Yesteryears: Columbia Sightseer to start tours in Cascade Locks in 1976

A handsome premium, amounting to $1400, was received by School District No. 3 last week when the $45,000 bond issue for new school buildings was awarded to the Butler Banking Company of this city. The local bank secured the bond issue in competition with seven large bond companies. From the standpoint of the district, the bids received on the bonds were extremely pleasing and attests to the excellent financial standing of the district.

That the coming months are to provide plenty of work for the city fathers was evidenced at the council meeting on Monday evening when, in addition to discussion on the proposed paving of State, Oak and Columbia streets, the question of improving street, lighting and sewer facilities in the neighborhood of the site of the new high school was introduced by Dr. C.H. Jenkins, of the school board of district No. 3 and Supt. A.M. Cannon.

Dr. Jenkins pointed out that today these facilities are lacking at the west end of town and inasmuch as the new high school, for which bonds were recently voted, would be built this year, he suggested that the council consider plans for these improvements.

Mr. Cannon suggested that the council complete plans for widening May Street, from 40 to 60 feet, and he stated that the school board is willing to vacate a 10 foot strip of its property for the purpose. He stated that it is proposed to start work this summer, so as to have a roof over the new building before the rains set in. If the grading of the street is completed, this will facilitate the selling of the material before the coming spring.

It was pointed out that it will not be practical to connect up the new high school with the existing sewage mains, and the probability is that a new sewer district will have to be created, with a new sewage outfall for the west end of town.

It was announced that no decision will be made concerning the paving of Oak, State and Columbia until the next regular meeting of the council in June.

— Hood River News, May 21, 1926

1926 — 90 years ago

Four local men and women, Kent Shoemaker, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Anderson and Paul Hoerlein, left Hood River last Saturday evening for Cloud Cap Inn. After reaching the snow drifts near Ghost Ridge they left their cars and packed in food and blankets and opened up the Inn for the first time since it was closed las fall. Anderson was the chief cook and the other three found plenty of work to keep themselves warm and to prepare supper for a Portland party which were to spend the night at the Inn and Sunday on the glacier. Just before the splendid supper was ready, someone discovered there were no knives, forks or spoons at the Inn and it was at this stage that Shoemaker showed his skill in whittling by making sufficient wooden spoons to go around.

1936 — 80 years ago

Observance of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Asbury M.E. church will commence on May 17, when Dr. W.B. Young, of Everett, Wash., will be the morning speaker. Dr. Bruce Baxter, of Willamette University, will speak in the evening. At the anniversary banquet, the Rev. Mr. Spaulding, first pastor of the M.E. church, will relate its history.

Today is primary election day and many predict that voting will be heavier than usual in the primaries in the 14 precincts of Hood River County. The reason for this, say political dopesters, is that members of Townsend clubs throughout the county are cooperating to vote for their own candidates. But this as it may, there is also evidence that, with many active candidates in the field, a large proportion of voters may be expected to go to the pools and keep their pre-election promises. At least, that is the way candidates have it.

1946 — 70 years ago

The Civilian Production Administration, under date May 13, denied the application of Hood River City for permission to build a swimming pool. It stated that, if CPA has been willing to grant the application, there was an excellent prospect that the pool could be built at a cost fairly closely to the amount estimated when city voters indorsed a bond issue for his purpose. Now, however, the pool must wait until building restrictions are relaxed by CPA.

In conformance with the generally held opinion that the number of votes cast in Hood River County today will be very light, County Clerk W.L. Vannet early this week notified chairman and members of counting boards that their services would not be required until 1 p.m. In Hood River County, no contests are seen in this primary election, and there will be few contests even in the November election, unless more independent candidates than contemplated decide to enter the picture.

1956 — 60 years ago

Operations and offices of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce and Port Commission will be combined after July 1 following approval by both groups during a Monday night meeting. Terms of the agreement were announced yesterday by Port Chairman Howard Gretchell and Chamber President W.C. “Bill” Sunday. The agreement makes possible savings through better utilization of personnel and services and through elimination of duplication in these areas, both groups reported.

Editorial: We should not permit the issue of fluoridation to divide our community and to set neighbor against neighbor. Rather, we should respect the decision of every individual as a privilege of being an American and dispense with all irate talk and animosity. We should vote tomorrow and be thankful we enjoy the privilege. We also urge everyone to follow the suggestion of Rev. Robert Hutchinson that “we never lose our sense of humor.”

1966 — 50 years ago

Prospects for a District Attorney candidate in the primary election were back to zero this week after Robert C. Robertson said he has withdrawn plans for a write-in campaign here. Robertson, a senior law student at Willamette University in Salem, had earlier announced he would seek the office. When the deadline for filing passed and there were no candidates for the DA job, the 26-year-old Robertson stepped in. He has since learned he’s been accepted as an associate in Medford.

Students at both Wy’east and Hood River high schools cast solid votes of support for the school building bond issue to be voted on in the May 24 primary election. Wy’east junior and senior students were nearly 2-1 in favor of the school building plan which would construct a new three-year high school and convert both present high schools into junior highs. At Hood River High, the vote was 273 yes, 44 no, and 16 undecided.

1976 — 40 years ago

The battle to reduce Hood River County’s once-defeated school budget to a level acceptable to voters got help from two directions at last week’s school board meeting: A settlement with classified personnel will cost less than the amount tentatively provided in the budget, and the U.S. Forest Service said it is changing its accounting procedures and fiscal year in such a way that the district will receive an additional $112,000 for the next budget. Superintendent Frank Lariza said therefore the total tax levy request will be $300,000 less than the one voted on April 20.

A tour boat will go into operation on Saturday to provide daily cruises from Cascade Locks and Stevenson, according to Harry Cramblett, president of the Port of Cascade Locks. The tour boat Columbia Sightseer was purchased by the Ports of Cascade Locks and Stevenson from Gray Lines. Tours on the 100 passenger boat are scheduled to start May 22.

1986 — 30 years ago

Tragedy struck on Mount Hood last week, sending out an alarm that brought mountain rescuers from all directions — including Hood River. Before the ordeal was over, the disaster had taken the lives of nine students and faculty members of Oregon Episcopal School, and sent two survivors to Portland hospitals. Crag Rats and Alpinees searched the 8,500 and 9,000-foot levels.

A dramatic change is in store for Hood River Memorial Hospital facilities starting this summer, Larry Bowe, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors, has announced. A three-phase plan will not only improve the accommodations, but will change basic access to the building when the third phase is complete.

1996 — 20 years ago

Two hotel/conference center proposals will be considered by the Port of Hood River Commission in executive session at its next meeting, May 21. If one of the developers is chosen, the company will be responsible for the construction and operation of a 150 room hotel/conference center/exposition site that is part of the port’s waterfront master plan. The site is located near the Event Site, adjacent to the Expo Center.

The Hood River Shopping Center starts a $2 million remodeling project this week that will expand by half again The Hub and Rosauers’ stores. Expansion and remodeling plans for the grocery and junior department stores have been on again, off again over the past five years. Shopping center owner David Zimel said lower interest rates and long-term leases with the retailers have led to a green light for construction starting Monday.

2006 — 10 years ago

There was some good news at Monday evening’s meeting of the Hood River County School District Budget Committee: Since the original budget was handed out, unexpected revenue from several sources has made it possible to reduce the tax rate to be aske from the 2006-2007 Local Option Tax.

A historical event occurred on Tuesday when a write-in candidate captured the seat of Hood River County Commission Chair in a primary election. In unofficial results, Parkdale orchardist Ron Rivers netted 60.88 percent of the vote. Rivers is still cautious about claiming victory until the results have been certified on June 5. However, he is aware the numbers are unlikely to change.

— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer