Historic Hood River
Welcome to the Columbia Gorge Hotel
8-1-2019
Notes
I always enjoy Cross and Dimmitt postcards. We’ve seen many views of the Columbia Gorge Hotel, but this one shows what it looked like to a driver entering (or leaving) Hood River on the Columbia_River Highway. I don’t think today’s view is quite so inviting.
L. E.
I am surprised at the amount of cleared ground on Underwood Mtn.
nels
Love that stone work. Too bad they removed it, but probably had to make way for larger service trucks. Building a rock wall is truly an art.
Fire escapes removed from the front and a roofed entry way now adorns the front.
ArthurB
The "porte cochere" (entranceway) is to the left, out of view. I don’t believe it has changed since the original Benson Hotel design. It’s in the blueprints we have at the museum.
The big difference I see is that fake wall with large gates blocking off service bays to the right side of this view.
Gladys
The main change I see, other than the rock walls is the fact that the area to the left and right have been landscaped which does give it a nicer appearance.
Have spent much time there as once a very dear friend of mine owned and operated this and know all about Oscar and the other haunting things that occur here…
Bill Seaton
About 1947, I got to spend an evening in this hotel. Hood River Civic Theater put on a play in their ballroom. They did it in theater-in-the-round style. My Mom was in the play and I was very excited to get to be there to see it. At the time, the Columbia Gorge Hotel was regarded as a very high class place and I was thrilled to see it.
Patti
At one point in time the Columbia Gorge Hotel was a "Care" facility. One of my ancestors was a resident there when he passed…
MS
Arthur, I have some historic pics of the hotel and Gorge my grandparents took in the 1920’s. How do I get them to you?
ArthurB
MS, you can get material to me through the museum. You can drop it at the desk with my name on it, or mail it to 300 E Port Marina Dr, Hood River, OR 97031. Thanks!