The Hood River News, Hood River, OR., December 19, 1919, page 1
BIG TOURIST HOTEL MAY BE BUILT HERE
Option Is Secured On Part Of Paradise Farm
LOCATION WOULD BE IDEAL
Will Form First Of Chain Of Tourist Hotels For Oregon - Portland Financiers
Are Behind Project - Minimum of 200 Rooms Is Set By Local Men - Big Future
Sensed
As may be known to a number of residents of this section,
a movement aiming at the construction of a big tourist hotel for Hood River
has been under way for the past two weeks. While the project is not entirely
local its origin, a number of businessmen of Hood River have sensed what
the future holds for this section in the way of tourist travel, with the
result that when interested parties in Portland came here with a tentative
proposal, they found that local men were in a receptive mood. That these
few business men of Hood River truly reflected the ideas of their fellow
citizens was amply evidenced on Monday evening, when a remarkably well attended
annual general meeting of the Commercial Club, the project was given its
first publicity.
It was stated by Leslie Butler, C.W. Blanchar and C.W.
McCallagh, who have been prominent in the preliminaries, that business men
and financiers of Portland have selected Hood River as the location for the
first of what will be a chain of tourist hotels throughout the state. They
realize that Hood River, as the gateway of Mt. Hood and the Loop Road and
from its position on the Columbia River highway, is destined to become a
mecca to all tourists who visit the Pacific Northwest, and declared that
this city is the logical location for the first of the chain of hotels which
are to make a bid for a share of the patronage of the class that is willing
to pay for scenery and comfort when it is available.
It was also stated that, while the bulk of the money
would probably be raised in Portland by the flotation of bonds, it was only
natural that Hood River should be expected to contribute to the extent of
her actual ability to a project which would add so greatly to the prosperity
of this section, and when the subject was under discussion, the prevailing
note was one which disclosed the willingness of all to go to the extent of
purchasing stock and forgetting the investment in such a hotel could be assured
as a permanent feature of Hood River.
Have Option On Fine Site
It was announced at the meeting that through C.N. Ravlin, an option on a tract 26½ acres of Paradise Farm had been secured from Mrs. M. Sue Henderson, the owner. All present recognized that no finer site could be secured in Hood River, for not only is it situated on the Columbia highway, but it has been the advantage of offering a remarkably fine view of the river and snow-capped mountains, besides being very convenient to the business section of the city.
Discussed From All Angles
It was almost midnight when the discussion came to an
end, and every possible angle of the project was discussed at length. Much
praise was extended to Miss Marguerite Saloman and the Portland Chamber of
Commerce for the consideration they had extended to Hood River and there
can be no doubt but that when the time comes, Hood River valley will lend
both its moral and financial support to what is destined to be one of the
most progressive projects that has ever been undertaken in this section.
Among those who contributed to the discussion with
well-sustained views were Rev. W.H. Boddy, who spoke on the glorious scenery
of Hood River valley and the undoubted future it possesses, C.W. McCullagh
who, after giving his own views, introduced the various speakers, E.O. Blanchar
and Leslie Butler, who gave the details on the hotel proposition and its
prospects, H.G. Ball, who recalled the great prosperity which properly advertised
scenic attractions had brought to other parts of the world and especially
the orient, E.W. Robinson, who dipped into the future of Hood River by
prophesying that there would be one great chain of hotels round Mount Hood
within fifteen years. Architect Swope, who discussed the various types of
hotels that would suit the location upon which the option had been secured
and who promised to secure figures of approximate cost for the committee
to take to Portland when they meet the promoters at that end. J.H. Fredricy,
who found it easy to talk on his pet project of the opening up of Lost Lake,
the most beautiful spot in the world, F.W. Chindlund, who gave a hotel man's
view on the question, and Dr. Brosius, who spoke from the viewpoint of a
promised investor when the bonds were issued and on what the rancher would
derive from the sale of produce to the hotel, and Elbert E. Newell, who,
as a civil engineer, contributed his views on the possibilities that lie
ahead of this section.
At the conclusion of the debate, Harry Connoway introduced
a resolution promising full financial and moral support to those behind the
proposition, and this was carried unanimously, this bringing to an end one
of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held at the Commercial Club.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer