels
What a lovely looking place for a local swimming hole.
L. E.
I wonder if the life saving ring is made out of canvas?
Arlen L sheldrake
my foggey memory of father John’s tales while a deputy sheriff in the 1940s are that many things happened in the evenings that required police actions….maybe Roger has more.
Arlen
kmb
What a beautiful, iconic photo! The 3 level tower structure on the left side, is that just for the lifeguards? Seems tall for that. It doesn’t look like you could dive off that tower, water would not be deep enough.
Arthur Babitz
kmb, we have an image of people diving off this tower. It sure seems like the water is too shallow, but it does appear to be a diving platform: https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org/hidden-in-plain-sight/