Recollections of Summer Hop Picking
By Adam Bihn
I have been asked to give a picture of times past in the days of my youth in and around the hop fields.
One morning, while driving from Portland to Eugene through the Willamette Valley, my thoughts turned to those days of harvesting hops, and our involvement.
As I recall, notices of employment were sent out annually for pickers. Provisions were to be made for registration and transportation to the various hop fields designated. Upon receiving confirmation of hiring and acceptance, a time period of picking up personal luggage for transportation to a railway station was made at a prescribed date.
Now begins the exciting times of our trip to the valley.
One morning, while driving from Portland to Eugene through the Willamette Valley, my thoughts turned to those days of harvesting hops, and our involvement.
As I recall, notices of employment were sent out annually for pickers. Provisions were to be made for registration and transportation to the various hop fields designated. Upon receiving confirmation of hiring and acceptance, a time period of picking up personal luggage for transportation to a railway station was made at a prescribed date.
Now begins the exciting times of our trip to the valley.
Volga Germans hop picking in the 1920s. Photographs courtesy of Kimberlee Henkel-Moody.
The prescribed morning would arrive and we were taken to the Oregon Electric Railway Station. Upon arriving at the station, there were the cars, all bright and gleaming, awaiting the passengers from various neighborhoods, especially ours, at which time the order was given to load. We found our seats and settled down, awaiting the sound of the bell and the horn of the lead engine.
Hop pickers boarding Oregon Electric trains at the Jefferson Street terminal near Front Street, circa 1920. Posted on Portland History and Memories Facebook page. Source unknown.
What an exciting feeling as the cars head south through the central West side of Portland and down to the main spur along the Willamette River and the southward bound through the valley, destination West Salem, Oregon.
Volga Germans hop picking in the 1920s. Photographs courtesy of Kimberlee Henkel-Moody.
Upon arrival, we disembarked and boarded the various large flatbed wagons, moved by two horses each, to the many grounds at which we selected our (pardon the name given) “shanty’s”.
Provisions were given, such as straw for filling large sheets for beds. The beds were just large enough for two, three, or four.
Mornings would come, and upon arousing, we would eat breakfast, and away we would go, walking if the field to be picked was nearby and by wagon to more distant fields.
Mornings were cool, but when noon came, we stopped for a bite of lunch that was always prepared ahead of time. Afternoons were, at times, not as cool.
Provisions were given, such as straw for filling large sheets for beds. The beds were just large enough for two, three, or four.
Mornings would come, and upon arousing, we would eat breakfast, and away we would go, walking if the field to be picked was nearby and by wagon to more distant fields.
Mornings were cool, but when noon came, we stopped for a bite of lunch that was always prepared ahead of time. Afternoons were, at times, not as cool.
Postcard of a Willamette Valley hop field from the collection of Steve Schreiber.
Picking would begin from the bottom upwards until the hops at standing height were no longer available. At that time, voices shouting, “Wire down!” would be heard. One or two men would arrive, lowering the wire to clean the upper portions of the vine.
I also recall the camps being somewhat near the Willamette River, allowing us to go swimming as Mother would give us permission, that is, after picking five baskets until noon.
Evenings, after supper, were given to conversation and to those who were somewhat musical and instrumental talents. There would be singing of songs from those times, and oh yes, “Down by the Old Mill Stream.”
Sanitation was also available, such as the familiar chick-sales (outhouses), aroma to some, while to others horrendous.
The time for picking usually consisted of three to four weeks. Some folks would hold out to the end, while others would leave sooner due to the school hours lost from the day school began.
The best of times were always had upon returning to our home, which meant returning to our normal lifestyle and a comfortable bed.
I also recall the camps being somewhat near the Willamette River, allowing us to go swimming as Mother would give us permission, that is, after picking five baskets until noon.
Evenings, after supper, were given to conversation and to those who were somewhat musical and instrumental talents. There would be singing of songs from those times, and oh yes, “Down by the Old Mill Stream.”
Sanitation was also available, such as the familiar chick-sales (outhouses), aroma to some, while to others horrendous.
The time for picking usually consisted of three to four weeks. Some folks would hold out to the end, while others would leave sooner due to the school hours lost from the day school began.
The best of times were always had upon returning to our home, which meant returning to our normal lifestyle and a comfortable bed.
Source
Written by Adam Bihn (May 1999) and used with his permission.
Adam Bihn, Jr. was born in Portland on March 24, 1913, to Adam Sr. and Katherine Elisabeth Bihn. Adam Sr. was born on April 22, 1886, in the colony of Beideck (Russian name: Talovka) but was raised and educated in the colony of Norka. Katherine Elisabeth was born on December 17, 1885, in Norka. Adam Sr. and Katherine Elisabeth married in Portland. Adam Sr. migrated to the USA in July 1906.
Adam Jr. served in the United States Army during World War Two and was stationed in Guam. On February 22, 1936, he married Helen Lind. His parents owned the Lincoln Park Grocery Store, and Adam and his brother Donald operated the store after his parents died. He worked at the store until he retired at age 74. Mr. Bihn was a longtime member of the Word of Life Community Church (formerly the Evangelical Congregational Church, originally known as the Second German Congregational Church). Adam Bihn, Jr. passed away on February 14, 2007, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 93, and he was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 1997.
Adam Bihn, Jr. was born in Portland on March 24, 1913, to Adam Sr. and Katherine Elisabeth Bihn. Adam Sr. was born on April 22, 1886, in the colony of Beideck (Russian name: Talovka) but was raised and educated in the colony of Norka. Katherine Elisabeth was born on December 17, 1885, in Norka. Adam Sr. and Katherine Elisabeth married in Portland. Adam Sr. migrated to the USA in July 1906.
Adam Jr. served in the United States Army during World War Two and was stationed in Guam. On February 22, 1936, he married Helen Lind. His parents owned the Lincoln Park Grocery Store, and Adam and his brother Donald operated the store after his parents died. He worked at the store until he retired at age 74. Mr. Bihn was a longtime member of the Word of Life Community Church (formerly the Evangelical Congregational Church, originally known as the Second German Congregational Church). Adam Bihn, Jr. passed away on February 14, 2007, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 93, and he was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 1997.
Last updated January 24, 2024