Historic Hood River
Woven Where the Wool Is Grown
6-10-2016
Notes
We saw a nice series of glass lantern slides from the Rialto theater a few years back. Here’s one I missed.
I wonder how many sheep there are in Oregon City today?
The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
L.E.
Definitely an industry of the past. Oregon City Woolen Mills!!
I raised sheep as a kid, but more as a hobby than a business.
A huge industry during WWI. Instead of hauling oil, railroad cars hauled sheep.
Now, people turn their nose up at the idea of wearing wool or eating lamb and sheep are considered damaging to the environment.
I consider them a very versatile animal. Meat, clothing and milk.
But not very bright!
Kathie Alley
My Great Grandfather, Joseph Brunner was the head dyer at the Woolen Mills in Oregon City.
L.E.
My first sheep was an old ewe that my dad brought home from the Portland Stock Yards. She was a pet and called a Judas Sheep.
When train loads of sheep would come in, she would lead them down the ramp to the pens.
Buzz
Still miss the feeling of wool on skin. My favorite were Pendelton wool shirts. But gave them up when I left home and didn’t have mom to take care of my clothes anymore.
Charlott
My husband HAD to have his Pendleton shirts. Always got a new one for Christmas and his birthday. He had one that got so old and bad, my Mom had to take it, put leather patches on the sleeves and turn the collar. Just wouldn’t give up that old blue Pendleton shirt….
Jill Stanford
Lots of guys love their Pendleton shirts nearly to death. Mother told me once that going to Paris Fair was a highlight for new school clothes and watching her mother and Grandmother shop for the "Latest".
L.E.
Reading the history of both the Pendleton Company and Oregon City Company is interesting.
It sounds like you could tell the difference between their blankets as far as color and design.
Judy
A lot of wool was brought in and weighed at Pendleton. The shirts aren’t that hard to care for. Yes, you can tell the two companies by their design on the blanket. Check out the underground next time you are in Pendleton. Sorry to see Paris Fair go. It was a nice store. Times change.
Dean Fletcher
Here’s one of a set of 20 WF Laraway lantern slides that were also probably shown at the Rialto. The entire set can be seen in the same fb album. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=110672588996963&set=a.110671445663744.13626.100001626679958&type=3&theater