Historic Hood River
End of an Era
Notes
I ran across this image while I was looking for photos of buggies. It was taken in 1901– the start of a new century, and the end of the horse an buggy era. That’s E. L. Smith in the buggy, with W. G. Eliot Jr. and Mrs. St. John looking on. The photographer was Chas. E. St. John.
If I’m not mistaken, that is Unitarian minister Rev. T. L. Eliot’s summer home “Shushula” in the background. We still haven’t found the exact location, but believe it to be somewhere in the area of Eliot Drive in the Heights. Perhaps the view of the Washington hills will help triangulate a bit. This photo makes it clear that Shushula was close enough to the NE corner of the plateau which forms the Heights to give a clear view of Burdoin Mountain.
I believe W. G. Eliot Jr. was T. L. Eliot’s son. T. L. Eliot’s nephew was the poet T. S. Eliot. This family genealogy is a bit confusing because they keep reusing the same names.
I’ve found reference to a Chas. E. St. John who was a Unitarian minister in that era, so he was probably the photographer.
nels
For a minister to have a house of this refinement I assume there was family wealth as well.
nels
Wonder if that is at the west end of Eliot road where it drops down to an awesome view of the Hood River below and up the south side for a view. You can take a drive to where I think this is. The couple there sell many native perennials this time of year, and he is a master wood turner with his products sold at the Saturday Market in the summer along with her perennials. They have a circular drive at the point where this house seems to be seated slightly lower.
Ellen
Looks like the blueprint design by Whidden & Lewis that you’ve posted before. Gambrel roof and same line up of windows.
Arthur
Yes, that’s correct. If you click on the "Shushula" tag you’ll see the blueprint that appears to match this home. Pretty amazing that we have the blueprint to this house which burned down over 100 years ago. Does someone wish to build a new one?
Juliana Sandahl
T. L. Eliot helped found Portland Unitarian Church and was their first minister. He and his wife bought a quarter section of land on Indian Creek in 1889 where he built a summer cottage, "Shushula. The blue prints show the architects were Whidden & Lewis, well-known in the Portland area. His son, W.G. Eliot was also a minister and helped found the first Unitarian Church in Hood River on 6th and State St., now a private home.