Historic Hood River
The Guides on Parade
2-25-2014
Notes
Meet Hood River’s newest marching band (circa 1925): “The Guides.” According to the notes from the Hood River News editor, they were garbed as Swiss Guides and they were preparing for an appearance in Portland’s Rose Festival. The man leading the parade on his motorcycle was George Morrison. A later note indicates he was known as “Shorty” and was a motorcycle cop.
The location is State Street, just east of First Street. Here’s a more modern view.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 1920s, 1st Street, automobile, Morrison, motorcycle, parade, State Street
Tags: 1920s, 1st Street, automobile, Morrison, motorcycle, parade, State Street
charlott
George Morrison came via Portland to Hood River from Idaho. I know he was very short, thus the name "Shorty." His wife’s name was Vera.
Wonder if this band was backed by the newspaper, beings it was called "The Guide." However, don’t know if that newspaper was still in existance.
Again note, where ever there is something going on there is a boy, or two in this case,one on each side of the street.
I see a gas pump over there in front of the building.
l.e.
Boy….this is an interesting photo.
All of the men have the same build. Any idea what their service was? They seem to be dressed in similar attire and walking in straight backed formation, but that’s all we know?
Some of my husband’s family lived in Pine Grove about this time and they were Swiss.
The little second story arched window without much adornment, is still a second story arched window without much adornment.
Arlen Sheldrake
I see lots of drums…wonder what the guys in the back of the "band" are playing? Where is the dog….. Love the car running board packed with stuff and two spare tires.
Jill
Charlott, I love your observations about boy or two always being in the picture when something is going on. All that is missing is a scruffy dog as Arlen has pointed out.
This is a sharp looking band and Shorty is terrific!
Charlott
That group in the rear, could have been some sort of drill team, you know performing moves to the music.
Certainly doesn’t have any connection to the GAR, as these guys are too young for that. Sure wish we could find out exactly what they represented.
l.e.
Here is one possibility:
Swiss Guides was/is the scouting organization of Switzerland. It was formed in 1912 and the World Organization was formed in 1922. The world headquarters is still located in Geneva Switzerland.
And remember the boy scout has his Swiss army knife.
Maybe this is Hood River’s first Boy Scout Group.
l.e.
From H R County Historic Properties:
ADDRESS: NE corner First and State Streets…
The building was constructed by contractor Louis C. Boyd ca. 1915 from bricks from the Hood river Brick yard…..
From the 1900 "The Clay Worker" T.A. Randall & Company
"L. D. Boyd will start his brickyard at Hood River, Ore., In the spring just as soon as the weather will permit. He has purchased the brickmaking machinery of Robert Rand and has leased ground three-quarters of a mile east of Hood River. He will burn a kiln of 400,000 bricks.