Historic Hood River
“On the White House Grounds, 1907”
8-19-2026
Notes
It’s always fun to take a quick trip in the summer. We’re rejoining Ezra Meeker’s 1907 trip cross country to lobby Teddy Roosevelt for funds to mark the course of the Oregon Trail. Meeker made much of the money for the cause through the sale of postcards like this one. Many were lighthearted, including this one with this message on the reverse:
Roosevelt did not say to “Keep off the grass,” but gave cordial welcome to the ox team that had traveled 22 months to reach the capital, 3600 miles, and lent an attentive ear as to the purposes of the trip.
I believe that’s the West Wing of the White House in the background.
Thorn
I find this photo fascinating with many threads of Oregon history, including Merriweather Lewis working here as Secretary to the President under Thomas Jefferson and Walter Water’s Bonus Army marching on Herbert Hoover.
L.E.
This would be Meeker standing by his oxen Dave and Dandy. That is probably his driver William Marden and dog Jim. The ox, Twist, died in Nebraska. That had to have been heart breaking. He was replaced by Dandy.
Meeker was 76 years old when he made this return trip on the Oregon Trail. Same age as me. I am interested in the Oregon Trail, but I have no desire to travel it in a prairie schooner pulled by a team of oxen.
Financially, Ezra had done quite well in Washington Territory, growing hops. Then aphids attacked and he lost everything and he was back to being poor.
He managed to gather up enough parts, to have this “prairie schooner” wagon built, but when he and William first started out, they didn’t eat well, because funds were short.
In Pendleton, Meeker purchased a camera. That was the start of these post cards documenting the trip. The sale of the post cards helped finance the trip.
L.E.
The West Wing, would have just recently been built by President Teddy Roosevelt.
L.E.
Ezra Meeker’s 1924 trans-continental flight to Washington DC.
He was 96 years old and one observer said he moved like a spry 40 year old.
https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/dec/06/clark-county-history-ezra-meekers-transcontinental-flight/
Thorn
A million “Likes” L.E.! Thank you for all you contribute.