Historic Hood River
Mother Dean at WS
4-16-2020

Notes
This is one of those images that leaves me scratching my head. There is a pencil notation that looks old which says “Mother Dean at WS,” possibly White Salmon. A modern notation says “Dean Hunting Party.” I suppose this could be at a hunting camp, but I don’t see much evidence of that.
Charlott
If you notice many of the women have those little blanket type things. I have seen these before and if I recall most of them were made out of scraps of velvet and some shiny fabrics. I think there might be a connection between those little things and the photo. Can't see anything to indicate hunting. You wouldn't dress such or have your little ones with you. Can't figure it out that is for sure.
Jeffrey W Bryant
This picture becomes much more interesting using the MyHeritage colorizing tool. The ground looks muddy. There appears to be a second tent in the background.
Kyle
Hardwoods in the background, not deciduous trees. Interesting.
Kyle
Whoops. Make that “not coniferous.”
kmb
When I saw WS, my first thought was Warm Springs, but not sure that makes much sense either. Perhaps the tent made me think of a teepee. I would say that is a lot of women and children for a “hunting party”. They must have had quite the caravan to get all those folks to where this location is.
Melody Shellman
Crazy quilts. Sometime between 1900 and 1910, judging by the clothing and hairstyles. Also, that's when crazy quilts were crazy popular to make. 🙂
L.E.
I am guessing by this photo, http://historichoodriver.com/index.php?showimage=995 Mrs. Dean is on the right side of this photo at the back. Her sons T.F. and A.J. Shepler and her husband Oliver Dean owned timber land on both sides of the River.
I am going to make a guess these are a group of Unitarian Church women. It doesn’t look like a wedding party but Susan Dean’s son T.F. married Minnie Wyers November 2, 1904 in White Salmon. Minnie was a member of the Unitarians. They were married by Dr. Eliot.
Arlen Sheldrake
a church related gathering seems reasonable based on the “sunday” duds. no dog??
nels
With the mud and the deciduous trees this could be down by a river, too early to see leaves yet. So early spring, late fall?
L.E.
At first glance I thought the lady in front looked ill and unhealthy, but I think she actually has two black eyes.