Todd Weller, Mary Batty, Lucile Stephens, Russ Brown, Gary Conley, Mike Kilkenny, Richard Havig and Terray Harmon contributed to this report.
Last week’s History Mystery, above, was scanned from a 4- by 5-inch black and white negative from the archives of The Dalles Chronicle. Information on the envelope reads, “1958 Seufert Motel.”
Richard Havig wrote, “The picture shows bridge constructed by Wasco County for access to the toll bridge over the Columbia River also constructed by Wasco County. Construction was about 1954-56. The picture also shows U.P. Railroad tracks, US 30 and US 197 and the back side of the screen of the Starlight Drive in Theater. Also shows the overhead telephone lines and poles then owned by Bell Telephone, and part of the east side of The Dalles. The bridge is now owned and maintained by Oregon Department of Transportation. This bridge and the bridge over the Columbia connected US 197 between Oregon and Washington. It replaced the ferry crossing at the bottom of Union Street.”
A number of callers noted the road in the foreground was the ramp leading up to Eddies Motel, now the Celilo Hotel. The hotel was built by Eddie Seufert, said Terray Harmon.
The building on the right was a warehouse for a hardware store, said Russ Brown.
20 years ago – 1998
Opposing camps have formed in the issue of whether the Columbia Basin Nursing Home should pay property taxes. Dave Huntington, president of the board overseeing the nursing home, which was privatized over a year ago, said a state supreme court ruling backs up the board’s stance that the facility should stay tax-exempt.
Sweltering college classrooms prompted a letter from the teacher’s union, asking that something be done about it. In response, Columbia Gorge Community College has lined up some heat-testing equipment and is now awaiting the next hot day to do some analysis.
WAMIC — The first Wild West Festival — featuring cowboy, recording artist and movie actor Don Edwards — is set for Friday, Aug. 28.
A street dance and dinner will be held in the Elks Lodge No. 303 parking lot on Sept. 12. The dinner is a “pig on a spit” and is from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Dalles School District employees kicked off the 1998-99 school year with a district-wide picnic and barbecue at Sorosis Park’s picnic shelter on Tuesday night.
ALOHA (AP)— Peter Jacobsen has a suggestion for Tiger Woods: Lighten up a little, smile more and play some charity golf tournaments.
40 years ago – 1978
The Wasco County Fair at the fairgrounds in Tygh Valley continues into its third day today.
Verne Duncan, Oregon’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Friday called on the voters to take a look at what Measure 6 will do in their districts before deciding how to vote on the controversial tax limitation issue.
If you’re planning to can tomatoes this year (assuming they ripen), then do it right to avoid spoilage later, advises Carolyn Raab, Oregon State University Extension foods and nutrition specialist.
VATICAN CITY (UPI) — One hundred and eleven cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church prayed to Go for divine inspiration Friday then locked themselves in the Sistine Chapel. One of them will walk out Pope.
GENEVA, Switzerland (UP) — A mystery man in a false beard and wig kept an American airliner and 89 passengers and crew on the ground for nearly eight hours with a bizarre hijack scare Friday — then disappeared without trace. “It was the work of a madman,” said Stewart Long, vice president of TWA’s international division.
In regards to a previous History Mystery, above, Gary Conley said the owner of Heimrick box factory owned a railroad to Friend, probably to freight lumber to The Dalles factory. He added that the photograph “was not taken in 1958, or nothing like that. You can see the Madden feed lot in the background. I think that disappeared when the tie plant came in, around 1926. You can see the railroad round house and maybe the coal chute there in the background.”
Jake Grossmiller wrote that his father owned the service station, above, a previous History Mystery.
“He brought the first automatic car washer to The Dalles,” he said. Well, semi-automatic. The machine had a hoop and a timer. When activated, it crossed over the car, first with soap and water, Grossmiller explained. “The guys would mit the car down, then the timer would keep going and move the hoop back and forth to rinse the car down.
“He was always trying to increase business, he would see people at the store, ask if they need their car oiled and lubed. He’d take the car while they shopped, lube and oil it, and bring it back to the store.” With a free car wash thrown in for good measure, he added.
It was all part of the “Minute Man Service” at the gas station.
60 years ago – 1958
An electrical storm swept through eastern Oregon Monday night touching off a new series of forest fires as fire danger remained critical in the state despite cooler temperatures. The weather bureau said no rain, except for some thunder-showers, was in sight.
Although the building has not yet been formally “accepted” from the contractor, the new county office annex, formerly the nurses’ quarters at The Dalles General hospital, is about ready for occupancy.
Wasco county has been assigned 300 square feet of booth and display space in Wilcox Hall, Portland, for the Oregon Centennial next year, Alf Wernmark, county Centennial chairman, said today.
Wanting to put meat in your freezer or locker? Good Grade Lamb is a smart buy right now. You may find especially attractive prices on Beef Chuck this weekend too; use these cuts fresh or buy several for the freezer, if the price looks good enough.
Teacher staff for District 12 grade schools was reported complete yesterday as pupils began going back to school — for registration only, at this time.
The lives of an elderly San Clemente, Calif., couple were claimed today about 8 a.m. when their car failed to negotiate a curve two miles south of Shaniko on Highway 97. Police said the couple apparently died almost instantly.
LONDON (UPI) — Ralph Vaughn Williams, dean of British composers and often ranked as the greatest English composer of the times, died today at the age of 85.
80 years ago – 1938
A federal court test appears in the offing on the validity of Washington and Oregon fishing laws which require Indians fishing on their ancient and accustomed grounds to pay licenses, if information received by John Whiz from Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Herrick materializes.
As zero hour for the big natatorium booster parade approached, Dalles youngsters climbed in great numbers upon the bandwagon in an effort to stimulate interest in the city election Monday. Fifty boys and girls today were registered at the city hall pledging their participation in the parade that will start tomorrow at 4 p. m. from The Dalles Soda Works.
Henry G. Meredith, 66, for 14 years justice of the peace in The Dalles district, died at a local hospital last night following a heart attack several days ago.
ENGLAND PLANS WARNING TO GERMANY OVER MINORITY CRISIS — Next few days most critical in many years — World War Certain If Hitler Acts, View Of Diplomats — (By Joe Alex Morris, United Press Staff Correspondent) Great Britain plans this weekend a firm new attempt to break the Czech minority crisis deadlock and turn Europe definitely toward peace—before it slides precipitately toward war.
Dramatic situations interspersed with hilarious comedy moments march grandly across the screen of Universal’s John M. Stahl production, “A Letter of Introduction,” which opens Sunday at the Granada theater.
100 years ago – 1918
Fifty-one registered men of Wasco county will report for military service tomorrow. The majority of them will leave The Dalles at 1:10 p.m. for Camp Lewis. Some of the selectives will take their place in the quota at Portland, and others will report at the camp.
WANTED—Prune pickers. Will pay 10 cents per basket. Four miles from The Dalles on Mill Creek. Amelio Re.
LOST—Hub cap for Apperson car west of city. Return to Chronicle office.
CORVALLIS, Ore., Aug. 24.—A practical one year course in horticulture and allied subjects will be offered at the Oregon Agricultural college, which is expected to be popular because of war conditions.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26.—Three men are missing as a result of a collision of two United States seaplanes in a fog Saturday night 12 miles off Fire Island, the navy department announced today.
LONDON, Aug. 26.—The total casualties of the British third and fourth armies from Wednesday to Sunday is estimated at about 23,502, it was learned today. In the same period, about 20,000 prisoners have been taken.
PARIS, Aug. 26.—The battle was resumed on a large scale between the Oise and the Aisne rivers today. The French were pressing northward and eastward in the Ailette salient to force the defenses east of Noyon and west of Coucy, preparatory to opening a way for a decisive drive towards the Somme in the Ham St. Simon region.
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