Historty to some ? Smells like home to me!

Granada Theatre (1929)

When it opened, the Granada was the first theater west of the Mississippi River to feature “Talkies.” Closed in the early 1990’s, reopen in 1996, and was closed again in 2004. The building was recently purchased and will be undergoing remodeling, beginning in 2008. Visitors are welcome to view the Moorish architectural-style exterior of this historic landmark from the sidewalk.

What history will not read is that this little theater was the center of my childhood memories as well as many others in my small town.Which includes my Mother, and Grandmother. We had three movies places in The Dalles when I grew up. The Granada was the only walk in. The other two were The Star Light Drive --In, and the The Dalles Drive --In.The best pizza in town!!!

Columbia Gorge Community College (1929)

Originally built as a a 270 bed hospital for tuberculosis patients, known as the Eastern Oregon Tuberculosis Hospital (1929-1959). In May of 1959 the state converted the hospital to the Columbia Park State Home, which was Oregon’s first institution for chronically ill and geriatric patients. In 1965 it was renamed the Columbia Park Hospital and Training Center; its role was changed to the care of mentally retarded adults. The facility closed in 1977, then sold to Judson Baptist College in the early 1980s. In 1993 it was sold to Columbia Gorge Community College.

I never new this building as a tuberculosis hospital. I new it as a Mental Hospital for most of my life. I volunteered there as a teenager to keep company the many patients that were keep there. The grounds were not fenced, just huge green lawns.

Gitchell Building

Can be viewed from the 200/300 blocks of East First Street ( across the tracks).“The Times-Mountaineer” merged from two previous papers and was the direct descendant of the oldest newspaper in Eastern Oregon, which was published for a while in the Gitchell Building. This was “The Dalles Times,” which traced its lineage to the military paper published at Fort Dalles. The Dalles Chronicle was an upstart, published in competition with the Times-Mountaineer beginning in 1890 and ultimately supplanting it. The newspaper was founded amid a dispute over the city’s water service.

OH this building was so cool. In my teens this was the "Head Shop: where all the incense, posters, India jewelry, and tapestries ect were sold.. I loved going in there it was a magical place. The building itself was very cool as well.!

Historic Ben Snipes Home (1865)




In 1865 Ben Snipes (1835 - 1906), the "Northwest Cattle King," built this house for his bride, Mary. By 1864, Snipes owned more cattle than any other person in the Northwest, with livestock estimated at 125,000 head of cattle and 20,000 horses. In 1958 Snipes was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame's Hall of Great Westerners. In 2004 Alan and Bev Eagy converted the Snipes home into the ANZAC Tea Parlour, complete with its own commercial kitchen.


I never visited this home but I may if I get a chance to get back home..

Wasco Co. Courthouse (1914)

The original Wasco County Courthouse was completed in 1859 and was first located at the intersection of East 3rd and Court Street. This courthouse, seat of government in a county that once was 130,000 square miles,was built in response to a citizen petition. It is one of only two still standing which date back to Oregon Territorial days. The building, which cost $2,500, provided the first county-owned jail and office space. The current county courthouse is the latest of three courthouses. Built in 1914 at a cost of $179,645. Halls are finished with marble and exterior and interior walls are terra cotta tile. The building has been moved many times and today it stands completely restored.

Ah yes, the old Court House, never spent much time in there just went to drop off cigarettes to friends who got in trouble for tickets or DUI ??