Historic Hood River
Stage Depot
Notes
We can date this great view of the Columbia Gorge Motor Coach depot pretty precisely because of the Rialto Theater advertising in the window. The film “Knockout Reilly” is featured, which was a silent film released in April 1927. I hope you can see some of the wonderful details, such as the people sitting waiting for their bus. There is also great postcard rack full of Columbia Gorge Highway views, and a pair of large steel milk jugs which I am guessing were providing drinking water. There is also an advertisement for the bus line which contains a bus image which looks just like this one.
This building is now home to the Skylight Theater.
An interesting side note on the film Knockout Reilly: it is one of many “lost films” of the silent film era, of which there are no known prints. Every once in a while someone finds a cache of old film reels in a basement or attic in some corner of the world and a film is rediscovered, but I wouldn’t hold out much hope for seeing Knockout Reilly. But is does have a wonderful poster.
Jeff Bryant
I’m surprised you can’t read what appears to be a calendar through the open door!
ArthurB
Jeff Bryant the calendar is almost legible, but not quite. I think it is open to July 1927, but wouldn't swear to it.
Arlen Sheldrake
where did this GREAT photo come from? yes, love the detail. I find it very interesting that our evolution of bus travel now has the bus "stations" in Seattle and Portland at least being a street curb.
Sad that some of these early movies have been lost.
L.E.
I like the clock.
What was this building before it was the Stage Depot?
Another view of a Columbia Gorge Motor Coach. https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/columbia-river-highway/Pages/history-tourism.aspx
Jeff Bryant
I think the bus depot in Hood River used to be where Bette’s is when I was living there.
Arlen Sheldrake
right on Jeff….also a bowling alley…."bad" place per my grandmother Della Sheirbon. our HRHS '59 class reunion this past september had brunch at Bette's…very popular for a good reason.
Will
Are there any pictures of the (possibly neon) sign jutting out from the building in the middle of the frame?
JEC
A ride to San Francisco or Los Angeles in the bus in #1033 would have been quite an…uh..adventure?
Arlen Sheldrake
JEC…..I did a Dallas Texas to HR bus trip back in the early 1960s….some 10 drivers, some who could and some who couldn't shift well; saw some of the "finer" sections of cities…..I agree a trip to SF that early would have been a real adventure….much more than mine. good old days = NOT