Bohn's Printing 1904

The Dalles was experiencing its first severe growing pains when A.N. Bohn founded Bohn's Printing, an organization that for over a century and through four generations, has been closely identified with the progress and development of the city.

The story really begins back before 1900 at Willapa Harbor , Washington , where Mr. and Mrs. Bohn made their home. Their son, Charles L., was born and shortly afterwards Bohn purchased a weekly newspaper at Ilwaco , Washington . There for many years he published the Pacific Journal and made a mark for himself as a journalist.

The Newspaper plant was typical of small weeklies of that day - cases for type that was set by hand, the customary marble encased make-up “stones,” a groaning old flatbed press powered by a gasoline engine. Yet the newspaper that came off the antiquated equipment was outstanding. For with the keen knowledge of what his readers wanted, Bohn selected his assistant editors with care. At one time Samuel L. Simpson held the desk on the Pacific Journal. At another time the editorial pen was wielded by Vance Hutchinson. Both later became nationally known writers.

Disposing of his newspaper in 1903 to political interests at that time deeply involved in a campaign in Washington, Bohn moved his family, now a wife, son and daughter, Hazel, to the Willamette valley. There they remained while he looked around for a permanent location.

Attracted By The Dalles

Although already 50 years old, its ups and downs, disastrous fires and hard knocks history in the Northwest, its ideal location and adjacent natural resources were so great in possibilities that The Dalles was looked upon as one of the up and coming cities of Oregon.

After a year of searching about, Bohn decided to cast his lot with the growing city of The Dalles and in 1904 purchased a dilapidated print shop from a man named Howerth and founded Bohn's Printing.

The first location of the newly established business was upstairs in the Pioneer building at the corner of Washington and Second Streets. The family was settled in rooms back of the printing office. Charles, then 13, started to school and at 16 was playing on the high school football team.

The original Bohn's Printing was equipped with a few cases of dirty type and only one small Pearl press, which, without a throw-off lever was a constant source of danger to hands and fingers. Early day work consisted chiefly of letterheads, business cards and posters struck for itinerant dramatic stock companies. “Hand bills” they were called in those days and they were distributed from door to door by youngsters after school hours.

Expanded in 1907

Piece by piece the antiquated equipment was discarded and new installed. Battered type faces were weeded out and new faces purchased. The business prospered and had expanded to a point where larger quarters were necessary. Bohn moved his plant to the Doan building. He also started construction of a house on Jackson Avenue , today East Ninth Street . At that time the two-story residence, on a bluff overlooking the Columbia , was suburban property. Today it is surrounded by homes.

The year 1917 was eventful in the life of the Bohn family. It saw the marriage of Charles and Lelah Jordan, it marked the passing of both A.N. Bohn and his wife, and also saw Charles enlist for service in World War I.

The year 1921 was another milestone in the life of the remaining Bohns. Charles had returned from service and assumed the place of his father as manager of Bohn's Printing. A son was born - Jordan C. - and the printing plant was moved to 308 Union Street , where it is located today.

Managed By Jordan

Years passed. Under the second generation management of Charles, business showed a steady and substantial growth. Through the years the expanding business added more space and updated equipment, and in 1932 became one of Mail-Well Envelope Company's first dealers outside of Portland . Meanwhile young Jordan had entered grade school, and went on to high school, where he had the advantage of taking a course in printing, which was to lay the ground work for him when in 1939, he took over as the third generation manager of Bohn's Printing. 1951 marked the passing of Charles and then, in 1952 Richard C. was born to Jordan and Marcile Bohn. In 1958 all the printing machinery was moved to the back room at 308 Union and the up-front space became the new department for office equipment and office supplies.

A Fourth Generation

Rick grew up helping out at Bohn's until his graduation from high school in 1971. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent two years at Fort Ord , where he headed the Sills B. Hays Army Hospital Printing Department. In 1974 he joined the family firm working with his father Jordan. In 1986 Richard took over the management position from Jordan and continued to produce and prosper in the business. 1987 saw the birth of a fifth generation Bohn, Edward. Years passed and in 1993 Bohn's Printing became an authorized Konica Copier Dealer for North Central Oregon, now Konica Minolta, adding one more option to our broad scope of services. In the year 2001 Both Jordan and his wife, Marcile, passed away.

Bohn's Printing has evolved from a small printing shop to a complete commercial printer, that also sells office supplies, office equipment, and office furniture. This is the story of Bohn's Printing, work being carried on by sons, World War I, Radio, The Great Depression, World War II, Television, Man on the Moon and the World Wide Web, we credit our success to keeping pace with the ever expanding needs of our community.