Notes
There's a bit of a mystery here determining a precise date. The "Non-Residents Register Here" sign at the Chamber of Commerce offices in the Mt. Hood Hotel make me think it is a wartime image. The sign advertising the American Legion climb on July 16-17 leads me to pre-war 1938. The license plates are blurry, but the number position and shade matches these years: 1938 and 1940. But the automobiles look postwar to my eyes.
Can the HHR sleuths come up with a more precise date for this image? If it was a prewar 1938, what was the nature of non-resident registration? I think there's some important history hidden in this image.
I guess I should mention we're looking west on Oak Street from about First, right in front of the Mt. Hood Hotel. Herman Kresse's name is on the drug store at 2nd and Oak, Dr. E.J. Ivie has a shingle out over the hardware store, and Dude's Tobacco and Candy seems to be doing brisk business.
Category: [Downtown Hood River]
Tags: automobile Oak_Street
Comments
I think those years would be the time frame. Just looking at the clothing of the women indicates that to me. Bill Pattison should have an idea who Dude and Dr. Ivie were................
charlott on 21st November 2016 @ 7:10am
The nearest car, westbound is a 1937 (or so) Pontiac 4 door sedan and the other cars appear to be prewar
Dale Nicol on 21st November 2016 @ 7:15am
Cars are definatly pre war..
I would like to know the address of the first Safeway and first Penneys, I believe both were in the middle of the block on Oak Street. Safeway is now in their fourth location in HR.
Kenn on 21st November 2016 @ 8:02am
I think the first Safeway was in the block where Andrews Skylight Theater is now.
When I came to HR, Penney's was where Stave & Stone , Kyle & Jill House's new wine tasting, wine purchases, & great venues are now. The other 1/2 is a nice HR crafts store with beautiful items.
Judy on 21st November 2016 @ 11:21am
Yes, the very first Safeway I recall was there in the block of Andrews Pizza. Garrabrant's Chevrolet was also in that block, then Safeway moved down to where Pietro's is, then up to the Hood River News building and finally out to the west end.
As to Garrbrant's I remember having to be very careful when you walked past the car entrance as you never knew when one was going to come zipping out.
I never knew of Penney's being in any other location. Know the street got pretty well plugged up when a truck made a big delivery as there were big steel doors in the sidewalk, possibly still there, when the freight was taken down into the basement. The front of Penney's had a lot of activity. That is where the "Popcorn Kids" put their popcorn/candy van on Saturday. Then there was the "Pencil Man", whom I wish I knew about. He was quite elderly, white haired and reminded me of Mark Twain. He had lost both legs somehow and rode around on a little board like thing that he paddled with these hand paddle things. He sold pencils and yes, I had more pencils that I could ever use. Possibly his only source of income. I have always wondered if he was a WWI veteran. Wish someone actually knew who he was......
charlott on 22nd November 2016 @ 7:11am
Thanks Charlott for your memories. I think I remember the "Pencil Man".
I have googled around trying to find out something about, "Non Residents Register Here."
Not able to come up with anything.
In September 1940 the U.S. institutes the first draft during a peace time.
In 1937-38 there are some things going on with Bonneville dam which included registering.
Is the day the 4th of July?
L.E. on 22nd November 2016 @ 3:48pm
LE, I suspect this is July 4th too. There are lots of people hanging around in the street, like a parade has just passed or is due soon.
Arthur on 22nd November 2016 @ 3:58pm
I found a La Grande postcard with the same "Non-residents Register Here" sign. It has a State of Oregon seal on it.
Arthur on 22nd November 2016 @ 4:00pm
Looks like downtown 'traffic' has been around a long time!
Ben on 30th July 2017 @ 7:35am