Historic Hood River
O-So-Good Brand
Notes
From Madeleine:
This week’s Madeleine’s Monday brings you a can of O-So-Good “Hood River Choice” Royal Anne cherries. Although now empty, this one-pound, four-ounce can of local cherries was produced by the Apple Growers’ Association of Hood River (formed in 1913). The paper label remains in excellent condition and features an appealing-looking branch of bright red and yellow cherries.
The only AGA cannery I can find in the Sanborn maps was the 1942 edition. It was located at the present site of Full Sail Brewing on Columbia between 4th and 6th. The only other cannery I know of was the Hood River Canning Company. This post tells the history of that cannery which was located in the building now know as “The Ruins”.
Does anyone know when the last cannery in Hood River shut down? I believe the AGA cannery continued operations for many years after 1942. I presume the current economics of the industry don’t leave any profit in canning fruit here, even with the abundance of product. The same seems to true for vinegar factories.
Tags: AGA, Apple Growers Association, artifact, cannery, canning, cherries, fruit, fruit packing, Madeleines Mondays
kmb
That is one fancy label….the gold text looks like it is embossed. I wonder why they had to change the weight printed on the label?
Kurt Cyrus
Arthur, the AGA cannery was still operating at least until 1973. I have a snapshot of it, taken from my window on Cascade Ave. I don’t know how much longer it operated after that; my family moved away in ’74.
L.E.
Growing up, all I knew were Royal Ann cherries. I remember the first time I had a dark cherry.