Exit 62: Going Home

This is the exit I would take going home off of the I-84 highway. It represents not just my house but the town as a whole, and the entire process of industrialization and colonization.

Before the town was named Hood River, it was named Dog River, and before that it was named Waucoma, meaning "place of big trees." That is actually the name of my favorite bookstore downtown, but I had never known what it had meant before now.

When it was in the processed of being colonized, Wal-la-chin was the chief of the band of people living there. This chief strongly resisted removal, declaring "I have said that I would not sell my country and I have but one talk." At the time in 1855, their tribe was about 1377 people.

With that being said, it is and interesting paradox that this place is a home to me that I cherish, but it was also a home to these people, the Wascoes and other tribes, as well.

I Have Only One Talk: The Dog Rivers Refuse to Remove – The Quartux Journal (ndnhistoryresearch.com)

History - City of Hood River