Historic Hood River
Research
Notes
History research never proceeds in a predictable manner. The other day I was trying to find a newspaper account dating the various railroad bridges across the Hood River, but instead I found these two intriguing articles.
The one on the left was from The Hood River Glacier issue of November 8, 1912. In addition to announcing Woodrow Wilson’s victory, there was this fascinating discussion about diverting the Hood River to its former channel to restore the fish run up the Hood River. I know from previous research that the main path of the Hood River through its delta has shifted between a more easterly and a more westerly path multiple times since the earliest record I can find (1857). It’s unclear whether their efforts were productive. A fish biologist I discussed this with was skeptical.
The article to the right was from The Hood River Glacier issue of September 21, 1905. Can you imagine finding a token from the fur trade in your yard on Sherman Avenue? We can only guess as to how it got here. This article suggests these tokens may have been more adornments than trade tokens. Auction results show a modern value between $2000 and $6000, with an auction record of more than $12,000 for a copper version of the token. The acid treatment probably didn’t help its value.
I never did find a definitive answer about the railroad bridge dates, but I did learn the OR&N Company had a continuously employed “bridge crew” which traveled up and down the track building and repairing bridges.
Will
I’m guessing the term "Nimrods" refers to local anglers in its older meaning as "skillful hunters" rather than the present day pejorative.
ArthurB
I think this usage of the term "nimrod" faded sometime in the middle of the last century. I recall hearing it used, but not often and always by older folks.
andyb
Any idea where that coin is now?
kmb
Thank you, Arthur, for your research and sharing your findings. I learn something new almost every day on this site – for example, I never knew there as a "non-pejorative" meaning to the term nimrod. The article on the left leaves me wondering about the history of fish runs, specifically salmon, in the Hood River. Can you see or catch spawning salmon in the river today? If not common today, was it possible 100 years ago?
nels
Want to see salmon swimming upstream? Take the local road east out of Cascade Locks and stop at the bridge near the fish hatchery. Or go to the next exit and park by the ticket spot and walk 10 feet to watch them swimming in 10" or less water as they swim under the RR track.