Historic Hood River
Mt. Hood Tavern Dining Room
11-17-2020
Notes
We have this nice view of a dinner reception from Alva Day, dated October 10, 1947. On a hunch I sent it to the See’s of the Mt. Hood Tavern/Tamarack Lodge, and they verified this is indeed one of the two dining rooms at the restaurant, and the event was a reception for Senator Byrd (presumably the guy in the center). We saw the exterior in this image.
The crumpled napkins and bits of leftover food tell me this was taken after dinner. I’m a little surprised the see french fries on one plate– I’m not sure I’ve ever seen leftover french fries.
We’re told Alva Day’s crew installed electricity at the restaurant that summer. Up until then there would have been lanterns on the tables.
Charlott
Back in the left hand corner, next to the man in the white shirt with the tie, I think is my great-uncle Walter Wells. As this has to do with electricity, I feel this is likely to be him, as he was one of the founders of the Hood River Electric Co-op.
Roxie
Noticing the skis on the wall makes me think this is definitely a dining room at Tamarack Lodge on the Cooper Spur Road.
Now you say Senator Byrd. Are you referring to Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia or some state senator with the last name of Byrd?
L.E.
Looks like the happy lady is finishing her french fries. The unhappy ladies are sitting next to the smell of a cigar.
kmb
Or perhaps Senator Harry F. Byrd from Virginia, who was a longtime U.S. Senator from 1933 to 1965? Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia didn't enter the U.S. Senate until 1959.
Kyle
I still see lanterns on the tables.
ArthurB
Yes, I suppose there still are some lanterns on the tables.
I assumed Senator Byrd was a state senator, but I haven't checked state records to be sure.
kmb
Arthur – I checked the roster for the 1947 Oregon legislative session and didn't find any Byrd listed. However, that doesn't mean there wasn't a State Senator Byrd from earlier sessions.
L.E.
I looked for Harry or Robert visiting Oregon, but didn't come up with anything.
nails
Maybe this was an early push for the Bonneville Dam electrification project? Isn't this the age of BPA and all the other dam projects?
Jeffrey W Bryant
The man with the cigar resembles pictures of Harry F. Byrd of Virginia. I didn't know what Grandpa Walter Wells looked like when he was younger. I know he was heavily involved with the Democrat Party in Hood River County, and was good friends with politicians like Wayne Morse and Al Ullman.
ArthurB
The skis have the words “TAVERN” and “SKI”, as well as the partial word “HO” (or possibly “NO”). I cannot make out any detail in the picture on the wall.
Charlott
With Walter being so into the political scene we were exposed to both Ulman and Morse. We in fact all Wayne Morse “Uncle Wayne.” They would sometimes appear at the packing house and unlike the usual when only in emergencies during production hours could that machine be stopped. It was full stop so Uncle Walter could walk down the packing line and everyone MUST shake hands with them….It was quite a laugh at the time.
Stever
Arthur – great pic ! Can you make out any thing in the picture on the wall ? Can you help us with the verbiage written on the skis ? Steve Gibson
Alan Winston
Skis seem to say “SKI SHOP” with only traces of the S and H around the HO.