Historic Hood River
Fireworks
7-3-2015
Notes
Here’s a view of Hood River’s fireworks display from the 1970s. Happy Independence Day from Historic Hood River. Whether you’re enjoying the parade or the fireworks, you’re part of a tradition stretching back to our city’s earliest days.
L.E.
Thanks Arthur.
In the Camas Prairie/Glenwood Valley area, there was an early flag raising. Some sources say 1862, but I think it was the July fourth of 1867 or 68. However, he does make a reference to "rebel" which could be 1862.
Because of the winters, there were no permanent settlers in the valley, but stockmen from the White Salmon area would drive their cattle here in the summer to graze.
Albert J Thompson says:
"On the Fourth of July we had a novel flag-raising, possibly the first on that prairie, and certainly Old Glory has not since floated in that valley from a loftier or more substantial "staff"
Near the corrals stood a giant pine tree. Its lower branches were about twenty feet from the ground. I first threw a rope over the lower one, then putting the flag (a small one) in my pocket, and tying a small straight stick to my belt, I managed to reach the lower limb; from there it was not difficult to climb to the very top, where I fastened the little flag to its staff, and this to the tree. "All day long, that free flag tossed", but not, "Over the heads of a rebel host"; and at nightfall I climbed that tree again and "lowered the Colors". I wish I owned that little flag now, that I might give it to the keeping of the Pioneers of Western Klickitat County.
Happy Fourth everyone. It has been an important traditional day for a few hundred years.
Steve r
Such a great period shot- of the early Port of HR – taken from above in White Salmon WA on the north shore of the Columbia River.
Charlott
Notice how much snow is on Hood on the 4th of July. Not this year of 2015 that is for sure…….