Historic Hood River
New Generator
4-9-2015
Notes
I’m pretty sure this is the powerhouse for the Powerdale hydroelectric plant at Hood River. I’m not used to this vantage point, but perhaps some of you who fish from there can verify. I think that’s a billboard alongside the highway to the right.
Alva Day sure did have an ability to coax a little drama out of a pretty mundane subject. This was taken May 5, 1932.
Kenn
Rails for the traveling crane still exist at Powerdale.
L.E.
I wonder if someone locally owned the Cleveland Crane or if it had to be brought in from Portland?
Looks like the top of White Salmon’s Strawberry Mtn hovering in the distance.
L.E.
You know what….that powerhouse has some interesting architectural design to it.
I didn’t notice it until I zoomed in. Who would take the time to do that for a pretty mundane building?
Arthur
I think those architectural details qualify as Art Deco.
Kenn
LE, I believe the crane was constructed on site as a permanent feature to install and change out equipment brought in by rail as at most powerhouses. The fill for the RR siding is still evident.
spinsur
A little off topic, but today’s "throwback Thursday" is a look at the HCRH.
http://www.oregonlive.com/history/2015/04/throwback_thursday_100_years_a.html#incart_river
I’ve emailed the writer, and let him know about HHR, and that his unknown location is probably Wahkeena falls, and his hood river pic is probably also cascade lox.
Ellen
Anyone know the architect on this, or if there was one? Details are definitely Art Deco. Unfortunately AD was short lived,1920’s & 30’s, due to the depression and WWII and there is precious little of it in the PNW. Many architects were out of work in those days and were picking up jobs where they could, even mundane buildings, and adding some flare with the latest fashion…Art Deco. Check out the Leaburg Power Plant in Eugene for a beautiful AD design by Ellis Lawrence, a noted and prolific Portland architect.
Ellen
Anyone know what might become of this building?
Spinsur
Ellen, it was picked up by the county as part of the pacific power and Columbia land trust purchase/exchange. Will be a park someday, the building a possible caretakers residence, meeting hall, or? But there are hurdles with the railroad to overcome, and of course finding the money to develop.
Ellen
Thanks, always something. 🙂 Went down there today and it’s just lovely by the river. I see the power plant as a restaurant or maybe a smaller version of what Koberg Pavilion was. Hope it doesn’t take too long to get something underway.