Historic Hood River
Nordby, June 17th 1938
7-30-2012
Notes
Whatever “Nordby” was, it ceased to be sometime shortly before June 17th 1938. It looks to me like this is somewhere near Wells Island, just west of Hood River.
[Ed. note: ‘Nordby’ was actually in Bingen. See comment stream for some details.]
Category: Klickitat County
Tags: 1930s, Alva Day, Bingen, Columbia River, fire, Mystery Monday, Nordby
Tags: 1930s, Alva Day, Bingen, Columbia River, fire, Mystery Monday, Nordby
Rawhyde
Looks like it had a lot of power to it. Interesting water flume (presumably) in the background. Was this a mill of some sort?
charlott
Could this have something to do with the old Jay-Mar mill that was about in this area?
Bill Seaton
This site does look close to Jay-Mar Mill location, but as I recall, Jay-Mar burned down in the early 1950’s.
spinsur
pix of jay mar: http://community.gorge.net/natres/saf/history/history_of_hood_river_county/Jay_Mar_thumbs.html
spinsur
and:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/74333974
Arthur
According to the Mt. Adams Sun from 6/17/1938, the Nordby Lumber and Box Company planing and resaw mill at Bingen was scheduled to open the following week when it burned to the ground. Hood River, White Salmon, and Bingen fire departments all responded but were unable to save the facility. I’m guessing it was where the SDS facility is currently located.
Jill Stanford
Spinsur -I went to that panoramio site and was fascinated with"Curious George"s photo album of things I didn’t even know existed in around Hood River and the Columbia Gorge. Who is Curious George?
nels
Is it possibly high water based on the look of the trees in the background? That would change familiar landmarks. That was a real tragedy to whom-
ever Nordbye was, and the folks who were lined up to work there
Arthur
Jill– I think you mean "Curious Gorge." Those photos relate to Scott Cook’s guidebook of the same name. He’s a regular commenter here, and his book is full of great facts.
Arthur
nels, remember the river level had just been raised by the Bonneville Dam when this photo was taken. I suspect there were scenes like this with flooded trees up and down the shores of the Bonneville Pool.
Jill Stanford
Thank you Arthur — yes, that is the name. I will buy it at the bookstore in HR the next time I am up there. Quite interesting!
Arthur
Jill, as Scott Cook is always quick to help out with this photoblog, I’ll let you know I’ve seen his book for sale at Waucoma Bookstore, Dog River Coffee, Artifacts and Rosauers checkout– I’m sure there are other spots. Powell’s also stocks it in Portland. If you buy it used make sure you get the current edition (3rd, I think) as it has been extensively updated since his first version.
s
And if you’re 18+, I recommend, too, his other guidebook to the Gorge… which believe it or not, most I’ve seen pick up first for the obvious, then get so sidetracked by the history that they forget about the other!
Jill Stanford
I am 18++++++++ Arthur!
charlott
Nordby was a lumber and box factory that went bankrupt. Wally and Bruce Stevenson, along with frank Daubenspeck bought it in early 1946, so it is the forerunner to SDand S Lumber we know today in Bingen.
Steve
Re: 18 +- …… Very very sad when gorge area special places get exploited for the almighty buck…. vie of sex- …. a good book ?? not’a …… that book with frontal nudity is often seen on the stands at coffee houses within reach of kids- … think again…. thanks but no thanks…
I generally do not patronize any business that displays the 18 + addition.
Scott Cook
Spinsur, thanks for the link to the Jay Mar page, as those are the only images that I’ve yet seen of the former mill and site!! I have uploaded literally thousands of images to Google earth…sprinkled liberally around our Gorge. Lately I’ve uploadd a few hundred more that specifically relate to mostly-unknown Gorge historic sites. Click on any of those images, like the few I placed at the Jay Mar Mill site, and you can then see the whole collection of these historic pix by clicking on my name "guidebook Curious Gorge".
FYI, for those that may care/not care…Pokin Round the Gorge is now out of print…but Curious Gorge is available most everywhere in HR. Apologies to the folk who may not have understood th method behind my madness with the Pokin book.
Scott Cook
On a closer look it seems that you can see Stanley Rock peeking over the tops of the trees. Good call on the Nordby infos everyone!!
Eric Nordby
Been trying to find out more about the roots of Nordby and where all the mills were. These mills I believe were started by my great grandfather, Thomas W. Nordby…or possibly his father. I was up in Bingen last weekend, trying to find out more. If anyone has any other details let me know. Would love to learn more.
Eric Nordby
I was just up in Bingen last weekend trying to learn more about the family history. I believe this was my great grandfather’s mill: Thomas W. Nordby. I know my grandfather was born right in Bingen and a lot of my family history is rooted in the region. Would SO love to learn more. Can anyone in the area provide me with any resources. I live in PDX and love that region because it reminds me so much of my time in Norway. Really wonderful area, Hood River, Bingen, & White Salmon.
Thanks all.