hrtown.html

History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon.
Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

HOOD RIVER TOWN (Sept. 1944)

The town site as originally platted and laid out, by H.C. and E.F. Coe, consisted of four blocks near the R.R. station, on the donation land claim of Nathaniel Coe. To everyone who would agree to erect a building immediately, the land was given. To those who wished to purchase for future use, from fifty to seventy five dollars was asked.
A prohibitory whiskey clause was inserted in each deed. Other plats were added later, and when the brothers divided the property, Mr. E.F. Coe disposed of his half and abandoned the whiskey clause.
John Parker erected the first building in July 1881, T.J. Hosford erected the Mt. Hood Hotel in August, G.M. Champlin erected a building in September in which he moved his stock of merchandise from the building in use on Dr. W.I. Adam's farm. E.L. Smith purchased an entire block, erected a two story building and moved his merchandise from Frankton to the new town. The town continued to grow until it covered the entire donation land claim of Nathaniel Coe. To the south it reached the Parkhurst tract, which consisted of forty acres, bought from the state by the widow of Dr. Parkhurst. It lies south of the east half of the Coe claim and extends to Indian Creek. Oscar Stranahan had homesteaded land south of the west half of the Coe claim and just west of the Parkhurst tract. The demand for lots brought "Stranahans First Addition" and later "Stranahans Second Addition" to Hood River.
All this land is located on the Heights and May St. is near its northern boundary. On the west the town overflowed 13th St. the eastern line of Paradise farm. This land was first claimed by Dr. Farnsworth in 1852, it was abandoned by him and claimed by Wm. Jenkins in 1854. It was sold by the widow of Wm. Jenkins in 1869 to Mitchell and Nye, who sold it to W.P. Watson in 1870. He sold it to Dr. Adams in 1876. Lyman Smith Avenue bounds it on the south.