Historic Hood River
George P. Crowell Store
4-7-2011
Notes
The George P. Crowell Store was an anchor of downtown Hood River at the end of the 19th century. It was located at the SW corner of Second and Oak, facing onto Second Street. George Crowell bought the store in the mid-1890’s from E.L. Smith, and sold it in 1902. Clarence English joined George Crowell on the porch for this image.
This corner is now home to the Hall Building (Gorge Fly Shop, Mountainview Bicycles). Here’s a more recent view.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 1890s, 2nd Street, Crowell, English, George Crowell Store, Oak Street
Tags: 1890s, 2nd Street, Crowell, English, George Crowell Store, Oak Street
l.e.
The actual building looks much larger than the previous drawing, but style wise the drawing is accurate.
I like the foundation!
I wonder if the "fascia" above each window is merely for decoration or serves a purpose.
Arthur
Clarence English was George Crowell’s stepson, and worked with him in the store.
Charlott
Clarence C. English served in the military in The Phillipines. He married Alice Stewart on 21 December 1900 in Califonria. They had two sons, Edgar and Robert.
Andrea
Clarence is my great grandfather. He later moved to the San Francisco area and became an engraver.
Jeffrey Bryant
The Hood River Glacier, July 16, 1908, page 2
HOOD RIVER TO LOSE OLD LAND MARK
With the removal of the large wooden building occupied as a store by R. B. Bragg & Company, Hood River is about to lose one of its oldest and most interesting land marks.
For many years its broad steps and long stoop have served in the capacity of the meeting place, forum and lounging spot for Hood River’s inhabitants and we think it is safe to say that there is not a man in Hood River valley who at some time has not rested his anatomy on this ever convenient roosting place. It has been the center for discussions affecting both town and nation and the chosen spot for gossip. "I’ll meet you on Bragg’s corner" are bywords that are about to lose their significance in the march of progress. To its regular habitues the demolition of this public sitting place is looked upon as something approaching an outrage and we are informed that if possible an injunction would have been secured to stay the hand of the iconoclasts who with ax and crowbar pried apart the time worn boards that afforded rest for the weary.
As to the building, it was erected in 1882 by E. L. Smith who for a number of years conducted a general store in it. When build it was by far the most pretentious structure anywhere in the vicinity of Hood River and was the only building on the block. Later Mr. Smith sold the stock of goods to A. S. Blowers who took his son Lawrence into partnership and conducted the business under the firm name of Blowers & Son.
Afterwards Mr. Blowers sold a half interest in the business to Geo. P. Crowell. When Mr. Blowers decided to retire he sold his interest to Mr. Crowell, who also bought the building from Mr. Smith, paying $3,500 for it.
As storekeeper of the largest mercantile business at Hood River Mr. Crowell also acted in the capacity of its banker and for several years and one who had any money deposited with him. In fact until about 1900 when the Butler Banking Company opened its bank here, Crowell’s store was the center of all financial transactions of any magnitude. At that time very little coin was jingling in the pockets of Hood River residents and the occasion for spending more than two bits necessitated the issuing of an order on Geo. Crowell. When Mr. Crowell went out of business he sold the stock of goods to R. B. Bragg & Company and afterwards disposed of the building to Dr. T. L. Eliot. Later Mr. Eliot sold the property to Chas. Hall who is about to replace it with a brick business block.
L.E.
The January 23, 1892 HR Glacier page 2 has a Notice of Dissolution that the partnership existing under the name of Blowers and Crowell is dissolved by mutual consent.
Dated Dec. 1st 1891