1916 — 100 years ago
A factory building is being erected this week adjoining the plant of the Hood River steam laundry on upper State Street. It is being erected by W.A. Schaffner and A.F. Adams for the manufacture of “apple bons,” a confection made of candied apples. The process was perfected by Randall Pratt of Wenatchee and the latter will come to Hood River to take charge of the plant. The new building, which is a frame structure, is 26 by 60 feet in size. The fruit confections will probably be made later.
1926 — 90 years ago
At the Lunch Club on Tuesday, E.O. Blanchar reported progress in the plans for the building of a modern hotel at Cloud Cap in which Blanchar and Leslie Butler, together with a large number of Portland men, are interested. He stated that the committee is proceeding with caution and will evolve plans in every way suited to the conditions and location before they will start work on the building.
One of the best arguments for a large school auditorium was the entertainment of last Friday night. The entire capacity of the present high school auditorium was crowded to the doors and hundreds of persons were turned away.
1936 — 80 years ago
An application made by the Oregon-Washington Bridge Company for permission to change certain sections of the bridge across the Columbia River has been approved by the war department. The company plans to start work soon on the project, which calls for replacement of the present wooden trestle 600 feet north of the present channel span with a steel span and concrete pier.
Members of the Hood River County Progressive Club highway committee met Saturday at the Chamber of commerce to discuss plans for the development of the river road by way of Dee to Parkdale. This road, recognized as one of the important routes to the Upper Valley, was virtually impassable this spring when the ground thawed out following the heavy winter freeze.
1946 — 70 years ago
Members of the Labor committee and growers were at Library Hall on Tuesday to discuss the problem of obtaining farm help for the current year, but no decision was forthcoming because of lack of concrete information from the state Emergency committee of the Extension Service. In the near future, the county Labor committee will decide if a labor camp is desirable and also the nature of such a camp.
1956 — 60 years ago
Business street lightning now under construction was explained by W.C. “Bill” Sunby and Hal Puddy before the Monday night meeting of the Heights Boosters. The Boosters are scheduling a series of speakers in a study of the feasibility of an improvement program for Hood River and Indian Creek areas. Post office requirements for a sub-station were also explained.
Odellites had a difficult choice Monday night in deciding where and how to spend their time, reports Walt Weber, correspondent. The choice: The chamber of commerce banquet at Wy’east, the Hood River Supply association meeting at Rockford, the Odell Cold Springs Water association meeting at Odell, Kemp IOOF lodge meeting at Odell, or the Odell grade school PTA meeting.
1966 — 50 years ago
A new tale of massive cooperation unfolded when over 650 persons joined in Hood River County’s second major disaster drill here Sunday. Sound of a siren at 1:30 p.m. brought months of planning to a climax, and crews swung into action at the Diamond Fruit Cannery. The simulated disaster was an explosion at the cannery resulting in varying degrees of injury to 150 “victims.” A hundred were in one main trouble spot, and 50 were at two other locations.
Before the drill, the Hood River Art Club had performed an important part of the program. They had applied make-up to the school children participating as victims to indicate what kinds of wounds they had suffered. Even cut arteries and open wounds were included.
1976 — 40 years ago
Toll bridge maintenance, marina park landscaping, and discussion on the Hood River airport were major areas of concern at the Hood River Port Commission meeting Monday. George Gothro, representing the Port’s engineering firm, told commissioners that a small welding contract on the south approach of the bridge had been completed. Other contracts, for painting the south end of the bridge and for mechanical and electrical inspection and repair on the lift span, will be ready for bid next month, he said.
A nine-man committee to develop a proposal for a new addressing system for the county was appointed by the County Board of Commissioners Monday. The committee consists of Hood River County Sheriff Bob Lynch; Ken Palmer of Fire Services; Ted Perry of the Public Utility District; Stan Hendrickson of the Post Office; Steve Nance of the Planning Commission; and citizens Bob Sumoge, Bill Furrow, Bob Tallman and Tony Klein.
1986 — 30 years ago
Hospital board members and county commissioners selected a five-member panel Monday as directors on the Louise Nex Down and J.R. Down, Inc., board of directors. The incorporation papers for the corporation outline that its purpose is to build and operate a retirement home in Hood River, either alone or in association with other individuals or groups in the community. It grew out of a bequest of Louise Nex Down, who willed the vast bulk of her estate to the county for establishing the retirement home.
Bids were scheduled to go out today for a new fire station on 18th between Taylor and May streets. It’s a site near the municipal swimming pool where site preparation is due for completion this week or next. City and county crews have been excavating topsoil and sand from the site, leveling it to get ready for construction.
1996 — 20 years ago
City of Cascade Locks received good news last week from the Oregon Economic Department: More than $13 million in Oregon Bank Revenue Bonds were sold on March 6, to a syndicate headed by Smith Barney of Seattle. Cascade Locks will receive bond proceeds along with grants and loans from Oregon lottery receipts to help finance the new wastewater treatment plant to be built next to Cascade Wood Components.
The St. Urho’s Day parade will make its 15th trek through Hood River Saturday. The noon parade begins at Northwest Auto Parts on the Heights and follows 12th Street to May, 13th to Oak, and then Oak to Third, where the Knights of St. Urho and the Iron Maidens will perform the changing of the guard. Hood River Middle School’s St. Urho’s Unmarching Band, the Finnish Women’s Drill Team and the Finnabago all return for the parade. A Toast to the Queen and Finnish potluck and party will be held at the Crag Rat Hut above Pine Grove afterwards.
2006 — 10 years ago
Blending recreational uses into a naturalized setting was the challenge faced by designers of a “world-class” waterfront park. “The final imagery is intended to be cascading in nature,” explained architect Frank Rudloff when the plan was publically revealed Thursday. Christine Knowles, co-chair of the Park Development Committee, believes the GreenWorks, Inc., team has more than succeeded at that task. “I’m really excited that GreenWorks has done such a good job of listening to the people,” she said.
The Lions Follies 2006 show — “The Big Show,” in celebration of its 30th year — is scheduled to begin March 18 at the Hood River Middle School Auditorium, and is a nod to the long-running Ed Sullivan show of yesteryear.
— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer
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