Looking Back on Dec. 14-15, from the archives of The Dalles Chronicle.
Terray Harmon, Alene Thille and Michael Houser contributed to this report.
Last week’s History Mystery, above, was scanned from a glossy print from the archives of The Dalles Reminder. It was published in the Dec. 2, 1982 issue of The Dalles Weekly Reminder.
The caption reads, “Burgerville USA, one of the mini-parade sponsors, gave youngsters a ride in the restaurant train. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, plus children dressed as clows, were also part of Friday’s Christmas parade.” Also setting the Christmas tone in 1982 was an ariel drop of over 12,000 pieces of candy and a sky-diving Santa at Kramer Field, both sponsored by Cascade Square.
Harmon noted the photograph of the Christmas parade was taken on Second Street, looking east from just west of the Post Office, with the Oregon Motor Motel to the right.
Michael Houser of The Dalles recognized the Burgerville Engine and Payless Drug Store’s “Frosty The Snowman.” “I was one of the not-so-enthusiastic ones chosen to wear that Frosty costume in the late 1970’s,” Houser said.
In regards to a previous History Mystery showing construction of The Dalles Post Office, Alene Thille noted that the Hotel Dalles, seen in the background, was torn down and rebuilt as the Tillicum Inn, now the Best Western. In addition to rooms, the Hotel Dalles also had a coffee shop and a hair salon.
Dale Roberts, Terray Harmon and Bill Johnson contributed to this report.
Last week’s History Mystery, above, was taken by Elite Studio on Jan. 8, 1936, and shows the Port of The Dalles dock construction. Today, Union Street is located to the left of the area in the photograph; the foreground now encompasses Interstate 84 and Lewis and Clark Memorial Park. The dock was constructed in anticipation of the completion of Bonneville Locks and Dam in 1937, and served as a deep water port.
In a May History Mystery of the dock, Terray Harmon said that in 1938 a large merchant vessel, the USS Wheeler, arrived in The Dalles after the Bonneville Dam and Locks were finished and ships could access the upper river. Also in May, Bill Johnson said the Port of The Dalles docks were finished at about the same time as the Bonneville dam opened, and large freight vessels would frequently dock at The Dalles.
Regarding a previous History Mystery, showing the Maupin Post Office, Maupin resident Dale Roberts said the post office was built in 1955 by Maupin resident Al Troutman, and opened in 1956.
Below are two additional views of the docks, also taken by Elite Studio, showing construction progress and the completed docks.
Port of The Dalles dock construction, July 16, 1936, by Elite Studio.
Port of The Dalles dock construction, April 28, 1936, by Elite Studio.
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