We've seen a few views of the George Crowell Store before, but I don't think I shared this one yet. It took a bit of digital magic to make this faded view easy to read, but I think it was worth it. It looks like that's Mr. Crowell in front of his store, and that may be Mrs. Crowell in front of him with the bicycle. The view up Oak Street shows just how many of the trees you had to weave around with your wagon to get into town that way.
The billboard says "Buy Your Machinery and Vehicles of Mitchell Lewis and Staver Co. Portland OR." Mitchell Lewis and Staver was founded in 1882 and is still doing business from its Portland offices.
History buffs may enjoy the Sense of Place lecture I will be giving Wednesday, November 4th at the Columbia Center for the Arts. It's part detective story/ part biography and had its start in the archives of our very own History Museum. It's not primarily photo based like my last two Sense of Place lectures, but I think most HHR followers will find the subject matter engaging.
Category: [Downtown Hood River]
Tags: 1890s 2nd_Street bicycle Crowell George_Crowell_Store Oak_Street
What Mrs. Crowell wouldn't give for a pair of spandex.
At least trees in the middle of the road don't move. There is nothing like a "summer no wind day" in Hood River and trying to dodge pedestrians.
Any idea what the white cylinders in the window are? I don't think they are crocks.
L.E. on 29th October 2015 @ 8:48am
My best guess is the cylinders in the window are hat boxes.
Arthur on 29th October 2015 @ 1:55pm
Which of you would be willing to get on a bike with all those petticoats and try to make it up the street?
nels on 29th October 2015 @ 11:18pm
I was thinking about women and bicycles. This was during a time when women were still riding a horse side saddle.
Here is an interesting article about the social changes that bicycles brought to the lives of women.
It was a big change.
http://www.annielondonderry.com/womenWheels.html
L.E. on 30th October 2015 @ 7:14am
Had to laugh at the women biking in the long skirts. I was in Innsbruck a few winters ago, snow and ice on the streets and the young women going to work on their studded wheeled bikes in spike heels. My eyes had a hard time believing what I was seeing.
Charlott on 30th October 2015 @ 7:16am
Ever see the movie "The Wizard of Oz"? Dorothy's mean school teacher could really ride in her skirt..... The actress's name was Margaret Hamilton
Judy on 30th October 2015 @ 6:58pm