Yesteryears: J.C. Penney closes downtown Hood River branch in 1986

1926 — 90 years ago

There was considerable interest at the Hood River High School on Monday noon when it was reported that another epidemic was on its way, this time among the teachers. The School had passed through measles and mumps, and the new epidemic was reported to be of matrimony. The news started with the report that Miss Florence Clark, a substitute teacher for the past several months, had changed her name, and then somebody produced a Portland newspaper carrying the item that a marriage license had been issued to Miss Ruth M. Richards. Principal Gibson was sufficiently alarmed to begin checking up his list of lady teachers to find out who was who. Miss Richards was positive in the assertion that the marriage had not yet taken place.

The thirteenth annual Community Institute of the Pine Grove district will be held at Pine Grove Church tomorrow and Sunday, and a big attendance is already assured. In past years the local school children have played a prominent part in the opening features of this institute, but epidemic illnesses have made it impossible to include this feature.

1936 — 80 years ago

Snow and cold failed to keep 225 Upper Valley residents from joining in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the United Church and the community last Saturday night at a dinner and program. Seated at the head table were visiting ministers Dr. W.L. VanNuys, the Rev. and Mrs. F.G. Scherer and son Fred, the Rev. D. Morgan, present pastor, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Euwer, Mrs. H.R. McIsaac and T. Sato, representing the Japanese community.

Several examples of fireblight on pears, obviously from last season, have been found, either by growers or by members of the fireblight-control crew, says Leroy Childs, who urges all growers to carefully inspect their trees during pruning operations.

1946 — 70 years ago

Even the bee men must be thinking in terms of an early spring this year, for they are already in the field taking orders for stands for Hood River Valley orchards. Tuesday, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Burt, of Newberg, and Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Moulton, of Portland, Willamette Valley beekeepers, were interviewing orchardists in this area with a view to returning with many stands for rent this spring.

At a sale held by Hood River County at the courthouse Saturday morning of last week, the 501- by 100-foot lot, which the original Mt. Hood Hotel was located before it was razed several years ago, was purchased by Raymond Downing, the price paid being $4,100, or $1,000 higher than the minimum price set by the county. The property is immediately above the Union Pacific Railroad depot and faces north from Cascade Avenue. It enjoys a broad view of the Columbia and the hills beyond.

Applications to the county court to permit the sale of beer by the drink in Odell have met with a flood of opposition from residents there, report various county officials at the courthouse this week.

Three applications for retail malt beverage licenses in Odell, which has no taverns, were tabled by the court last Wednesday pending submission of all petitions favoring and opposing the licensing.

A number of phone calls have been received since by county courthouse officials from Odell residents, who had signed petitions favoring the applications, requesting their names be deleted from the petitions.

One Odell resident who made such a request said, “I didn’t know what the petition was all about when I signed it.” Such licenses are granted by the state but normally upon the recommendations of the county or city governments.

Arne Henefin was reappointed as juvenile probation officer and the court canceled three property contracts resulting from delinquent payments.

— Hood River News, January 26, 1956

1956 — 60 years ago

Proposed reorganization of Oak Grove, Barrett and Frankton schools is being considered by the respective school committees following discussion of the subject by Parent-Teacher organizations. The reorganization proposes to eliminate two-grade classes, to better utilize teaching personnel and equipment and to save the county school district an estimated $10,000 annually. Final action is pending decision of the respective school committees.

A recreation center, sponsored by the First Baptist Church, but for the use of youth of all denominations, has been organized in the Heights district in the former cannery building. The hall, on 11th Street between Pine and June, was purchased by Hugh and Alvin Durall and given to the Baptist church, which in turn converted it into its present condition for use by young people.

1966 — 50 years ago

Cascade Locks — Richard Roberts, formerly an insurance salesman in Hood River, has been named manager of the Port of Cascade Locks. He replaces Herb Wenzel. Helping Roberts win the job was his extensive background in political science and administration.

Parkdale’s District Ranger station will build its own sewer system and disposal plant this year, according to Richard Mueller, District ranger. The system will serve the five residences and the various administrative buildings on the grounds. It will eliminate the present septic tanks now in use. Mueller said the disposal plant, the first in the Upper Valley, will remove a source of possible contamination from Emil Creek.

1976 — 40 years ago

Former Hood River orchardist Earl Moore received recognition Saturday for 33 years of service on the board of directors of the Federal Landmark Association of The Dalles. Moore was attending his last annual meeting of the FLBA as board member and president of the past year. Presenting a recognition plaque was E. Ridell Lage, also a Hood River orchards and member of the board of directors for National Farm Credit.

Hood River County commissioners Monday night directed the Department of Public Works to meet with specialists to draw up electrical and mechanical specifications for the proposed county museum. The museum plans will then go to a public bid. Public Works Director Ron Merry said expertise in the fields of heating, electrical layouts, etc., is necessary to finish the plans and for advice during construction.

1986 — 30 years ago

James Cash Penney’s store in Hood River won’t quite make it to age 70. Management of the national mercantile store confirmed Monday that the J.C. Penney store, a fixture in Hood River since 1917, will close its doors for good here on June 7. The closure announcement was made Monday to store employees by Wayne Mohn, district manager, who met with the employees together with store manager Joe Farnsworth. Mohn cited adverse local economic factors, competition from larger markets and the resulting impact on store profits as reasons for the close.

“We’re shocked, stunned and very sorry for the teacher’s children, who were watching with their class on television.” That reaction, expressed by Harvey Hazen, principal of Hood River Valley High, was shared by people in Hood River and the nation Tuesday morning when they learned of the explosion of the ill-fated Challenger shuttle capsule shortly after lift-off. The launch had been postponed six times by problems ranging from weather conditions to a balky hatch handle.

1996 — 20 years ago

It may look like little more than some weeds and a trickling creek now, but with the vision of a few Odell residents, an area along McGuire Creek will soon be a beautiful natural park residents can use for walking, picnicking and viewing wildlife. Once complete, the day park, located in the Port of Hood River’s John Weber Industrial Park, will be the only park of its kind in the Odell area. “I see a real need for a park in this area. As time goes on, it is becoming an even greater need,” said Mark Beam of the Odell Sanitary District, who is helping head up the project.

A three-story parking structure will not be built in downtown Hood River after all. After reviewing bids for construction of the structure Friday, the Hood River Urban Renewal Agency decided to pursue a less costly proposal for a terraced surface parking area instead.

2006 — 10 years ago

Four decades now, the Hood River Valley High School gymnasium has provided shelter and a home for countless athletic, extracurricular and community events. It is, in a sense, the Eagles’ nest. And it does not have a name. Preceding the Jan. 27 boys’ home basketball game against Bend High School, the HRVHS gymnasium will officially be named Vannet Court, in honor of longtime Hood River locals and sports advocates Ed and Cherie Vannet. As icing on the cake for Ed, Jan. 27 happens to be his 80th birthday.

Ed taught for 20 years at Hood River High School and four years at the newly named Hood River Valley High School. He also acted for nine years as the full time athletic director and for 13 years at the HRVHS athletic director. “The news came as a real surprise,” Vannet said. “It feels wonderful, for an old man like me … I put my whole life here and I’ve loved it. I wouldn’t have wanted to do any other profession.”

— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer