Historic Hood River
“Retailers of Everything to Wear”
Notes
I’ve used this image of the “new and improved” Paris Fair Building in many presentations but don’t think I’ve posted it on this site. There is still a little construction debris on 4th Street and they haven’t yet added the “1906” placard on the face of the building, but there are goods for sale on the first floor. I can see two sewing machines in windows on the second floor, along with what shelves storing inventory or records. We also have a great view of the Bartmess Furniture and Undertaking building.
While the streets have been paved (a couple of times) in the intervening 118 years, both of these buildings survive. Both facades have been modified but they are still recognizable.
While the Paris Fair Building included modern electric lights and a lighted sign in the corner, it was designed to allow for ample indirect light so the interior would be well-lit without fading the merchandise excessively. The lower two stories and the mezzanine housed the department store, while the top floor was originally the Oddfellows hall.
The windows show a very distorted reflection of the two story wood frame building across the street. In 1905 it housed offices and a grocer, in 1909 a tailor and a millinery. You can see it a couple of years earlier in this view.
Tags: 1900s, 4th Street, Bartmess Building, Oak Street, Paris Fair, undertaker, wagon
Cecelia Goodnight
Wonderful picture and worth going back to link to buildings across the street. I wonder if the Barclay’s soda fountain bar is still at Pheasant Valley Winery. What is small building in back of Paris Fair and is that a paved sidewalk down side of building in today’s post?
nels
There appears to be an overhead sign running from the front corner of the building to the ‘telephone’ post. Any idea what it says?
Arthur Babitz
I’m only seeing power lines. In later years there was a sign advertising “Garage” across Oak Street, but in 1906 there wasn’t much traffic up at this end of Oak Street since the Columbia River Highway didn’t exist.
nels
Look again, at the end of the word “WEAR” there is a sign that passes over the sidewalk and is hooked to the telephone post with two straps. That points to parking or …?
ArthurB
Ah, yes, that’s the lighted “Paris Fair” sign I mentioned. There is a better view of it in this post: https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org/chemical-engine/
William C. Seaton
I lived behind the balcony from 1951 to 1955.