Historic Hood River
Threshing Time?
5-20-2016
Notes
I suspect this was taken further east in wheat country, but it’s still a great image. That looks to be a steam powered thresher or combine serving as a platform for the entire crew to pose.
The History Museum of Hood River County
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Charlott
I have a feeling that this is along the Columbia somewhere, as the hills across appear to go up from like a river. Look at the man at the far right……Way out there appears something. What is it? It looks like to me some sort of train tressel. I am wondering if they might not be transporting hay down from up in Sherman County.
Too bad there isn’t some old records of brands in the area, as that horse .displays a good one.
I notice one of the "crew" appears to be an Indian, with the striped overalls and plaid shirt. I also see one man, who I might have connection with, but can’t be certain. Would have a better idea if I had a date frame on this….
Marilyn
Wonder if this could have been around Dufur?
Kenn
I wonder why the men are gathered for this posed picture, if this is the start of the work day the tractor should have been fired up early, if the end of the day the tractor would have been too hot to be climbing on and the kids not present.
I would guess the location to be anywhere east of the Deschuttes with the Washington hills in the distance.
Kenn
Judging by the tank on the steam tractor I believe it is a "Rumley Oil Pull".
If the tractor was fired up and the pop off valve let go this saddle horse would be long gone.
Longshot
Making some assumptions here, but the sun it high and pretty much directly behind the camera, so I would assume this picture was taken around noon. These guys may have been gathered for their lunch break on a day that the tractor/thresher must not have been in use.
Charlott
I have come back numerous time to look at this and each time I am in awe. I can’t say 100% where this photo is taken, but there are three people in this photo who look so much like some family members. I am saying possibly Biggs. The man at the far left certainly looks like my Grandfather. The front little girl
lon the horse sure looks like my Aunt Gladys and the man with his hand on the horse sure looks like my Uncle Fred Mack. The family cast is in the right location at what I think might very well be the right time.
Jill Stanford
The little girls are "aside" as they are wearing dressed.
L.E.
Why oh why would you have a great photo like this, with no names?
My grandmother came from the wheat field country of eastern Washington, and often talked about the fear of starting a fire with the threshing machine.
Can you imagine the dry straw and sparks from the smoke stack?
L.E.
Maybe the crew and machine have just arrived at a farm. They look to be in a good mood, not tired, dirty, hot nor sweaty.
Kenn
A steam engine would have to be there overnight to be cool enough to climb on. Come down to the "Great Oregon Steam Up" at Brooks OR to see at least fifty of them, big and small, in action. This happens the last weekend in July and the first weekend of August each year, 12 different power museums on one site.
Arlen Sheldrake
Good point Kenn. Antique Powerland Musuems is absolutely amazing especially during the two steam-up weekends. Equipment comes from far and away to fire up for the public’s enjoyment…..including a railroad steam crane!
One never knows where one of these jewels might appear….one is parked in the yard of a very rundown property very near Bridlemile School in SW Portland.