1926 — 100 years ago
Construction work began in earnest on the new senior high school building last week. The excavation work had all been finished the previous week and the ditches for footings were cleaned out down to solid gravel. Last week the concrete footings were poured and the frame work for the auditorium floor was set up. This week the forms for the concrete walls will be made and pouring will be well in hand by the end of the week. Almost before anyone can realize it, a new high school building will be erected and made ready for occupancy next year.
— Hood River News
M. J. Finlayson left this morning for his home at Antelope, after staying overnight at the Bank hotel on his return from a trip to Portland in the interests of the oil discoveries which have been made on his and adjoining ranches...
— The Dalles Chronicle
A flat denial that he had any liquor in his house when the dwelling was raided by local officers was made in the circuit court today and yesterday afternoon by T. D. Vernon, jointly accused with his wife, of possession of liquor. Vernon charged officers with having brought the liquor out there to plant in his home or his car, and branded the entire charge as a “frame up.” He declared that bottles produced as evidence were some he had picked up beside the road at Grass Valley, and that the dishpan in which Mrs. Vernon is accused of breaking the bottle of liquor to destroy the evidence was one in which he had washed his feet the night before.
— The Dalles Chronicle
Masons employed on the Mill creek tunnel work are expected to complete the work here this week. The city has laid pipe through the tunnel and encased it in a rock cribbing to protect it from boulders washed through the tunnel during high water. At the lower end, a masonry tube was constructed to carry sewage under the surface of the Columbia river.
— The Dalles Chronicle
The placing of 1596 new highway direction signs, bearing 2777 names, along the highways of the Yakima, and Walla Walla districts as well as along the North Bank highway, is the seven-week accomplishment of C. N. Clark and R. E. Crow, the head sign crew of the automobile club of Washington.
— White Salmon Enterprise
1946 — 80 years ago
Around midnight Wednesday, fire resulted in considerable damage to Ma’s Squeeze-In restaurant on the ground floor of Hood River Hotel, and also did some damage to the rear end of the barber’s shop adjoining. Thanks to the prompt arrival of the Hood River volunteer fire department, the blaze was confined to the two small ground floor units and was not given a chance to extend itself to the hotel, all rooms of which now have guests. Naturally, there was some apprehension among these guests and smoke permeated the hotel building, but their fears were quickly allayed when the fire department rapidly controlled the blaze. Cause of the fire is not yet definitely ascertained.
— Hood River News
A new addition to Dalles City, part of which is already inside the city limits, is being opened to building along the bluff immediately above the west part of the Scenic drive...
— The Dalles Chronicle
Southern Wasco county has a “mining boom,” with claims filed at the local court house on just about every bit of land on both sides of the Deschutes river for a distance of four miles, north and south of Frieda station. This is about 12 miles south of Maupin. The occasion is the discovery of extensive perlite deposits...
— The Dalles Chronicle
1966 — 60 years ago
Paasch Road’s wood-deck bridge was earmarked for replacement by the County Commission during a meeting here on Wednesday. The bridge described by county officials as “a hazard long overdue for replacement” will be taken down, presumably within the next year, to make way for a new concrete structure complete with sidewalks and railing. Cost has been estimated at $100,000 with federal, state and county governments sharing the bill on a 60-20-20 percent basis.
— Hood River News
Some bigger bucks were taken by older members of archery clubs in The Dalles but likely none brought the smiles worn by 13-year-old Doyle Buchanan when he bagged a 78-pounder with his hunting arrow.
— The Dalles Chronicle
How to meet an ever-increasing demand for timber from the National Forests of the Douglas-fir region is the aim of a pioneering study now underway in the Forest Service.
— White Salmon Enterprise
One of the balloons distributed at the Huckleberry Festival on September 17 probably slipped some youngster’s grasp and was found the following day on Anachist Mt. British Columbia. This was reported in a letter to the Huckleberry Festival from Harold Lacey of Osoyoos, B. C., who said he found the balloon on Sunday, September 18 while on a hunting trip with his dad.
— White Salmon Enterprise
1986 — 40 years ago
If the City of Hood River faces a tough winter as it was last year, it could be a long, difficult season. The reason: old and worn snow removal equipment, say city officials. When sunny, warm summer weather turned to September rain, it prompted city workers to look even one step farther. What they saw made them especially apprehensive this year. One look at the equipment used by the city for snow removal is almost like looking back in time. Half of the vehicles in the city’s fleet were built in the 1950s, and their age is causing concern. “If we have snow, we have a problem. The people of Hood River should pray for rain,” says Don Weidner, city administrator.
— Hood River News
Kristen Frost, a PE teacher and coach for White Salmon Valley School District, plans to do a lot of biking, swimming and running during her stay in France this summer. She is competing in the world triathlon championship at Nice...
— White Salmon Enterprise
A US Senate floor vote on Columbia Gorge legislation was expected Wednesday on a revised version of the bill introduced there last year.
— White Salmon Enterprise
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