Our Roots: Serving the Upper Hood River Valley

The Mt. Hood Town Hall has always been the center of its community — first as a school and later as a thriving community center. For nearly 100 years this dear old building has served us well.

1914 – 1961

  • The Mt. Hood School was designed and built by Lou Baldwin. Completed in December of 1914, it cost only $4,850.
  • The school originally had only two rooms but was expanded in two additions until it reached its current size.
  • Francis Rose, a teacher at the school, and the student’s mothers organized the first school hot lunch program in the valley.
  • The building served as an elementary school from 1915 until it was closed due to district consolidation in 1961.
  • The building was privately owned by the Dougherty’s and served as a church until it was bought by the Hood River County Board of Commissioners in 1973.
  • The purchase of the Mt. Hood School was meant to provide a social gathering place and community center for upper Hood River Valley residents.
  • A volunteer association formed to administer property management duties for the county and the building’s name was changed to the Mt. Hood Towne Hall.

1962 – Present

  • Since 1962, the Mt. Hood Town Hall has served as a community center for the Upper Valley and has been maintained by a volunteer Board of Directors.
  • In 2004 we entered a phase of extensive renovation, thanks to the help of some very dedicated volunteers and the support of the local community and area grantors.
  • Along with huge improvements in the building, which has made it possible to host many new activities and classes, there has also been a need to improve and re-organize the policies and procedures and the functioning of the Board of Director to meet the responsibilities, liabilities, and expenses of the growing Community Center.
  • The Town Hall is growing! We have recently hired part-time help for cleaning and security and also received a grant for “Technical Assistance” to help us write a business plan and build the foundation for financial stability. With this plan we will be able to apply for grants to possibly hire a building administrator.
  • The goal of the present Board of Directors is become self-sustaining, with support of fund-raising, by the 100th anniversary of the building in 2014.