Historic Hood River
W. F. Laraway’s Depthing Tool
11-10-2016
Notes
There are more than just photographs at our history museum. I thought I’d mix it up a bit with occasional photos of objects. This is a good one because the object is interesting and it let’s us talk about a member of the community.
William Fouts Laraway opened a jewelry store in Glenwood, Iowa in 1866. He moved to Hood River about 1902, where he lived until his death in 1928. His shop was on Oak Street between 2nd and 3rd.
A depthing tool is a specialized instrument used for watch or clock repair. Here’s a good explanation of how Mr. Laraway would have used this tool.
L.E.
I was reading W.F. Laraway’s death notice in the HR Glacier. He was a Mason, and the notice asked all Mason to meet at Tieman Hall for the ceremony.
I don’t think I have heard that name used here so looked it up. Tieman Hall is the Masonic Hall featured in HHR photos #1121 and 1093.
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?x=browse&tag=Masonic_Hall&pagenum=1
Lynn Orr
We are so pleased to have been given this object. In addition to its history, its tie to a local resident, and its functional purpose, this is a beautiful object. Even though it is small, it has a satisfying monumentality. It’s industrial forms, repeating geometric shapes, and sleek shiny surfaces appeal to our modern sensibility. And it comes in its original box! This handsome instrument will soon be on display at the museum as we celebrate recent gifts to the museum’s collection.
Arthur
Yes, LE, if you look up at the cornice on that building it says "Tieman Hall"
Dean Fletcher
The WF Laraway name is fairly well known to collectors today and they fetch good money on Ebay when they show up; which happens on a regular basis. WF made watches first in Glenwood, where he developed the "Glenwood Chronograph" of which the only thing known is the name, unfortunately. Here’s a glass lantern slide advertising WF Laraway and watches; this would have been in Hood River. I have an entire series of these that are in the same group of photos on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=110672755663613&set=a.110671445663744.13626.100001626679958&type=3&theater
L.E.
Thanks Dean Fletcher. I am enjoying looking through all of your photos.
L.E.
In the March 28, 1907 page 7 HR Glacier:
W.F. Laraway has placed a clock in front of his store that gives the time of both day and night to the passerby. It is mounted on an iron post and can be seen for a long distance either up or down the street. At night it is lighted up by flashes from an electric light through its glass dials, and besides being a great convenience is an attractive ad.
Jeffrey W Bryant
The Hood River Glacier, January 18, 1923, page 7
W. F. Laraway, after 60 years in the business, is again in charge of the watch repair bench at his jewelry store. Mr. Laraway is personally in charge of the work, ranging from the most intricate Swiss watch down.
L.E.
Came across this in the October 18, 1906 HR Glacier p.2
A Wonderful Clock: During the fair Laraway & Son had on exhibition a clock that was the wonder of all who saw it. It consisted of a frame and glass with a standard and pair of hands so adjusted that they could be given a whirl and would re-adjust themselves to whatever time of day it happened to be when they were manipulated and go on keeping time. this ingenious device was made by W.F.Laraway in 1874 and is a most complicated piece of mechanism such as only an expert mechanic could make. The secret of its mechanism Mr. Laraway refuses to divulge.