Historic Hood River
White Salmon Bluff
12-14-2021
Notes
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the views from the White Salmon bluff were prized back when Ella May Davidson and friends visited, circa 1918. While there are many more houses hugging the edge of the cliff today, they all go through the same efforts to create a flat spot as close to the edge as possible to take in the view– as long as it’s not windy.
If you look carefully you can see bits of Hood River and the Hood River delta in the background.
L.E.
This would be from Underwood?
ArthurB
I think this from the bluff roughly above the current bridge. I think that is the Hood River entering the Columbia just to the left of that pole/dead tree.
L.E.
Oh…OK. I've got my directions straight now. I wonder if this has any connections to stairway up the bluff.
Basaltgrouse
After a close look, I think it is the top of the stairs that came up the hill about where Bridgemart is.
nels
Is there anything left of the stairs that you speak of?
Stever
Here’s a link to more info on the bluff stairs in WS town. Look closely at the pictures linked- perhaps this photo is of the top off the steps given the visible horizontal wooden members visible below those in this picture. Perhaps they are resting after the long walk up the steps. It seems many have suit cases perhaps ….
http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/bingen_white_salmon_stairway.html
ArthurB
Yes, I think this could very well be the top of the White Salmon stairs. There is definitely a suitcase or two and at least a couple of stairs descending from this landing.
We know these women made a couple of expeditions to White Salmon– one to view the 1918 solar eclipse, and another to view the construction of the Condit Dam in 1912-13. If someone wants to try to compare the clothing mayeb we can figure out if this is one of those two trips.
L.E.
I already went through the Davidson photos looking for the striped dress. Didn't find it.
I think they look pretty cheerful, so I am going to guess they are getting ready to descend the stairs and catch the ferry to HR. I'm not sure they would be so smiley if they had just climbed the stairs.