Historic Hood River
“Old Eastside Grade”
5-11-2020
Notes
The original bridge across the Hood River dropped people at the base of this narrow, difficult climb up to Button Junction. Button Junction was only the start of the long climb up to Pine Grove. It’s hard to imagine people traversing this route on a regular basis, but it was one of the major transportation routes of the valley.
Charlott
This shows quite a bit of things of interest. Good view of the cottonwoods there in the background. Good view of Fashion Stables over there, but wonder what the big barn in off to the left?
Very obvious there was problems with that road slipping off into the river, not to mention how many rigs have contributed to the condition those guard rails are in. I think I would be keeping my fingers and toes crossed going up or down that road. Can you imagine what that would be like when it was raining. My guess is those people that lived out in the valley did NOT go to town very often if any during the winter. Think it should have been called "Slip and Slide Avenue."
It seems that the bridge across the river is quite a bit lower than it is now, but then there has been considerable work done in that area over the years.
Do I see boats out there showing through under the railroad bridge.
Very good photo….
Jeffrey W Bryant
Charlott’s post reminded me of Uncle Warren Wells’ death:
The Hood River Glacier, June 8, 1911
Warren Wells
Killed In Runaway
Warren Wells, a prominent apple-grower, was instantly killed at 10 o’clock tonight by being thrown from his spring wagon over the rail of the bridge crossing Hood River at the east end of State Street.
Mr. Wells, accompanied by his wife, three daughters, Elsie, Hattie and Goldie, a neighbor, Mrs. J. Dover and daughter, Miss Dover, was leaving town for his home on the east side, when on the approach to the bridge some part of the harness broke, allowing the wagon, drawn by horses briskly trotting, to run into the railing at the side of the bridge. Mr. Wells was thrown over the side of the bridge, falling 20 feet to the river bank. He struck on his head and sustained a broken neck.
Mrs. Wells and one daughter were thrown to the bridge and were unhurt. The other occupants of the rig saved themselves by jumping. Mr. Wells came here 20 years ago. He was 50 years old and besides his wife and daughters mentioned, he left a son, William, and daughter Jessie. Jerome Wells, of the East Side, and Charles Wells, of Edmonton, Alberta, are surviving brothers of the deceased.
After funeral services, conducted by Rev. J. H. Hargreaves, at the undertaking parlor of S. E. Bartmess at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, the body was interred at the Idlewilde cemetery. The Modern Woodmen of America conducted ritualistic services at the grave.
L.E.
Does the outline of that hill in the background look similar to the one we saw a few days ago?
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=2398
Kenn
Driving south under the present RR bridge at this site you come to the east abutments of both earlier road bridges.
nels
So very very sad…and traumatic. Was the son old enough to take over the orchard, or did the brothers step in, or did she marry somebody who could take
over the orchard. Thank goodness the other women jumped but what a personal tragedy in such trying times as settling the Hood River valley. But somehow the Wells name survived and became a ‘valley name to this day.
Charlott
To add to the story of the death of my Uncle Warren, as it was told to me by my Grandpa Wells. Uncle Warren had a business dealing that morning and something to to his dislike as he left town, so he was whipping up the team pretty good. Early in his life he had had some sort of accident that caused him to loose two fingers, so he had limited use of that hand. So he did not have good control when this all happened.
His widow re-married to Andrew Stricker, who happened to be the brother of my great-grandmother Anna Mary (Stricker) Wells. It was he that took over Molly Wells’ farm, which is now the Laraway farm at the head of Whiskey Creek Road, where the famous red barn is that Andrew Stricker, Perry and Walter Wells built.
Warren’s son may have helped after his father died, but eventually left the valley, last heard from him he was in Idaho and then completely dropped out of sight. No one knew what happened to him.
I think there is an error, as it was not at night, but early in the morning, so probably about 10 a.m.
Kenn
This original wood RR bridge led to a curve into the station, the replacement that is still used is more in line with the station.