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The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., July 27, 1905, page 5

NATURE WAS KIND TO BINGEN SITE

One of the most important towns along the Columbia and one that is strongly in the limelight just now is Bingen. It has been nearly a half century since the first settlement was made there by the Suksdorf family and that family is still there today. Nature was most generous and kind to the country in and around Bingen and left a beautiful spot for a townsite. The great trees that mark the mountain side are not there, and when the town is platted off it is back far enough so that the high water along the Columbia river does not work back and overflow.
A more perfect spot for a town could not be imagined and as it is many are now coming in and looking over the city relative to locating and taking advantage of the choice location. It has been practically assured that a railroad is coming down the north bank and it is pretty sure that Bingen will have a depot. For many years the same rumors have been going the rounds every time a survey was made or a right-of-way man would put in an appearance. Now it is different for it has been handed down high in railway circles that a trans-continental line is going to be pushed down the north bank. The rancher and the merchant of Bingen and best of all Theodore Suksdorf, the postmaster, who with his brothers and others own so much of the land in that locality. They have placed on the market the lots in the townsite and offering them for $50 and upwards.
Already strangers are flooding in and there is a great deal of talk going the rounds that much building is to be done soon. Last week an effort was made to buy the large store building owned by G.A. Thomas, but he refused as he intends to open a large store himself if the road goes through. He has great confidence in the future of the city and the country and now that the road is a foregone conclusion he will again enter the field and give the people of the valley and Bingen one of the best stores in the state.