Yesteryears: Earthquake rattles town in 1976

As in the palmy days of yore, Hood River may have two live baseball teams this year to furnish amusement for the fans and throw terror into the hearts of neighboring aggregations. A downtown team is already in the field under the direction of Captain Will Baker and Manager H.C. Garrabrant. The latter team went to White Salmon Sunday and played a game with the twirlers of that place. It went only seven innings, however.

1926 — 90 years ago

Still the crowd grows at the Schuler warehouse, 155 being present for the wrestling bouts last Monday night. The new mat is certainly appreciated by the wrestlers, even though it skins their elbows. The headline number was a bout between Dutchy Van Blaricom and Dave Brown. More real stuff is promised next Monday night.

A few hours well spent would take in lunch at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and a visit to the beautiful gardens which have been developed on the hotel property. Just now the prevailing blossoms are spirea, pansies, primroses and primulas and campanulas and tulips in the open gardens, while in the rock gardens numberless plants known only to the floriculturist are vying one with the other to add color to the picturesque setting of the hotel.

1936 — 80 years ago

The local offices of the State Employment Service is again appealing to all employers who can use help of any kind to get in to touch with the office in the First National Bank building, phone 2701. Eleven men obtained permanent jobs through the Employment Service this week ending April 4, but the register discloses a very large number of men and a number of women who are urgently in need of employment.

Mayor Joe Meyer had a pleasant surprise early this week, when he was notified by Architects Annand & Kennedy, of Portland, that a bid of $66,690 had been received from Baldwin & Wheir, of Hood River, for the construction of the swimming pool, proposed as one of the features for the park project on May Street just south of the high school.

At a special election, held last year, voters sanctioned a bond issue of $60,000, to cover cost of a needed swimming pool. More recently, however, in view of the greatly-increased cost of materials and constructions, many bids on public works projects have been held up, owning to lack of funds allotted for such projects.

According to Mayor Meyer, the matter will be referred to the city council for further consideration as soon as word comes from the architects at Portland.

— Hood River News, April 12, 1946

If present plans go through, it is probable that the first group of old age pensions, under the federal-state-county program, will be passed upon by the Hood River County Relief Committee shortly after the middle of this month. This group of applications will consist of residents at present receiving pensions.

1946 — 70 years ago

More than 2,000 smallpox vaccinations have been registered by the Hood River County Health Department since the current drive began. While the response toward protection against smallpox plague has been strong, there are many who have not sought protection by submitting to vaccination. Vaccinations can be given by family doctors, or at one of the clinics at city hall.

The returns to growers of pears and cherries in Hood River Valley will be fully equal to those of the past year, and that returns for the higher grades of apples will be at the 1944-1945 ceilings, were predictions made by J.E. Klahre, general manager of Apple Growers Association, and George Stadelman, of the Stadelman Fruit Company. Both Klahre and Stadelman returned from Washington, D.C., where they attended meetings of OPA and other price control groups, the first named representing pear growers and the latter cherry growers.

1956 — 60 years ago

Local radio station manager Don McCutcheon recorded on-the-spot coverage of the Sunday morning fire at the Eugene Hotel. McCutcheon, who had attended the Oregon State Broadcasters conference, was asleep in a seventh-floor room when the fire was discovered at 2 a.m. on the floor below. The versatile announcer escaped down an aerial fire ladder with tape recorder under one arm and proceeded to follow through with a 30-minute interview with screaming people awaiting rescue on the sixth floor, with firemen and bystanders.

Mrs. Housewife, attention! Businessman take note! The chamber of commerce has established a committee to issue credentials for salesmen who wish to call in the city. The committee members are Chet Coryell, Karl Kment and Charley Howe, reports Chamber President W.C. “Bill” Sundby. The purpose of the committee parallels a better business bureau, Sundby said, for the protection of residents and businessmen.

1966 — 50 years ago

Soggy skies had dried out by mid-week, and Pine Grove Grangers were looking for clear weather for their 13th annual Blossom Day smorgasbord at their hall Sunday. Last year more than 1,400 persons made the valley loop over blossom-lined roads to dine at the Pine Grove Grange. This year food will be prepared for some 2,000, “just to make sure we have enough,” said co-chairman Mary Moore. Menu includes Hungarian meatballs, 22 turkeys and 18 hams, along with the usual line of homemade cakes, pies, salads, baked beans and hors d’oeuvre.

The Small Business Administration has issued clearance on a $350,000 to Hood River Improvement Corporation for development of the Hood River Meadows Ski area on Mount Hood. Approval of the loan doesn’t mean that the bid has been awarded to Hood River Meadows Ski, but without it, according to one report, the organization would have had to forfeit the bid.

1976 — 40 years ago

“We had an earthquake — I felt it,” said the unidentified caller Monday afternoon. “A friend called me, and he said he felt it too.” It was the first indication that Hood River area residents noticed what was later identified to be a mild earthquake which centered south of The Dalles and measured 4.8 on the Richter scale. No damage was reported.

Cascade Locks officials tested a tour boat which the Port is negotiating to buy from Gray Lines. The 60-foot, diesel powered boat would be used for excursions from Cascade Locks and Stevenson, if negotiations work out. Port President Harry Cramblett described the purchase of “Columbia Sightseer” as an interim step toward planned purchases of a paddle wheel boat for the Port of Cascade Locks. It’s all part of a program to increase tourist attractions here. Tuesday’s test ride was also for spouses of Port and City of Cascade Locks officials.

1986 — 30 years ago

In just 45 minutes, the city council Monday approved a committee recommendation for a new city administrator, approved an off-street parking plan and approved a bid for the construction of the city’s new fire station. Kenneth H. Huber was appointed by Mayor Jim Walker to assume the duties of Hood River City Administrator May 1.

Songs, dances and production numbers from more than 30 Broadway musicals will be included in a Lions Follies extravaganza opening Friday in the Hood River Middle School auditorium. This is the 10th anniversary of the Mid-Columbia Lions Follies’ first benefit production, and cast and crew are going to make it a special one. Advanced tickets are available at Peggy’s Hen Hut, Bev’s Flower Basket, Heights Pharmacy, Odell Village Pharmacy, Windmaster Market, both branches of US Bank, First Interstate Bank, Heidi’s and McIsaac’s store.

1996 — 20 years ago

Hood River County officials will host a unique town hall style session in Parkdale Wednesday, this evening, to help outline local jurisdiction’s roles in farm labor camp management. It is unique because it is not a formal Hood River County Board of Commissioners session. Instead, the meeting is being called to address persistent legal and possibly criminal problems involving at least one Parkdale orchard. The county wants to meet with Parkdale neighbors to see if current county ordinances, if enforced, can solve housing concerns.

2006 — 10 years ago

On the exact day that members of the Lewis and Clark expedition met with tribal leaders in the Gorge 200 years ago, their descendants recreated the moment. Cascade Locks kindergarteners Bear Messersmith, Peighton Campbell and Araya Munoz, all of Native American heritage, played a key role in that moment. The trio met on Tuesday with Bud Clark, a descendant of Army Second Lt. William Clark, one of two soldiers on the historic journey. The students also had the opportunity to pat Gentle Ben, the offspring of Seaman, the Newfoundland that accompanied Clark and Capt. Meriwether Lewis on the Corps of Discovery. “Our generation met on the same day as their’s and I don’t ever expect to have another historical moment like that,” said teacher Joeinee Caldwell.

The weather forecast is calling for nothing but rain throughout the weekend, so parents of children 8 years and younger — the community Easter egg hunt April 15 has been moved from Jackson Park to Sprint’s Waucoma Building (basement), located on Wasco Street.

— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer