The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-08-12
TOURIST INN
TO BE BUILT
SHRINERS PICNIC ON SITE SUNDAY
Al Kader Temple EntertainS Islam. LO-
cal Folk Join Party as Guests
OF Henri Thiele


| A closer relationship and friendship
between Portland and Hood River had
their beginning on the Columbia bluffs
at Wau-Guin-Guin falls Sunday when
Henri Thiele, chef of the Hotel Ben
son, was host for the first time on the
site of tourist hotel ground for which
will be broken Immediately. The oc-
casiOn served a three-fold purpose. The
name of the old Wau-Guin-Guin hotel,
merry with the laughter of apprecia-
tive sightseers for the first time in
decade, became for the day A Kader
Inn, and members of the Portland
Shrine entertained lat members of Is.
lam Temple and their families, of San
Francisco. A large number of guests
of Hood River were present to better
acquaintances with those up from the
metropolis. Mr.. Thiele made of the
event a formal announcement of his
plans for Oregon's 8 first tourist hotel of
an ambitious scale.
That Hood River is now closely linked
with Portland by the Highway was ev-
idenced Sunday in Mr.. Thiele's trans
portation of his provisions here by mo-
tor truck that morning. The big tables
were ready on schedule time and laden
with sumptuous feast, although the
visiting Shriners and their hosts of AL
Kader followed quickly on the trail of
the provision trucks and corps of wait
resses and servers. The belated arriv-
ais scarcely had time for a stroll over
the scenic location of the proposed re-
sort when the stentorian voice of Port
Ia 70 koly hn
call for refreshments. More than $50
were present at the picnic.
The Islam Temple party was en- route
home from a tour of Yellowstone ma
tional park. They were fairly surfeit-
ed with scenery of the Rockies, but
expression of the visitors was fairly
general in an unstinted praise of the
great highway and the scenery of the
Columbia gorge. IL one can conceive
of such thing, Oregon is going to
have some California boosters of Ore
gon scenery when the Islam Shrine
party arrives by the Golden Gate. Not
one but all Of the fraternal guests de-
clared the trip up the Highway the eli.
max of their jaunt. taken especially to
view western American scenery. The
Portland cortege of motor cars left
Wau-Guin-Guin at $3.50 in order that
the visitors might catch their train.
destined to leave the Union station at
s p. m.
Mr.. Thiele states that architects have
already drawn plans for the proposed
hostelry, work on the first unit of
which, structure to be comprised of
40 rooms, will begin at once. The
building will be of succeed concrete
The architecture will conform with the
wild grandeur of the scenic outlook
promontory, covered with native oaks
and shrubs. Phelps creek crosses the
site and leaps in a wild cataract 300
feet to the water level of the Column
bia. The grounds were viewed Sun
day by scores who have visited resort
hostelres of California and Europe, and
all gave praise to Mr.. Thiele in his
choice of site.
1t was made known that the venture
has the financial backing of S. Benson,
beloved in Hood River for the aid he
gave locally in making possible an i'm
mediate realization Of this end of the
scenic highway. AS he was pioneer
in investing his time and money in
bringing about the naturalization of
dreams Of the scenic road, so he is now
ready to pave the way for a new era in
Oregon life, that of the evolution of
the tourist business, by putting his
funds into pioneer hotel. The choice
of the location, it was stated, has Mr..
Benson's s unqualified approval.
The most unique figure of the picnic
was Robert Rand, 85. but looking not
a day over 20, from whom the site
was purchased. For a number of
years up to 10 years ago, Mr.. Rand OPP
Grated tourist hotel at Wau-Guin-
Guin.
But" he declared al, always con-
sidered my little place only a modest
beginning. | have been holding on to
the property waiting for the day when
| could see it turned into the location
of great resort. | knew the time
would come. dreamed of the Colum-
bia River Highway before it was built
/ hate to relinquish Wau-Guin-Guin. for
| love it, but the time for its sale has
arrived, and | am happy.
Its name means rushing waters.
claimed among my best friends Old In
dian George Chinadere, who grew
famed throughout the Northwest as a |
weather prophet. having forecast some
of our deep winter SHOWS. Old George |
gave me the name. Before he was
killed by train here two years ago he |
was accustomed to visit me- Formerly |
he would come and camp near the falls
a. he and | would talk. | remember |
one of his last visits. The Highway |
had been opened He grew prophetic. |
"'This place, he said, as he flour. |
ished his cane, taking in the premises, |
some day goin' to be heap big.
''He spoke truly. | have reserved |
my little home place adjoining the no
tel site. | will grieve when George is
not here with me TO join in greeting /
Mr.. Thiele's first guests to the great |
resort hotel that he is going TO have. "
Following the luncheon, which was /
really full course dinner, such as
might earn compliments for a metro.
politan hotel, Ernest G. Smith, repre-
senting Mayor ScObee. gave an address
Of welcome, to which Mayor Baker re-
ponded. j. A. Uhlrich, chairman Of
the Islam Temple party. gave a talk
Mr.. Rand entertained a party of pio-