Historic Hood River
Welcome to Hood River, 1920s
2-21-2017
Notes
The completion of the Columbia River Highway to Hood River in 1916 transformed the downtown. Before 1916 the city faced the rail depot and the steamer dock. After 1916 the city faced Oak Street. Entering the commercial district you would be welcomed by the Twin Peaks Auto Co.(built 1920) where you could fuel up and adjust the bands in the transmission on your Model T. The Rialto Theater (built 1921) proudly proclaimed its “Golden Voiced Wurlitzer” organ if you wanted to catch a matinee. Projecting signs jumped out of each building vying for the attention of the arriving motorists.
This image is taken from directly in front of the stairs to the library (built 1913). It looks like they may still be working on the roof of the Rialto.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 1920s, Columbia River Highway, garage, Oak Street, Rialto Theater, theater, Twin Peaks Auto
Tags: 1920s, Columbia River Highway, garage, Oak Street, Rialto Theater, theater, Twin Peaks Auto
Kenn
Wondering when the electric gasoline pumps came into being, although these gravity or visible pumps stayed in reserve for years in some locations in case of a power failure ~
Kenn
Wonder what the posts are on the right hand curb, and the item beyond the gas pump ~.
I have memories of pumping to fill the old gravity gas pumps at my grandfathers place ~.
Scott Cook
Awesome photo Arthur! Neat perspectives on the auto changes.
LMH
Kenn, thanks for asking the question regarding fuel dispensing systems. A quick Google search yielded a couple charming biographies on John J. Tokheim.
http://uipress.lib.uiowa.edu/bdi/DetailsPage.aspx?id=380
https://www.pcmpublishing.com/articles/27.html
According to this website the first electric fuel dispenser was marketed in 1923. The article not only discusses some of the history of fuel dispensing but also the future.
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Gasoline-Pump.html
Read and enjoy.
LMH
Kenn, I’m making a guess here. Maybe an air dispenser for filling tires. Odd location though.
Longshot
I was guessing an air and water dispenser for the item to the right of the gas pump. Both would have been needed very often back then. Early pneumatic required repair seemingly daily so having a ready source of compressed air would have been an appreciated public service and unpressurized cooling systems needed to be topped off with water frequently as well.
L.E.
Interesting about focus of traffic, with changing modes of traffic.
One website says:
Kelly Brothers Hardware……
This building was built in 1925 to house two businesses facing Oak Street. The western side housed Kelly Hardware, later called Weber Hardware and the eastern side housed a bakery.
LMH
No one said a word about the "J" walking lady and the two children.
charlott
Plus there is the dog.
I noticed the top side of the Rialto. It looks as if it isn’t finished to me…
William D. Pattison
Times have not changed. Dogs still sleep on the side walk in front of the Dog River Coffee Co.
Bill P.
Gina Baker
Do you know the name of the"Bakery?" My grandfather owned a bakery named "Home Bakery" from early 20 ‘s thru late 40’s. I believe it was in the Heights area.
Jeffrey Bryant
Hood River Glacier, 1925-10-29, page 1 – Twin Peaks Motor Co is the name of a new automobile concern.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1925-10-29/ed-1/seq-1/
Jeffrey Bryant
Hood River Glacier, 1927-03-10, page 9 – “Cascade Owners File a Protest” Signs for the Columbia River Highway had been moved from Cascade to Oak street.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1927-03-10/ed-1/seq-9/
Jeffrey Bryant
Hood River Glacier, 1927-06-30, page 3 & 4 – Automotive Service Co. at 5th and Oak Street is successor to Twin Peaks Auto Co., the headquarters of which is now located at The Dalles.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1927-06-30/ed-1/seq-4/