Guide to the Arthur M. Prentiss Collection, c. 1923

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Prentiss, A. M. (Arthur M.)
Title
Guide to the Arthur M. Prentiss Collection
Dates
c. 1923 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 cubic foot, (1 box)
Collection Number
OLPb050PRE
Summary
A collection of exterior and interior photographs by Arthur M. Prentiss of the Columbia Gorge Hotel c. 1922, and assorted papers relating to the Columbia Gorge hotel c. 1923
Repository
Lewis & Clark College, Special Collections and Archives

Aubrey R. Watzek Library
615 S. Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, OR
97219
Telephone: 5037687758
Fax: 5037687282
archives@lclark.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection has no restrictions and is open for research.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a historic hotel in Hood River, Oregon, United States. It was built by Simon Benson, who was involved with the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway construction project. Benson envisioned a hotel at the end of the highway, and completed the Mission style hotel in 1920. The new hotel was built on the site of the previous Wah Gwin Gwin Hotel, built in 1904.

The photographer Arthur M. Prentiss was an American photographer born c. 1865 and died c. 1940. Some of his photos are part of the Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Collection held in the Library Of Congress and most of his work was developed in Oregon. Prentiss worked in the principal photography studios of Oregon between 1913-1922. In 1913, Prentiss joined the Weister Company. In 1917, he joined Benjamin A. Gifford, the most famous photographer of Oregon at that time, creating Gifford-Prentiss Inc. The Gifford and Prentiss Studio was located on SW Washington between Twelfth and Thirteenth Street in Portland and lasted until Gifford retired in 1920. In 1922 Prentiss acquired Weister's Studio and negatives. Arthur M. Prentiss principal studio, as a single professional photographer, was in 45 Fourth Street in Portland Oregon. Prentiss is known for producing views of the Construction of Highways in Oregon including the Columbia River Highway and John Day Highway. Prentiss also documented the life and works of people of Oregon.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

A collection of photographs and papers relating to the Columbia Gorge Hotel located in Hood River, Oregon. The photographs from this collection are bound in a single volume labeled from the photographer, Arthur M. Prentiss of Portland, Oregon. The photographs in this collection depict the Columbia Gorge Hotel from various viewpoints from the outside, including its gardens, stone pathways, and adjacent waterfall. Additionally there are several photographs of the interior of the hotel including the reception, lounge, dinning, kitchen, and guest room areas. Finally there are two photographs depicting the Hotels basement areas including its generator and plumbing systems. Most photographs include a photographer’s negative number superimposed onto the bottom left or right corners.

In addition to the bound set of photographs this collection includes a non dated original Columbia Gorge Hotel pamphlet which includes photographs taken from this collection, as well as a copy of the Travelers Bulletin, dated November 1923 which includes a cover photograph taken from this collection in addition to a review and description of the hotel and its accommodations. Also included in this collection is a typed seven page financial manuscript of the Columbia Gorge Hotels expenses from May 1st 1923 – October 31st 1923.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish, exhibit, broadcast, or quote from materials in the Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections requires written permission of the Head of Archives & Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

The Arthur M. Prentiss Collection (OLPb050PRE), Lewis & Clark College Aubrey Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections, Portland, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in a single box.

Location of Collection

Special Collections

Acquisition Information

Purchased by Lewis & Clark College in 2011.

Processing Note

Processed in 2011.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Arthur M. Prentiss Photograph Portfolio , c. 1922Return to Top

23 photographs : Portfolio ; 11 ½” X 8 ½”

From the Portland, Oregon studio of Arthur M. Prentiss, c. 1922, one bound 11 ½” X 8 ½” photograph portfolio containing 23 sepia toned photographs measuring 9 ½” X 7 ½” each.

Description Dates
Photo 1: Columbia Gorge Hotel front driveway, and entrance gate
Photo 2: Front Driveway
Photo 3: North path walkway garden, and pedestrian bridge
Photo 4: Front driveway ,and stone car bridge
Photo 5: Front driveway, and stone car bridge
Photo 6: Front drive path, and turnaround
Photo 7: Front and west parking lot
Photo 8: South front main entrance, and covered drive way
Photo 9: Rear drive path, pedestrian walkway and waterfall overlook
Photo 10: Rear garden path, and waterfall
Photo 11: North side river garden, stone pedestrian bridge, and walking path
Photo 12: Stone car bridge, front gate (rear), and walking path
Photo 13: East side stone pedestrian bridge
Photo 14: Interior lobby and reservation desk
Photo 15: Lounge with fireplace, showing entrance to dining room
Photo 16: Small lounge (the Blue Room) with two writing desks
Photo 17: Main dining room
Photo 18: Porch dining room with garden windows
Photo 19: Guest room with fireplace
Photo 20: Main kitchen area
Photo 21: Side kitchen area wash station
Photo 22: Generator
Photo 23: Pluming system and pump

Columbia Gorge Hotel Pamphlet, c. 1923Return to Top

Four-page bi-fold pamphlet ; 4” X 8”

Non-dated, c.1923 printing of a four-page bi-fold pamphlet for the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Pamphlet contains a description and history of the Columbia Gorge Hotel, amenities offered by the hotel including tennis courts, and croquet grounds, as well as the planned construction of golf links. Descriptions of the lobby, lounges, dining areas and rooms are accompanied with photos taken from this collection.

In addition to information on the Columbia Gorge Hotel the pamphlet contains a single page “Scenes along the Columbia River Highway”, a photo montage and description of the area’s natural and manmade tourist attractions accompanied by photographs by Prentiss and Gifford.

The Travelers Bulletin: Portland, Vol. 3, Novenber, 1923Return to Top

Newspaper ; 10 ½” X 14”

Official monthly publication of the Travelers Benefit Association and the Oregon and Washington division the Travelers Protective Association. Editor and Publisher, Clyde Evans.

The Travelers Bulletin contains a front page photograph of the Columbia Gorge Hotel with text descriptions taken from the Columbia Gorge Hotel Pamphlet and subsequent Prentiss photographs. Also included in the Travelers Bulletin is a review of the Columbia Gorge Hotel detailing both the description and privileges of the hotel as a quality hotel located among the beautiful scenery of the Columbia River banks.

Columbia Gorge Hotel Statement, October 31 1923Return to Top

Report ; 8 ½” X 11"

Dated October 31st 1923. A seven page typed manuscript prepared by R. H. Thomas of Portland, Oregon detailing the Columbia Gorge Hotel’s assets and liabilities for six months beginning on May 1st 1923. Included are detailed accounts of all revenue and expenses for the hotel including but not limited to revenue generated from the hotel’s restaurant, and cigar stand.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Columbia Gorge Hotel (Hood River, Or.)

Personal Names

  • Prentiss, A. M. (Arthur M.)--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Columbia Gorge Hotel (Hood River, Or.)

Geographical Names

  • Hood River (Or.)
  • Portland (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs