Historic Hood River
Sam Hill, At Your Service
12-13-2017
Notes
On May 5, 1912 a group of Hood River business and community leaders traveled to Maryhill to meet with Sam Hill and learn about his proposal to construct a paved highway through the Gorge. Here’s their host mugging for the camera.
Don’t forget, tonight Scott Cook and I will be presenting a “Sense of Place” lecture at the Columbia Center for the Arts. This is an unscripted, “anything can happen” event. Don’t miss it!
Charlott
He did a lot of good, where roads were concerned, but had his "dark side" that is for certain, that most people are unaware of. He had a lot of visions of grandeur, which became known as "Hill’s Folly." He went up to Columbus and fully intended to run the people who had resided there since its founding out, but their pioneer spirit was greater than his father-in-laws money and he failed. They never were impressed by him. Horrible husband and parent to say the least and all his illigitimate children running all over the place.
He never lived at Maryhill, only Clara and Lucy ever resided there and I knew them when I was a little girl…..
Charlott
I can tell you where this photo was taken. On the little front porch of the Maryhill Land Company Office. Have walked on that porch and went through that door many, many times….
L.E.
Seems like a lot of "good deeds men" in world history, also had a dark side.
Also seems like a lot of newcomers with grandiose ideas, don’t mind moving in and telling the "locals" how they should live.
Hill like so many ambitious business men, had abundant energy. Some of that energy and money provided a way for farmers on the east side of the state to ship their product.
"…..They formed the Washington State Good Roads Association and they chose Hill as president. Hill declared, "Good roads are more than my hobby; they are my religion."……
http://www.historylink.org/File/5072
L.E.
Buzz….you are probably already on the road, headed for Charburger. I don’t think I will make it in time to buy your dinner.
So sorry to miss meeting you.
nels
Charlott when you speak of Columbus are you talking of the area where he built at Maryhill?
Charlott
Columbus or Columbus Landing, as it was known by both names was the town on the flat land where all the peach orchards are now. Sam Hill built his Maryhill up above by the Stonehenge.
Kenn
Charlott’s memory, recall and knowledge are amazing, I learn so much from the great minds, knowledge and willingness to share on this site ~
L.E.
Just think, we could have had Maryhill right here on the White Salmon bluff. Remember the story of Sam Hill ready to make the purchase of the Jewett Farm, but when he proposed an alcoholic toast, Mrs. Jewett nixed the sale.
The decision to make Bingen the Railroad Depot for the North Bank RR rather than White Salmon.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~westklic/rrstobab.html
Judy
In this day & age he would be "shaking" in his boots. Unfortunately there were a lot of men in power that probably were just like him. He still did s lot of improvements to this Gorge. RIP Sam