Northwest Railroad Depots: Hood River, Oregon

I originally posted this information on my old website on March 26, 2009, and last updated it on December 18, 2009.

Mt. Hood Railroad Depot in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009

The original Hood River depot was a Queen Anne-style station built in 1882, the year that the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company completed the line on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge between Portland and The Dalles. The line was eventually absorbed be the Union Pacific Railroad.

OR&N Company Railroad Depot in Hood River, Oregon

This Craftsman-style depot was built in 1911 to serve the Union Pacific line, replacing the 1882 depot. It was larger than most other stations at the time, and featured a waiting room that accommodated 120 people, a men's smoking room and an women's restroom.

Mt. Hood Railroad Depot in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009

The Mount Hood Railroad was built from Hood River south to Dee in 1906 and reached Parkdale in 1909. The Mount Hood Railroad had its own depot built nearby by 1908 that remained in use for years afterwards, perhaps lasting until after the Union Pacific acquired the Mount Hood Railroad in 1968, but it has since been demolished.

Mt. Hood Railroad Depot in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009

Union Pacific sold the Mount Hood Railroad to a group of local investors in 1987, and the old Union Pacific depot now serves as headquarters of the Mount Hood Railroad, which operates both freight and tourist passenger trains, and it also served Amtrak trains until the Pioneer was discontinued in 1997.

Mt. Hood Railroad Depot in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009

The depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1988 and the Mount Hood Railroad was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 24, 1994.

Mt. Hood Railroad Depot Plaque on June 10, 2009

Historical Photos:
Old Hood River Depot (CGDC)
Old Mount Hood Railroad & OR&N depots, circa 1908 (OSU)
Old Mount Hood Railroad & OR&N depots, circa 1908 (CGDC)
Old Mount Hood Railroad Depot (CGDC)
Union Pacific Streamliner at Hood River Depot, 1964 (CGDC)
Old Mount Hood Railroad Depot (UO)
Old Mount Hood Railroad Depot (UO)
Old Mount Hood Railroad Depot (UO)
Hood River Depot, June 1978 (UO)
Hood River Depot, June 1978 (UO)
Hood River Depot (UO)