Historic Hood River
Half Way Across
4-1-2021
Notes
This is a good example of how context helps identify a photo. This view is from one of the Plog sisters’ albums. We know from other pictures on the page they were on an excursion in 1926, and they even took a picture of the new bridge from the White Salmon bluffs. “Half way across” lets us know they walked across the new (1924) Hood River- White Salmon Interstate Bridge. You can see Koberg Beach in the background.
L.E.
I wonder how much foot traffic there was on the bridge in 1926? I assume quite a bit.
Edna Plog was teaching in White Salmon about this time so perhaps this was not an unfamiliar walk for her.
Kyle
Would love to be able to walk/bike across the river here.
L.E.
Yes, wouldn't that be a beautiful walk/ride. Except when the wind is blowing.
I feel sorry for the flag people when there is work being done on the bridge on a windy day.
nels
Do the plans for a new bridge include a pedestrian way?
kmb
Thinking the bridge was of steel truss construction, I was wondering about the wood construction as shown in the image above. Checking the past images, I see from the notes for Image 2056 that the original bridge driving surface was wood planking that was replaced by steel grating in 1951. The wood side rails shown in that 1951 photo match the original railing as shown above.
ArthurB
Nels, federal rules require bike/ped crossing for any new bridge. The Port's website shows some images of what it might look like.
Kyle
If/when that new bridge does come to pass, I can see a lot of ebike owners in White Salmon commuting to work in Hood River that way. Would be a lovely (and windy) ride on an electric bike.
Arlen L Sheldrake
HR County Deputy Sheriff John L. Sheldrake related that the lack of sidewalk on the bridge was a benefit on some one-way trips for occasional patrol car “passengers” back in the late 40s.
Kenn
Are they on a bridge or a ferry?