Not long ago someone asked what books on the SVRy might be out there. Several of us posted answers, but there was one book not mentioned that I had heard of, but did not acquire until last weekend. The Title of the book is "Switchback to the Timber" by Clem Pope, or the updated version that I acquired which is "Mount Hood Railroad Centennial-A Special 100th Anniverary Edition-100years of Continuous Service -1906-2006" which is updated to the present. The updated portion being written by Jack Mills who is one of the present owners. I purchased the book at the Mt. Hood Railroad depot gift shop. The original work by Mr Pope while written to convey the history of OLC's opertation at Dee and the Mt Hood RR, is probably about 75% appropriate for someone interested in the history of the SVRy and OLC/Stoddard at Baker and Bates. The book goes into great depth with regard to David Eccles rise to financial sucess and delves into his founding of OLC, SVRy and the Mt Hood. The book takes the reader through the turmoil caused by David Eccles unexpected death without a will and the subsequent formation of the David Eccles Co. which was a holding company that owned OLC, SVRy and the Mt. Hood. Pope provides a lot of information on some of the other ventures of this company such as it's brief creation/ownership of the Oregon American Lbr. Co. The book has the best background information I have encountered with regard to what was going on financially behind the scenes with all three of these companies. Emphasis is especailly given to OLC including detailed infomation on it's near financial collaspe in the 30's which of course impacted both of the rr's, the rise of court sanctioned trustee AC Lighthall to Pres. of the companies and his eventual ownership of all three. Pope carries the story forward through the sale of OLC and SVRy to Edward Hines Lbr.Co. in the mid 50's and then the eventual sale of the Mt. Hood to UP.
The more you learn of the companies behind SVRy, the more you realize that to understand as much as possible about the SVRy, you have to consider OLC and the Mt. Hood as well. For example you find in the book officials of SVRy going to Hood River to sort out various problems there. You find that WH Eccles, David's brother (whose lumber company's name "WH Eccles Lbr" has been continuously on the side of our Heisler through 91 years and several changes of ownership) was president of the Mt Hood RR for quite a few years. We also know that at least a portion of the record keeping for the Mt Hood was carried out at S Baker. Also in a conversation I had with a fellow whose family had worked on the SVRy B&B crew, I learned that this crew also traveled to Hood River to do bridge maint. My point being even if you are "narrow minded" the Mt Hood's history and the SVRy's are all wrapped up together.
