The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 2, 1906, page 4
"Bingen"
Old residents of Bingen, and there are few older anywhere
in this neighborhood, say that this is the first time in their remembrance
that two seasons have passed when there has been no high water. Work on the
long level stretch of the north bank railroad through Bingen is progressing
rapidly. When completed this will be one of the best pieces of track to be
found anywhere in the country. Extending sixteen miles straight away with
a grade that will be on the only two-tenths of one percent. Through Bingen
the new road bought 4,500 feet of right of way 300 feet wide. Of this the
railroad will lay side tracks and erect a station. With a natural townsite
surrounding the railroad it is inevitable that a town of no mean proportions
will spring up at this point. In fact it is said by those who know, that
there is no spot on the line of the new road that is so well adapted to the
building of the town. With this in view, it is very evident why A.R. Upright,
who bought considerable of the right of way for the new road in this
neighborhood, purchased the store property of F.L. Thomas. The purchase included
three lots alongside the store, which are now worth $300 apiece. Mr. Upright
paid $1,700 for the property.
The saying that "everything comes to him who waits" is
exemplified in the life of Theo. Suksdorf, of Bingen. The Suksdorf family
landed in Bingen many years ago, what was known as White Salmon then, but
is now named after the far famed town in song and story of the "Bingen on
the Rhine." The Suksdorf family was not the only one of the thrifty Germans
who landed at this place as White Salmon landing was known long before the
now famous fruit town of Hood River was in existence. It was at this point
that the Lages, Dethmans and other hardy German pioneers, who had helped
so much to develop various sections of this country, landed.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer