Historic Hood River
East Side Grade
Notes
I ran across this nice photo of the old road up the east side grade near the mouth of the Hood River. It turns out it was used for a Hood River Historical Society postcard in 1950-51. Here’s their accompanying text:
East Side Grade, about 1900:
This road was about the hardest to make as the hillside eroded constantly. This fence was built after Chris Dethman’s surry, team and family went over the bank one Sunday on the way from Hood River.
The early settlers had used it from 1860. The Immigrant Trail forded the river at the Indian Creek junction above here.
Interview Earl Bartmess, Ed Lage, Emma Koberg, Joe Horn, the Dethmans, John Mohr, Mrs. J. Wirrick, andd Mrs. Margurite Walter of Odell. John Cooper, Joe Dimmick, and Paul Aubert of Parkdale.
Mrs. Arline Moore of Hood River is Secretary of the Hood River Historical Society and she will help as she was born in Pine Grove.
L.E.
Interesting history.
I suspect Indian Creek is very well named except for the lack of Indians. I have read before that the Indians had a winter camp at the mouth of Indian Creek.
Probably that is where they forded the river, made their way up the creek to the huckleberry fields, or even to the Willamette Valley?
Chris Dethman's wife lived in the Glenwood/Trout Lake area before she married Chris. She must have traveled many a scary road and trail.
ArthurB
Oops, looks like I posted the Friday image a day early. Make sure you scroll back to see today's Oregon Pony post too.
Buck Parker
The text from the postcard is the first I've heard of an “Immigrant Trail” through the valley or omr that forded the Hood River at Indian Creek. I have seen references to a trail that came over what is now the Old Dalles Road and through the valley somewhere in the vicinity of the community of Mount Hood and then passed over a route that I have assumed was in the vicinity of the present Lolo Pass road and on into the Willamette Valley; I've also assumed that that trail t was used for horses only or perhaps for driving cattle and followed pre-existing Indian trails but was probably not used by wagons. Does anyone know anything about the trail referred to in the postcard text or the other trail? We try to give some more general information about transportation through and into the valley as part of the Hood River walking tours, and I'd like to know more about these trails.
Arthur
Buck, I was equally surprised by this reference to the trail crossing near Indian Creek. I'm hoping someone knows more about this. I'm not clear if the folks mentioned were the source for the text accompanying these postcards, or if they are people to contact if you want more information.
nels
Can hardly imagine a wagon, with family, and a team of horses going down over that steep embankment. That was a tough one and I question whether the fence provided much more safety.
LMH
Arthur, thanks for the treat, 2 for 1 Thursday.
Charlott
One of my great uncles was actually thrown from his wagon in 1913 on the bridge. He went over and was killed from hitting the rocks. Sad day in our family in Hood River.