Historic Hood River
Oak Street, 1964
4-12-2018
Notes
This end of Oak Street isn’t doing so well in this 1964 view. Further down the block we see the Pastime (Cigars-Drinks), Young’s Bakery, Mode o’day, and Hal’s Menswear.
The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
Arlen Sheldrake
this native continues to be totally amazed with the changes in downtown HR since I departed in 1960…..we never had anything good to say about the damn wind………
JKG
It’s a good reminder of what Hood River could have been. Tourism has its drawbacks, but it sure does make for a nice and bustling downtown.
Charlott
The one thing that hits me right between the eyes in this photo is that CLOCK. I still say that it needs to be repaired and in tip top running order. It is so much a part of downtown. Should get some sort of fund raising project to repair that. I suppose it would all have to go through whoever owns that building…Who owns it Arthur?
Bill Seaton
In my day in the 1940’s and 50’s, I knew that vacant building as Barclay’s Pharmacy and next to it was Ziegler’s. And of course, that was the Cascadian Theater, where I used to regularly attend the Saturday matinees.
kmb
So….it appears the in-town movie theater was closed in 1964, but was sending people to the Trail Drive In 3 miles south of town? Guess it helped to have a car if you wanted to see a movie back then. I assume First National was still operating as a bank in the building on the corner with the clock – does anyone know when the bank finally vacated that building?
Arlen Sheldrake
Charlott…..I know a good clock person who maintains the Union Station clock in the tower here in Portland; I agree with you, it needs to be operating!!
Jeffrey Bryant
Baynes McSwain, my step-father, had the Rialto and Trail Theaters in Hood River, so the sign at the old Rialto directed people to his new business.
Longshot
I kind of view this era as a low spot in US automotive history. Maybe because the cars of this period would have been the junkers when I first started driving? Sure others will disagree.
Ricki Duckwall
The Rialto Theater was one block further west, if I’m remembering correctly, next to the small cafe there now. The Cascadian Theater was before my memory. I agree it would be nice to hear the clock chime again.
L.E.
Reflecting on this photo, I don’t remember any of the local towns being attractive during this time.
I don’t remember the economy being in a recession?? Definitely big heavy cars, with big tail fins.
Buzz
Longshot, that is sheer blasphemy. LOL. Today they all look like they go into one end of a wind tunnel and come out the other end looking alike. Maybe today they all look politically correct.
Judy
The clock will only chime when $$$ is raised to fix it. At one time I asked the bank about it & their answer was that they could not afford to maintain it. Same old story, it would be nice to bring it back, but no one wants to contribute.
L.E.
People seem to be pretty successful running GoFundMe campaigns for their birthday party.
nels
The mid 50’s were called the Eisenhower Recession in the midwest. I agree, all cars look just about the same now. Back then cars had style, and new models were released with much fanfare and hoopla.
Another vote for getting the clock going.
And one free day/week from parking meters to see if it wold impact downtown business.
Nicholas
Aw man, I love a good drive-in movie!
Barbara Parsons
I would donate my "widow’s mite" to help repair the clock. Could we purchase a warranty or a maintenance contract to keep it running? Check the city lawbook. At the city where I live now, it is illegal for a business to display a timepiece that isn’t running. Running correctly.
Barbara Parsons
Another "Aw, man! Those were GORGEOUS cars! So many prettyncolors, and those graceful fins!