Historic Hood River
Liberty Home Orchard
7-24-2026
Notes
This is a nice close up view of A.I. and Ollie Mason’s Liberty Home Orchard. We know it was in Pine Grove, off Mason Road, but I’m not positive of the exact location. The view below is my best guess. Does anyone know for sure exactly where the water tower was located?
We have a photo of the water tower which includes the caption “After the fire?” I couldn’t find a specific reference to the Mason water tower burning, but I did find two references to water towers burning after their pipes froze in the winter and someone tried to thaw them with a torch. Consider yourself warned!
Thorn
That is an impressively tall water tower! isn’t that like 5-6 stories? Ironically, one purpose of water towers is to have pressurized water to fight fire.
After some searching I couldn’t find any other images of a water tower similar in height and design–are we sure that’s what it is?
Chase DeBoard
The right side of that big white packing house building still exists in the same spot, minus the much larger left addition which burnt down.
Granted the building I’m referring to, is weathered to more grey then white nowadays.
I’m guessing The photographer is basically standing at what is the current threshold of Mason road & the pavement entrance to Wells & Son.
The water tower looks to be previously located on what is now the lawn of the house tucked behind Wells & Son.
Arthur Babitz
Thanks Chase, I’ve updated the Street View to include the barn and the house you described. Unfortunately someone parked a truck in the way, but you get the idea.
Arthur Babitz
Good question Thorn, and we have an answer. the Mason family album has a photo of the tower with the caption “85 ft water tower, 5000 gal tank” I don’t know if the height was for pressure, capacity, or view. I suspect it was all 3.
L.E.
Glad I didn’t have to put the roof on that water tower.
I wonder if Charlott saw the water tower when she was growing up?