Historic Hood River
Pioneers at Rockford Grange
6-28-2022
Notes
This May 1953 Ray Weber photo shows a meeting of the Hood River Pioneer Society at the Rockford Grange. The Pioneer Society was the predecessor of our museum’s “Hood River Heritage Council” and they did much to preserve stories and artifacts of Hood River History.
The Rockford Grange building survives. Can someone fill us in on its history?
Dan
I wonder when and why they removed those front steps and moved them to the side. Those original steps where really nice
L.E.
Photo #201 lists some of the pioneer names at this meeting. It also includes comments from Charlott.
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=201
Like so many Hood River buildings, the Rockford Grange is a well built building.
L.E.
In 2020, the Rockford Grange was 100 years old.
https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/rockford-grange-celebrates-100-years/article_afbb2637-ca80-56e2-aa8a-21dae1b57a3d.html
"…..Rockford Community Grange received its charter in 1913. Before it was called Rockford, it was called Westside and Park Grange. When Rockford was built it was the largest Grange in the State……"
starboard
’48-’50 Ford in the lower left corner?
ArthurB
I agree Dan, I like the old steps. The building is close to the road. I’m guessing the steps were reconfigured for parking. Or maybe they just rotted out and it was cheaper to replace them this way?
nels
It still serves the agricultural community as a place to sell spring plants, seed exchange, occasional dances and social events, a local church meeting,
fall garden produce sale, weekly organic and locally grown organic foods
to name a few things. Hopefully some else will speak up..
Kyle
We get our seed starts there every year.
L.E.
In the September 14, 1911 HR Glacier, there is something about Park Grange can’t pay their mortgage, donating land to the West Side Park Association.
There is reference to Park Grange through 1924, the last year that HR Glacier is online. But there is no reference to Rockford Grange.
I wonder if a Westside Park was ever formed?
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1911-09-14/ed-1/seq-4.pdf
Jeffrey W Bryant
The Park Grange Hall was dedicated in 1923, see Hood River Glacier, March 29, 1923, page 1
kmb
I was going to say we have seen this picture before, but it is actually a different picture from Image #201. My great-great uncle, Walter Hinrichs, is in the front row seated, second from left. He was the youngest son of John W. Hinrichs, pioneer of HR area.
Dale Nicol
Starboard, the 1949 Ford was the first year for the body style shown in the photo.