Hood River County
The historic Columbia Gorge Hotel at Hood River. (Photo No. hooDA0030)
Contact
County Seat: 601 State St., Hood River 97031-2093
Phone: 541-386-3970 (General); 541-386-3535 (Court Administrator)
Fax: 541-386-9392
Web: www.co.hood-river.or.us
About
Population (2009): 21,725
Established: June 23, 1908
Elev. at Hood River: 154'
Area: 533 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 33.6° July 72°
Assessed Value: $1,529,314,874
Real Market Value: $3,403,320,580
Annual Precipitation: 30.85"
Economy: Agriculture, food processing, forest products and recreation
Related resources
History
Historical
Records Inventory
Scenic
Image
Economic
Information (from OBDD)
"County
Quick Facts" (from U.S.
Census Bureau)
County
Seat Map (from Yahoo!
Maps)
County
Map (from ODOT)
Incorporated cities
Cascade
Locks | Hood
River
Points of interest
Bridge of the Gods, Cloud Cap Inn, Mt. Hood Recreation Area, Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Lost Lake, Panorama Point, Hood River Valley at blossom time
History and general information
The first white settlers in Hood River County filed a donation land claim in 1854. The first school was built in 1863, and a road from The Dalles was completed in 1867. By 1880, there were 17 families living in the valley. Hood River County was created in 1908 from Wasco County.
Agriculture, timber, lumber and recreation are the major sources of revenue and industry. Fruit grown in the fertile valley is of such exceptional quality that the county leads the world in Anjou pear production. There are more than 14,000 acres of commercial orchards growing pears, apples, cherries and peaches. Hood River County also has two ports and two boat basins, with one serving local barge traffic, a steel boat manufacturing firm and Mid-Columbia yachting interests. Windsurfing on the Columbia River is a popular sport and attracts windsurfers from all over the world.
County officials
Commissioners—Karen Joplin 2012, Maui Meyer 2013, Les Perkins 2013, Ron Rivers, Chair 2015, Bob Benton 2015; Dist. Atty. John Sewell 2013; Assess./Clerk Brian Beebe; Justice of the Peace Cindy Mitchell 2015; Sheriff Joe Wampler 2013; Surv. Randy Johnston; Treas. Sandra Borowy; Co. Admin. David Meriwether