Historic Hood River
On the Mecca Grade
3-17-2020
Notes
Continuing on our virtual road trip: It’s August 15, 1924, and Olga’s intrepid party has made it all the way up the Mecca Grade, leaving the Deschutes River behind them. I wonder how much tossing and turning there was in the tent last night anticipating this climb? Even today climbing that hill feels like an accomplishment. Imagine doing it in a car with primitive brakes and a primitive cooling system.
I suspect they pulled over to enjoy the view and let the engine cool down a little. They’re about to launch out across the desert toward Madras, so I hope they have plenty of supplies.
Check back this afternoon to see how far they got.
Category: default
Tags: 1920s, automobile, bridge, camping, Deschutes River, Mecca, Plog, road trip, tent, Warm Springs
Tags: 1920s, automobile, bridge, camping, Deschutes River, Mecca, Plog, road trip, tent, Warm Springs
JKG
Arthur, thank you so much for the needed diversion this week!
Charlott
We used to go to Bend from Hood River when I was small to visit my great uncle and aunt, Warney and Nell (Perry) Wells. Even in the late 1940’s it was a very long trip and in the summer a very hot one, as no AC in car. They resided in Bend but had a cabin on the Metolius River which we used to go out to. One trip I remember vividly. We got outside Madras and the car stopped and wouldn’t run. My Dad left us in the unmerciful sun, hitch hiked back to Madras, called Uncle Warney, who came and rescued us. It was the fuel pump, thus that hill always remains "Fuel Pump Hill."
Kenn
Going SE up the grade the old road is visible above as a rock wall
L.E.
When I first saw HHR photo #239 of the Davenport family leaving HR with teams and wagons, headed for Bend, I would envision this area they were traveling through.
This auto trip series of photos will make it even more realistic.
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=239