Historic Hood River
Rustic Bridge at Oak Grove
3-15-2012
Notes
A while back I received a request for historic images of Oak Grove, but that’s not the easiest request to meet. Fortunately the owner of this stereo view labelled it “Rustic Bridge at Oak Grove.” I’m happy to take her word for it. Someone certainly put some extra effort into the aesthetics of this bridge.
Charlott
What craftsmanship….real artistic talent. Wonder who the contractor was? The little boy just adds charisma to the setting as he gazes off down stream.
Connie
What an awesome image. One can almost write a novel based on this picture. Who is the little boy? What is he looking at? Where does the bridge take you? Love it!
Gary
I wonder how long it was up and when it came down?
l.e.
My comments would be a repeat of the three above, so, from someone who does not live in Hood River ……
What creek is this?
Esther Smith
To me it looks like something that someone built for their driveway, and I suspect if there was a creek at all it wasn’t year-round. I will definitely keep my eyes out in the old papers for any comment on this. It’s beautiful!
Shellman
It makes me thinks of "Pooh sticks". Could that be Christopher Robin?
GG
I do believe the tree in the foreground, the bridge approach and the trees to the left are authentic..For the life of me I haven’t figured out where or how long it would have take to collect that many pieces of misshapen wood, to builld that railing…I would be embarased to call myself a woodsman after building that….A total lack of engieering. I Believe This pix to be a pencil drawing over a photograph…Possible?
Arthur
GG, interesting theory. I’ve put a detail from this photo on flickr: http://flic.kr/p/bqtD1Y
I don’t think the photo has been altered at all, but you can judge for yourself.
Charlott
I think it is a "dry" creek. Who in their right mind would go to all the effort and time to build something like this in the Hood River area, where there is always the possibility of "winter wash out" in the spring. This is just so impressive I wish we could find out who and exactly where it was…
GG
Sorry guys n gals if i seemed a bit negative..
Arthur….On the right edge of the original pic posted, is the what appears to be a sickly green fir tree, in reality some ageing of the original/photograph ?
The image on the flicker page seemed a bit more realistic..The Bridge had to surely have been a Labor of Love, as it must have been about to fall in, from decay by the time if was finished..the unbarked stringers and supports start to decay in a couple years
I could go on and on…I better quit while I’m ahead.
Arthur
GG, I enjoyed your point of view. I think we can all agree this is more art than engineering.
The discoloration on the right side is glue. This is from a stereo card, so two small photographs are glued to the card and someone was a bit sloppy. It’s pretty common with these old cards. I suspect they were made by hand, and those hands were moving very fast.
l.e.
You don’t seem negative GG. It is a strange, surreal photograph. Different ideas is how the mysteries here get solved.
I too wondered about the bark on the stringers, but, I can’t tell what kind of tree was used for the stringer. Looks like oak, but it is too long and straight.
I wondered if it is crossing a road, but doesn’t seem high enough.
For all of the detailed work, could it be located at the Columbia Gorge Hotel?
Kate D
I’m betting it was never intended for heavy vehicel usage, but I think the main logs look strong, all the bent woodwork is non-structural.
Ron
I live in Oak Grove and am looking for some early photos also. At the turn of the century and earlier the community was actually called Crapper (Not kidding) There was a store and church, fruit packing, etc
Patrica Huff
Betty Paddock and I have recently reopened the Oak Grove Store and would love to see any old photos of the store, church and area. Please give me a call or send us an email if you have something to share.
Patricia 541399-6650