Historic Hood River
Hood River Beach circa 1915
Notes
I think I posted this beach view on Flickr before, but not at this website. We saw another view three years ago. Now I have much more context, so it’s worth another look.
I believe this is the “new beach east of the city” referred to in the August 26, 1915 Hood River Glacier. It’s probably right where the Hood River- White Salmon Bridge takes off from now.
Here’s a charming article about this beach:
Harry Bailey Victim of Beach Thieves
Harry Bailey, member of the city police force, was forced to return home sockless and penniless from the Columbia beach Wednesday afternoon of last week. Mr. Bailey was the victim of beach thieves, thought to be small boys, whom he himself had set himself to watch. While the officer, who is very fond of a swim, was disporting himself in the limpid depths of the Columbia cove, some one broke into a bath house and relieved Mr. Bailey of his pocketbook and socks. Fortunately, he had left his revolver at Frank Dayton’s booth.
And here’s another one:
FIVE YOUNG MEN
Five young men, William Chandler, Fred Coshow. Forrest L. Moe, Edwin Sonnichsen and William Hostettler, accompanied by a convoy of three row boats, swam the Columbia river from the new beach east of the city Sunday. The first of the swimmers to reach the Washington bank, a straight distance of a little more than a mile, made a record time of 25 minutes. The other boys followed him closely.
spinsur
Not to take away from the beach scene (with all due respect, perhaps it’s the fellow in the overcoat that bothers me) but that’s quite a jetty being built across the river near the bottom of "dock" grade.
charlott
Forrest Moe grew up on the family ranch, called "Glacier Ranch" near Odell. I believe Sonnichsen had something to do with the newspaper at one time. Anway he was from Minnesota and came here. He died in Hood River in 1986. William Chandler’s father was in real estate here in Hood River. Fred Coshow was the son of John and Emma Coshow.
Arthur
That thing at the bottom of dock grade– I’m pretty sure it’s a dock! Looks like a nice one, with plenty of room for high water and a float at the end.
l.e.
Looks like the WA. dock also sticks out far enough into the river to accommodate low water.
I assumed the guy in the overcoat was a Father.
Do you suppose the young men in swimsuits in front of us are the competitive swimmers? I can only find four.
No women in swimsuits. I don’t think there are even any little girls out there playing in the water.
Burdoin Mtn. appears to have more trees on it. In some photos it seems bare of vegetation.
spinsur
sigh… I knew I was being too subtle w/ "jetty" and "dock grade"… 😉
James
Ie, that Father in the overcoat looks like the classic definition of a ‘lurker’ to me. This beach spot seems quite close to the old H.R. swimming area. Where currently the watersports schools and rentals are, just past the marina.!
Jill
No little girls that i can see either but there is a dog digging in the sand. I hope the guy in the overcoat (which is, admittedly, odd) is *not* a lurker hoping to catch a glimpse of ankle.
Norma
Looks like a little girl on the far left in a white dress or coat.
Steve r
Here’s a link with pictures to click on – showing the view from White Salmon WA looking down on HR- just across the way- http://www.gorgeheritage.org/history-summary/historical-images
Buzz
I wonder if some of our comments about the "lurker" doesn’t say more about our society today than it does about the man with the overcoat. We don’t have a clue as to who or what he is. But we assume the worst.