1916 — 100 years ago
With appetites sharpened by long waits on delayed trains, nearly 200 passengers got off the westbound trains Saturday morning when they made an extended stop here waiting for the tracks west to be cleared. Both of the local hotels were besieged and put to the test in supplying the hungry travelers. Both, however, proved equal to the emergency.
Not for many years has Hood River been isolated for so long a period as last week when, for more than four days, no trains passed through this place. The heavy, almost unprecedented fall of snow that fell Monday night and Tuesday crippled all kids of transportation. The OWR&N, North Bank and Mt. Hood railroads were blocked at the RFD service was suspended because the country roads were impassable.
1926 — 90 years ago
During the heavy downpour of last Friday night, a miniature torrent of water from the higher parts of town tore a hole 20 feet wide and about 10 feet deep under the tracks of the Mt. Hood Railroad just south of the county bridge, leaving the track suspended in the air. Fortunately the damage was noticed before the train had attempted to cross the washed out area and a section gang was at work all Saturday cutting a permanent ditch for the water and repairing the tracks.
The city council, in session last Monday evening, decided to formulate plans for the paving of Oak St., from Ninth to the intersection of Cascade Ave., and to pave and install new water mains on Columbia St., between Fourth St. and 15th St. A sidewalk is also to be installed on Sixth St., between Oak and Cascade.
1936 — 80 years ago
The first flag flown in Hood River is the prized possession of Henry L. Howe, city recorder. The flag is 8 by 12 and has 36 stars. It was made with the first sewing machine in the State of Oregon by the ladies of Hood River and was first flown on July 4, 1861, in front of the old Park Street School. Mr. Howe came to Hood River in 1880 and taught school until 1899, and then worked for the government as land recorder till 1912. Since then he has been city recorder.
The arrival of the snowstorm at Bonneville Dam resulted in the laying off, temporarily, of many workmen. Officials decided that the snow and ice made much of the work entirely too hazardous to life and limb and ordered suspension of many outdoor activities for a few days.
1946 — 70 years ago
More than 90 members of Hood River County Farm Bureau Federation and friends attended the annual meeting, held at Pine Grove Grange on Wednesday. Ladies of Pine Grove Grange served another of their famous dinners prior to the meeting. With Howard L. Shoemaker as chairman of the nomination committee, the election of officers for the coming year was the first order of business, with Victor W. Thomsen elected president.
The Hood River Bowling Alleys changed hands Tuesday of this week in a transaction which resulted in Rene Hazeldine and Archie Turner taking over the business formerly operated jointly by Roy Webster, Harold Parsons and Wesley Turner. Hazeldine, a discharged army veteran from Jersey City, New Jersey, has taken over management and will be joined shortly by turner, who hails from New York City.
1956 — 60 years ago
The Pine Grove church committee on missions has received word that the Dutch refugee family which the church is sponsoring soon will be leaving Rotterdam on their way to make their home in Hood River. The Dutch family are the Johannes DeBruins. They have two children, a daughter, Johanna, and a son, Simon, and are members of the Dutch Reformed church.
A long-delayed problem of financing and constructing a replacement for the septic tank sewage system which overflows into Indian Creek and located in the southeast section of Hood River was referred by the city council Monday night for study by the engineering firm of Cornell, Howland, Hays and Merryfield. Estimated cost of the study is not to exceed $1,050.
Police added a new patrolman, Robert Ferguson, and at that same time issued an order for an across the board increase in police salaries effective Feb. 1.
New starting salary is $414, instead of the former $368, and other officers through the chief will get a raise.
“We just couldn’t get any applications without raising the starting salary,” explained City Administrator Bruce Erickson. “We had to do it.”
Money for the raise is already in the budget for this year. The department, partly because of its wage scale, has been operating short-handed.
— Hood River News, February 10, 1966
1966 — 50 years ago
Nearly 50 school administrators, board members and former board members gathered here Monday night to honor Irene Wilson, district school clerk, who is retiring after 30 years of service. The silver-haired, slight clerk, whose voice still sparkles with the efficiency which drew so much praise, spoke briefly to thank the guests not only for the praise, but also for a television set which was a retirement gift.
It will be a building year for Crag Rats in 1966, and members of the mountaineering club heard an outline of construction plans at their 36th annual banquet Saturday at May Street School. Crag Rats sold their building west of Hood River to the Texaco Company, and groundwork has been laid to convert the land near the Westcliff Drive freeway overpass into a service station. So the Crag Rats must move, and they have been looking toward construction on a location southeast of Hood River.
1976 — 40 years ago
Schools were the target of thieves and vandals last weekend, and in one case the loss reached a four-figure amount. Hood River Valley High’s shop area was entered on two different nights. The first night nothing was missing, but the second time tools valued at more than $2,100 were taken. At Mid Valley in Odell, someone committed acts of vandalism in the cafeteria, pouring water in the flour and powdered milk supplies. Cascade Locks school was also hit by thievery when someone entered the candy store and took a small amount of money.
An effort to save the Group Home in Hood River took staff members to Salem last week, but they came home without the money they needed. They have until Feb. 29 to solve their problem, otherwise the mentally and emotionally handicapped persons staying there will have to find someplace else to live. Many of them, according to Executive Director Alan Solle, might have to back into institutions.
1986 — 30 years ago
Sailboarding Scoop — Port of Hood River Manager Jim O’Banion notes that three sailboard industry manufacturers are planning to set up shop here this year. Da Kine, an international sailboard accessory firm, plans to locate a regional facility here starting next month. Pro Motion, which operated a sail-making operation next to the post office last year, will return this season and will consolidate other regional offices into a central location here. And a Vancouver, B.C., firm also reportedly will locate here. All three firms will be based on port-owned properties.
Advertisement: Surprise your sweetheart with a pizza from Shakey’s. Heart-shaped pizza delivered to your Valentine with a helium heart balloon from The Country Carousel to go or delivered for only $9.95. Call ahead for your delivery reservation. Offer good Feb. 10 through Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Shakey’s Pizza, 2002 12th Street, Hood River.
1996 — 20 years ago
Hood River Memorial Hospital plans to move and refurbish the historic Gatchel House have changed. Instead, the hospital is offering the house to anyone willing to move it and retain its historic value. The house, at 720 12th St., was to be moved to a vacant lot across the street and renovated for use as office space for the expanding health facility. The hospital’s final study showed that the move and renovation would not be cost effective, said Larry Bowe, hospital attorney and assistant administrator. The home boasts many elegant features unique to the period it was built.
Effects from this week’s once-in-a-generation floods across Hood River County will become more clear as high water recedes. But one thing’s a sure bet. The flooding — the result of lingering snow and ice eventually melted in lower leves by nearly five and a half inches of rain over Tuesday and Wednesday — caught nearly everyone off guard. The result was a muddy mess. In a single day, this went from Hood River’s 27th wettest February to the 10th.
2006 — 10 years ago
May Street Elementary School Teacher Kelvin Calkins thought some friend was playing a telephone prank on him — Senate President Peter Courtney wasn’t really calling for his help. But a few moments later, Calkins realized it was no joke. He was being asked by the Democratic leader to work toward education funding reform on behalf of Oregon K-12 students. And he was one of only two teachers who would be seated on the new Senate Special Commission on Educational Excellence.
“Gung Hay Fat Choy,” chorused Cascade Locks kindergarteners on Friday as they paraded behind dragon masks through neighboring classrooms. The 15 students had learned the Chinese translation for “Happy New Year” from teacher Joeinne Caldwell. They enthusiastically delivered the message while wearing traditional Oriental costumes that had been sewn by Linnea Masters, special education instructor. “We live in an isolated area and I want them to feel open and excited about other people and cultures,” said Caldwell.
— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer
Commented