Historic Hood River
Transition
12-23-2019
Notes
Here’s another fine interior view of the Fashion Stable on Front Street– with some added surprises. There are a bunch of nice carriages in the shadows to the right, and if you look carefully there are at least two automobiles in the very back of the stables. Right in the center, there is a man on his knees servicing an automobile (see detail below). We know the Fashion Livery also served as a garage from about 1907 when the first auto arrived in Hood River until it burned in 1929.
I’d also like to share an update with you. An HHR reader forwarded the “1520 Wasco Avenue” post to a former owner of the building, who suggested a very surprising history. I was able to confirm her story, so check out the updated notes on that photo.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 1900s, automobile, carriage, Fashion Livery, Front Street, garage, horse, livery, stable, wagon
Tags: 1900s, automobile, carriage, Fashion Livery, Front Street, garage, horse, livery, stable, wagon
Charlott
Stands to reason that buggies, wagons, etc. be housed where the horses were. I would venture a guess that hooking up and unhooking horses would be included in the monthly fee to house your horse(s) there. I can just visualize a doctor racing down Oak Street to have his buggy and horse hitched to race off to an accident or emergency.
We basically know that this day and age cars are a dime a dozen, but in that era to have the financial means to own a car was really something, so naturally they were more inclined to take care of their vehicle. There may have been those that owned both. I know my great-grandfather did. He and even my grandfather for many years used their teams in their orchards before the real advent of the tractor. Their horses were VERY well taken care of, as it was a necessity to life.
Kyle
Excellent image.
ArthurB
When Hood River acquired its "chemical engine" fire apparatus in 1905, the ringing of the fire bell at 4th and State would let the folks at the Fashion Livery know to rush a team to the station to drag the apparatus to the fire.