The City of Hood River
Source; Wikipedia

The City of Hood River is located on the Columbia River Highway 61.9 miles east of Portland and 24 miles west of The Dalles and is the seat of the Hood River County. It is also one end of the Mountain Loop Highway which takes tourists around Mt. Hood and was completed in 1922.

Hood River is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The 2020 census lists the city population at 8,313. It is the only city in Oregon where public consumption of alcohol on sidewalks or in parks is totally unrestricted. Hood River is at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The city is about 30 miles north of Mount Hood, the tallest peak in the state. It is across the Columbia River from White Salmon, WA. South of the city is the Hood River Valley, known for its production of apples, pears, and cherries.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.35 square miles, of which 2.55 square miles is land and 0.80 square miles is water. The Hood River was originally called Dog River and the first post office was established there on September 30, 1868, and the city itself was incorporated in 1895.Originally, the city was part of Wasco County, but it became the seat of Hood River County when the county was first established in 1908.

The Hood River Commercial Club's Booklet printed in 1919
Material submitted by Jeffrey A. Fox - 2022

In issuing this booklet, we have endeavored, by pen and picture, to give a clear, concise statement of the advantages and attractions of the Hood River community as they actually exist. We have refrained from giving alluring figures as to the profits and yield of the Hood River orchards, berry fields and farms. We prefer to have any interested reader and prospective settler ascertain these facts, by personally coming in contact with the growers and farmers themselves—to see for themselves exactly what our land is producing.

And to make his or her own decision as to whether or not the raising of high quality apples, berries or pears and cherries is a profitable investment. From a climatic, scenic, social and educational standpoint we do not hesitate to claim that nowhere on the Pacific Coast can there be found a combination of these advantages equal to that which the Hood River community has to offer. If you are seeking a western home all we ask of you is to reserve your final decision until you have seen Hood River Valley.

View the Booklet

Hood River History

City of Hood River
A Picturesque Health and Pleasure Resort That Is Visited by Thousands of People Annually. A City of Homes Churches and Schools. The Trading Center and Shipping Point for the Famous Hood River Valley, noted for Its Fruit and Place for Investors.

The Hood River Glacier
Friday July 14, 1899

Nature, the great architect of the universe, located the habitations of man. Large cities are not placed by chance. The little brook that trickles from its crevice in the rocks and receives its growth from the snow-capped giants of the hills, winds its way to the sea, opening up a highway for the traffic of a nation. Slowly but irresistibly it cuts its channel through mountain gorges, over silent meadows, down rocky steeps, roaring, plunging and spreading, but never stopping till it mingles itself with the boundless ocean.

It asks no help from the puny hand of man. Whether its waves dash against the desolate shores of the wilderness, or labor with the weight of commerce, it cares not only onward, in its progress, inviting the laborer to rest his wares upon its bosom, that they may be easily transported to the teeming world. It stretched its hand up the canyon among the hills far by the side of the great Columbia; an opening had been made, and an outlet granted for the many productions of the great agricultural and horticultural region here. Alone in its great power, uncompromising in its resistless strength, it gave out the flat and located the sightly little city of Hood River in a natural grove of towering oaks.

Little by little, men made obeisance to the incontrovertible mandate and the place has steadily grown until today it has a population of about 500 souls. Hood River is delightfully situated on a hill side in a forest, affording ample shade and natural drainage. It is in fact a Forest City. Horizoned by rugged and picturesque mountains, and tree tops, that cut sharp silhouettes against a sky of incomparable blue, the town is hidden by a dense carpet of green. Here and there a white splotch shows against the deep mass, where some house thrusts itself above the trees, but a man standing upon the heights to the south and looking down would never guess that 500 people dwelt under that natural thatch of stately oaks.

To the north an inspiring view of that grand, broad stream, the Columbia, is afforded. The residence portion in these circling forest hills, disclosing glimpses of cosy cottages, unique villas and pretensions mansions, surrounded by evidences of artistic landscape gardening, sweeping driveways and every evidence of wealth, culture and refinement. No place of its size in this or any other state has more magnificent homes, nor It more happily surrounded, and in nearly every instance the landscape handsome residences are owned by the occupants thereof.

The business streets are well shaded and located on a natural incline and are lined with pretty and commodious trade emporiums. Hood River, the thriving town of the Cascade mountains, is situated at the confluence of the Columbia and Hood rivers, at an elevation of 103 feet above the level of the sea. Owing to its proximity to Mount Hood and to its healthful location, the place attracts many summer visitors. Excursionists visit us by steamers in large numbers and quite frequently during the hot months.

The town is also the shipping point for the Hood River valley, noted the country over for its production of strawberries and apples. While the population of the town is only about 500, yet the valley is thickly settled and contains about 2,000 people. It is on account of this dense population that the rural free delivery mail system is now on experimental daily trial in these parts. A pen sketch of the Hood River valley, found elsewhere in this issue, even when kept scrupulously within the bounds of facts, reads like a tale from the "Arabian Nights."

The development that has been accomplished is but feebly described when it is called marvelous. The old simile of a desert converted into a garden has been so frequently applied to many localities in Oregon that it has become trite nevertheless, there is not another portion of the state where it is so applied as in Hood river valley. It is true, wonderful results have been accomplished in other places, but Hood River valley stands first and foremost in the demonstration of the possibilities of fruit culture.

The city of Hood river was incorporated about five years ago, though the first settlers arrived in the valley in 1854, among the number, H. C. Coe, whose strawberry patches covering a number of acres are within the corporate limits and from which about 1,000 crates of berries of 24 boxes each have been shipped this season. The first store building erected in the town is still standing and is occupied by the large mercantile house of Bone & McDonald.

The town was laid out in March, 1881, by H. C. Coe, on the donation land claim of his father, the late Nathan Coe. The second building erected in the town was the Mt. Hood hotel by T. J. Hosford, in the latter part of August of that year. The first residence was built by John P. Hilsteon, the second by Judge George T. Prather. Peter Tanner's residence came next, then followed the erection of a store building by Mr. Jennie Champlain, now occupied by Blodgett's harness shop. No more buildings worthy of note were put up till 1882, when E. L. Smith's store building, Prather's building and the Rand building, occupied by A. S. Blowers & Son, besides others, including the O. R. & N. railroad depot, and the old school house went skyward.

In 1891 there was another spurt in building operations and quite a number of edifices were completed, including two churches and two business houses. Since then the growth of the town has been steady and substantial till today it may be said to be a lovely little city of homes, churches and schools. The first mayor of the town was O. M. Wolfard, now a resident of White Salmon, a village in Klickitat county, Wash., immediately across the Columbia river from Hood River.

The present city officers of Hood River are; Mayor, E. L. Smith; recorder, John Nickelsen; treasurer, George P. Crowell; marshal I, E. S. Olinger; councilman, Captain J. H. Dukes, Charles A. Bell, Judson Ferguson, Win. Yates, G. D. Woodworth and Putnam F. Bradford. The growth of Hood River has been steady and permanent, based upon actual demands, and what is found here can be accounted for on the basis existing to supply a present instead a prospective demand. As a trading point, Hood River ranks with the ordinary town of several times its size. It has both rail and water transportation and all wagon roads lead to the town, as naturally as they are and said to have led to Rome.

A costly steam ferry will soon be in operation across the Columbia, and which enterprise will draw additional trade from the Washington banks of that river. The people of Hood River are fully alive to the fact that the common school is the foundation from which the state must draw largely its best citizens men and women, full-orbed with the qualities which make them true and wise. This evidenced by the liberal spirit which the citizens have in the past provided for the wants of the Hood River graded public schools and by the confidence and respect which the school demands in the community, as well as by the jealous care with which its interests and reputation are cherished.

The old school building was given place to a new $8,000 edifice, which is heated by a furnace and has all the modem conveniences and paraphernalia. At present, inclusive of the principal, four teachers are employed and a fifth instructor will likely be added this year and the tenth grade established. There are eight months of school in the year and there an enrollment of 154 pupils. A new principal has been employed in the person of Professor C. D. Thompson, who taught at Cascade Locks last year. He is a graduate of Corvallis. He has able assistants in the persons of the Misses Grace A. Graham, Mella White and Minnie Elton, with another yet to be engaged. The school board is composed of S. H. Cox, chairman; N. C. Evans, and A. S. Blowers, with D. Mc Donald as clerk.

Hood River's social advantages are as desirable as can be found anywhere in the East. There are three magnificent church edifices here, viz: Congregationalist, Methodist and United Brethren. The churches of the city are, as a rule, strong, vigorous, healthy societies. They compare favorably with similar bodies in any place of equal size in New England or the Middle States. The stranger within our gates may worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience and the fashion of his fathers, and find himself in company with those of his own belief.

The fraternities are well represented in Hood River. The rosters of the different orders which draw the veil of considerate secrecy over their ceaseless and wide charities embrace the names of our foremost citizens, men prominent in affairs and full of public spirit and civic pride. The circulating public library of Hood River is an admirable institution. Since its inception, it has steadily grown in usefulness and the favor of the public. The shelves contain about 800 volumes. A membership fee of fifty cents per annum is charged for its privileges. The library is in charge of George T. Prather, who is also justice of the peace.

Hood River has a gravity system of waterworks, which are supplied from a large, never-failing spring, at an elevation of some 250 feet above the town. The water has been analyzed and pronounced to be the purest and best in the land. There has as yet been no system of electric lighting established here; however, there are nine individual acetylene gas plants in operation. All lines of business are represented here and there are some very fine and large stores conducted by mercantile films with sufficient capital and facilities to compete with large cities close at hand, all doing a first-class business and many of which are spoken of separately in this issue.

Visitors who come to Hood River in search of pleasure, as well as health, will find little difficulty in passing their allotted time most agreeably. Those who delight in viewing the beauties of nature will find a world of interest in visiting the notable river attractions and throughout the adjacent country. Any part of the country is easily accessible by means of existing routes of travel, by boat, railway or roads over which driving is a favorite recreation. The sportsman will find abundant material upon which to practice his skill. Fishing affords unrivaled sport for the angler. Sailing, driving, horseback riding, bi cycling and other outdoor forms of exercising are feasible during a greater part of the year.

Invalids who in the East dare not venture out, either because of the cold, the heat, or some other menace to health, will find supreme delight, and a new lease of life in the vitalizing air and sunlight which permits them to enjoy to the fullest extent all the outdoor exercise of which they are capable. No matter what may be the object which brings visitors to Hood River, they cannot fail to yield to the pleasurable enjoyment of existence in a spot where, as one contented traveler observed, "It is so good to be alive!"

The climate of Hood River is proverbially excellent. The summers are ideal. Even in the hottest part of summer, the nights are deliciously cool, insuring sleep and rest. The winters here are neither long nor severe. The climate will perhaps be found best suited to invalids, who, from long residence in high or windy regions, have suffered from that nervousness so common to such sections, and to busy men and women in general, who find it impossible to "slow down" the machinery of their lives while within the stimulating influence of certain climatic or social conditions.

Such people usually are sufferers from insomnia and loss of appetite and digestive power. The effect of this climate on such is to induce sleep and improve the assimilating functions. Sufferers from general malarial affections will almost invariably be cured, as will also most cases of dry catarrh, which prevail in high, dry climates. Many sufferers from rheumatism in high altitudes and the cold, damp regions of the country are entirely cured here, and especially favorable are the conditions for heart affections.

Consumptives should not come to this region with the disease developed, though consumption rarely originates here, but when it does, it runs a very rapid course to a fatal end. There is practically immunity from the ordinary diseases of childhood in severe forms and from acute inflammations due generally to sudden chilling as the equability of the climate is a sure safe guard against such dangers. In conclusion, however, be it said that about all kinds of climate a person wants can be obtained at the different altitudes in this vicinity.

Hood River has been the home of prosperity form the day of its foundation, but the best days of this place are in the future. Mark the prediction. Some idea of the importance of the sprightly and sightly little city of Hood River may be gathered from the fact that here are found a staple municipal government, one of the largest lumbering mills in the state, with a capacity of 100,000 feet of lumber per day, and another, a third as large, soon to be erected west of town; two hotels an armory hall, two restaurants and numerous private boarding and lodging houses, two livery stables, an excellent weekly newspaper, The Glacier, part of which you hold in your hand, a fruit growers' union, an extensive fruit cannery, a ferry, four general stores, two drug stores, three churches, two hardware stores, two furniture stores, two harness shops, two meat markets, two confectioneries, two bakeries, a box factory, a racket store, a grocery, a photograph gallery, billiard room, a barber shop, a shoe shop, a queensware, crockery and stationery store, two laundries, a band, a blacksmith, two real estate agencies, while the professions are represented by a dentist, two physicians and two attorneys.

There is no saloon in Hood River. Some months ago one was conducted here under a government license, but it was starved out and the proprietor quit the business in disgust. It is worthy of mention in connection with the schools, to state that besides the six-room high school building in Hood River, there are the Barrett school, with two rooms, four miles southeast and the Frankton school, two rooms, 2.5 miles west. While two new school houses of the same capacity, are course in of construction in the Pine Grove and Udell districts on the east side. In the Mount Hood district a new school building is also being erected.

S. E. Bart mess, Furniture and Undertaker.

Mr. Bartmess established himself in his present business at Hood River about seven years ago, coming from La Fayette, Ind. It would be next to impossible, within the limits of this article, to enumerate everything kept in stock at his establishment. Suffice it to say that his assortment of goods is full, complete and up to date in every respect. The upper story of his building, which is his own property, is occupied by himself and family as a residence, while the entire lower floor is used for business purposes, being stocked to the ceiling with goods.

The front part of the room is taken up with furniture, carpets, baby carriages, wallpaper, paints, oil, etc., of which he has everything usually found in a first class store. An addition, 18x30. has been built to the main building, two stories, making the present dimensions 30x74 feet. The middle room is utilized as an undertaking department, where are found handsome coffins and caskets and a general line of undertaking goods. Mr. Bartmess owns a hearse and he makes a specialty of embalming and shipping bodies. As a funeral director he has few peers.

In the rear of his store is kept his supply of building material, consisting chiefly of doors, windows, lumber, lime, hair, cement, moldings, etc. Picture frames are made to order. The building is lighted throughout with acetylene gas. The Oregoriian has been handled at this store for the past seven years, the daily deliveries ranging from 50 to 100 copies. Mr. Bartmess is a citizen of public spirit and high standing, always ready to help along any enterprise that may have for its purpose the advancement of the interests of Hood River and vicinity.

Mountain Stage and Livery Co.

Messrs. Ferguson, Dukes & Wright, all old-time citizens, are proprietors of the Mountain Stage and Livery Company. They have been associated together in business since the month of March of 1899. The location of the spacious livery, sale and feed stable, is adjacent to the railroad depot and the boat landing and it is immediately across the street from the Mt. Hood hotel. They have ample stall room for the large business they are doing and special attention is given to commercial men and camping parties in season.

A draying business is also carried on by this firm and teams can be fitted out for any purpose on short notice. Among the horses kept for livery purposes are fine roadsters for gentlemen's driving, gentle horses for ladies' driving and tiding, fine carriage horses and gentlemen's riding horses. This stable is the place to hire a livery team, have your team taken care of, or you can buy or sell a horse here as quickly and satisfactorily as elsewhere. Careful drivers furnished, when desired.

J. H. Ferguson is a native of Pennsylvania, and has resided here since 1879. He formerly worked at his trade, that of a watchmaker and jeweler, at one time being employed in the city of Portland. He owns the barn occupied by the firm, also his residence and 80 acres of land, three miles out of town. He is a member of the city council, as is also his partner, Captain J. H. Dukes, who was reared in Illinois, and has been a resident of these parts for the past 12 years. F. J. Wright, the remaining partner, is also from Illinois, an old-timer, and has been engaged in strawberry culture

Mt. Hood Hotel, C A. Bell Proprietor

There are few hotels in a place of the size of Hood River that have entertained a greater number of guests than the Mt. Hood hotel for the reason that it is the only first-class hotel in every respect in the city. The history of the house dates back a number of years, Mr. Bell, himself having been "mine host" for the past six years, and to many of its old patrons it has come to be looked upon as a home and Mr. Bell as a genial friend and host. The Mt. Hood hotel is too well known to the traveling public to require a  description in detail, but for the benefit  of readers of this paper at a distance we will state that it is a fine, modem, two-story structure, located conveniently to the depot and overlooking the majestic, Columbia river.

There are 20 guest rooms, equal in their furnishings and arrangements to the best hotels in towns many times the size of Hood River, and a free sample room is provided for commercial men. The cuisine department is in charge of competent hands, and the tables are supplied with the best the market affords. The dining room is large and inviting, and the service is of the best. Commercial men, tourists and businessmen from neighboring towns always make their headquarters at the Mt. Hood hotel when visiting Hood River. The rates are reasonable and reductions are made to guests who remain for any length of time, whether they be on a health, pleasure or business trip.

Mr. Bell came to Hood River from Eastern Oregon about nine years ago and was at first engaged in the sawmill business. Three years later, he took hold of the hotel and has made a success of it from the very beginning. Besides being a popular landlord, Mr. Bell is a sanguine and enthusiastic supporter of all enterprises for the good of the public and his deservedly high standing as a caterer and a business man is second only to his popularity with his guests and many personal friends. he is a member of the city council.

A. S. Blowers & Son, General Merchandise.

The general merchandise store has always been, and must in the nature of things, always continue to be the store of the people. The general merchant is usually among the pioneer merchants and he has also been a leading citizen in all pioneer settlements. His prosperity has always depended upon the common prosperity. There is probably not a general merchandise store in Hood River that commands more confidence and general patronage than that of A. S. Blowers & Son. This firm has been in existence for the past 10 years and it deals in nearly everything that can be mentioned with the exception of drugs, furniture and harness.

The stock consists chiefly of staple and fancy groceries, dry goods, clothing, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, etc. Agricultural implements and farm machinery are kept on hand and anything wanted in this line will be ordered directly from the factory, if not already in stock, also machine repairs can be obtained through this firm. A. S. Blowers & Son have the exclusive agency here for the celebrated Miller shoe, made at Racine, Wis., though other standard makes are kept on their shelves.

A. S. Blowers, the father, is a native of New York, emigrating with his parents at an early age to Minnesota. He was a soldier during the war of the rebellion and subsequently located in Otter Tail county, Minn., whence he came to Hood River, in the month of January, 1889. He owns a handsome residence here and will likely spend the remainder of his days in these favored parts. He also has a strawberry ranch and an apple orchard. From the farm he will this year ship about 1,000 crates of berries. His orchard was planted about five years ago and is beginning to bear profitably.

Mr. Blowers has served one term as county commissioner, in which arduous and responsible position and he has had 12 years experience in his Minnesota home. He has served as a school director and captain of the crack militia company of this section, it having walked off with the championship as the best drilled company at the regimental encampment at The Dalles. Mr. Blowers is also president of the City Water Company, and half owner of the works.

L. N. Blowers, the son, was the first mayor of Sumpter, Or., to which place he removed, and engaged in business for a short time, and was also the second mayor of Hood River. He is a young man of family, possessed of fine business attainments, and is the owner of a fine forty-acre orchard. He also owns town lots here on which he is about to erect a residence.

Mrs. M. M. Fewel Mt. Hood, Confectionery.

Mrs. Fewel, who is a most deserving and successful caterer, has been tickling the palates of the people of Hood River, so to speak, for the past four years, her cozy and inviting place of business is near the railroad depot, the boat landing on the Columbia, and opposite the Mt. Hood hotel. The Mt. Hood Confectionery is always stocked with all kinds of sweetmeats, fruit in season, and a fine line of cigars and tobacco is carried. Soft drinks are a specialty, and her nicely carpeted ice cream parlor is the most popular resort in town for ladies and gentlemen. `The attractive way in which the stock is displayed, and the courteous manner in which patrons are served, usually by Mrs. Fewel herself, are noticeable facts and warrant us in saying that this is one of the pleasantest places in Hood River at which to trade.