1926 — 100 years ago
While Independence day will come and go in The Dalles sans the customary salute of popping firecrackers and hissing rockets, because of the recently enacted ordinance prohibiting the shooting or sale of explosives, local people were preparing today to celebrate the occasion in divers [sic] ways.
[After the holiday] Many thousands of dollars worth of wheat was burned and considerable land seared, in a series of week-end blazes in Wasco and Sherman counties. Most of the wheat was insured.
— The Dalles Chronicle
All oiling equipment will be removed from the Mt. Hood Loop Highway and all oil covered up in the contemplation of heavy traffic over the Fourth of July holiday period, according to the maintenance engineer. The work will be halted in sufficient time to make driving over the highway free from any inconvenience, it was declared. Oiling operations have been taken from the local division over the Barlow pass and into the western section.
— Hood River News
1946 — 80 years ago
A blazing finale topped the annual Breakfast club Fourth of July celebration in The Dalles yesterday evening when three-fourths of the fireworks display was accidentally ignited and a mass conflagration of pyrotechnics went up in smoke along the Columbia river revetment east of the port. Breakfast club officials said today the accident was caused by a piece of lighted paper that flew back into the stock pile from one of the bombs which had been set off. About one-fourth of the display had been set off when the accident occurred... The Breakfast club spent $400 for the fireworks.
— The Dalles Chronicle
Last week’s issue of the News contained a list of 21 Hood River county men who gave their lives in the last great conflict. The War department release stated that the compilation was incomplete and could not be considered final.
Those reporting errors of omissions should make certain that the servicemen in question was registered with the Hood River county selective service board. All pertinent data on the serviceman’s serial number, outfit to which he was last attached, and War department notifications should be reported to [Sheriff] Gilmouthe.
— Hood River News
1966 — 60 years ago
The Fort Dalles Days parade later this month promises to be at least a mile and a half long, sponsors said Friday as they announced the identities of a number of outstanding units that will take part.
Automobiles by the millions swarmed over the nation’s expressways and sideroads today in the first full day of the long July 4th weekend. As the mileage mounted, so did the toll in traffic deaths. A United Press International count at 10:30 a.m. EDT showed at least 73 persons had been killed... since the holiday started.
— The Dalles Chronicle
Thor, the Scandinavian god of war, thunder and agriculture, son of Odin, Champion of the AEsir [sic] and benefactor of men has been contacted through the U.S. Telestar and may roll his chariot across the heavens over Camas Valley, causing lighting and thunder to augment the puny display put on by Earth’s Homosapients [sic] and pyromaniacs.
— White Salmon Enterprise
1986 — 40 years ago
Setting the tone — It was billed as a “fun parade” with surprises, and the procession here on the Fourth of July didn’t disappoint. Highlight of the parade was the Bobby Norton Band, complete with “pom pom girls” and “majorettes.” Following a long procession of fire equipment came the surprise of the day. In this case, “majorettes” Gary Willis, Mike Goe, and Bob Norton, pause to perform one of the more intricate baton twirling maneuvers along the route. Their appearance [bikinis, skirts and rainboots] caught parade viewers by such surprise that many of them didn’t react until after the band had passed them by.
— Hood River News
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