Historic Hood River
Mayerdale
10-13-2026
Notes
This journey began with 1925 Oregon license place found in the brush by a home between Mosier and Rowena. A record search connected it to a 1923 Case truck owned by Mark A. Mayer, residing in the Benson Hotel in Portland.
The history on Case trucks is sparse:Â they may have been manufactured between 1920 and 1923 by J. I. Case Plow Works in Wisconsin.
But Mark A. Mayer– there’s a rich history to follow there. Mark Mayer was both son and employee of Jacob A. Mayer of Portland, who founded Fleischner, Mayer and Co., one of Portland’s most successful early wholesalers. Jacob Mayer was a prominent member of Portland’s early Jewish community, not to be confused with Aaron Meier of Meier & Frank.
The story has it that in the very early days of the 20th century Mark Mayer was in New York city on a buying trip for Fleischner, Mayer and Company, socializing with his friend Diamond Jim Brady. Diamond Jim suggested owning an orchard was the thing for a young gentleman to do. In 1910 Mayer acquired on a 232 acre property east of Mosier, which he named “Mayerdale,” since all fancy farms require a distinguished name. He proceeded to build a road to Mayerdale from the Mosier rail depot (these were the days before the Columbia River Highway) and planted a large orchard.
By now you’ve probably figured out Mayerdale is that beautiful house and farm (now a vineyard) east of Mosier, at a bend in the Columbia River Highway just before it climb to the Rowena plateau. Mayer resided at the Benson Hotel when he was in Portland, but I’ll bet the truck bearing this plate made the trip between the Mosier depot and Mayerdale frequently. By this truck’s era Mayer had given his road from Mosier to the Oregon Highway Department to be part of the Columbia River Highway. Mayer’s donations to the state didn’t end there: he later donated the land which is now Mayer State Park at Rowena, Oregon.
This license plate sat in the woods (likely a dumping ground for Mayerdale) for 100 years, waiting to tell its story. And those flecks of bright yellow paint? 1925 Oregon plates were black letters on a yellow background. That paint survived 100 years in the elements to add some color to this photoblog.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Leave A Comment
Mayerdale
Notes
This journey began with 1925 Oregon license place found in the brush by a home between Mosier and Rowena. A record search connected it to a 1923 Case truck owned by Mark A. Mayer, residing in the Benson Hotel in Portland.
The history on Case trucks is sparse:Â they may have been manufactured between 1920 and 1923 by J. I. Case Plow Works in Wisconsin.
But Mark A. Mayer– there’s a rich history to follow there. Mark Mayer was both son and employee of Jacob A. Mayer of Portland, who founded Fleischner, Mayer and Co., one of Portland’s most successful early wholesalers. Jacob Mayer was a prominent member of Portland’s early Jewish community, not to be confused with Aaron Meier of Meier & Frank.
The story has it that in the very early days of the 20th century Mark Mayer was in New York city on a buying trip for Fleischner, Mayer and Company, socializing with his friend Diamond Jim Brady. Diamond Jim suggested owning an orchard was the thing for a young gentleman to do. In 1910 Mayer acquired on a 232 acre property east of Mosier, which he named “Mayerdale,” since all fancy farms require a distinguished name. He proceeded to build a road to Mayerdale from the Mosier rail depot (these were the days before the Columbia River Highway) and planted a large orchard.
By now you’ve probably figured out Mayerdale is that beautiful house and farm (now a vineyard) east of Mosier, at a bend in the Columbia River Highway just before it climb to the Rowena plateau. Mayer resided at the Benson Hotel when he was in Portland, but I’ll bet the truck bearing this plate made the trip between the Mosier depot and Mayerdale frequently. By this truck’s era Mayer had given his road from Mosier to the Oregon Highway Department to be part of the Columbia River Highway. Mayer’s donations to the state didn’t end there: he later donated the land which is now Mayer State Park at Rowena, Oregon.
This license plate sat in the woods (likely a dumping ground for Mayerdale) for 100 years, waiting to tell its story. And those flecks of bright yellow paint? 1925 Oregon plates were black letters on a yellow background. That paint survived 100 years in the elements to add some color to this photoblog.
Roger Sheldrake
When the conversation presented it’s self; I have sometimes added that Just-in-Case made tractors you know. Sometimes funny? But I didn’t know until this morning his name was Jerome Increase Case. Plus they made the Greater Case 40 car. My kind of car; 11 inch ground clearance!!
Always nice to start the day reading down a rabbit hole!
Thanks
Thorn
Yes, great entry Arthur! It’s like you read my mind with “By now you’ve probably figured out…” I’ve always admired and pointed out that house, very cool to have the story behind it. I’m curious what that 232 acres cost in 1910 or its value now. And who makes wine from those grapes.