"June 23, 1908, was a big day for the people who resided in the northwest slice of Wasco County in Oregon, for it became its own entity as Hood River County. Very small in area by western standards, the county has only 533 square miles in which to conduct its business and is the second smallest county in Oregon. Majestic Mount Hood, named by its British discoverers in 1792 for Lord Samuel Hood of British admiralty, lies mostly within the county's boundaries. Sparsely populated at the time of formation, there were not enough financial resources available in Hood River to build a courthouse, so government services were provided from an old schoolhouse until 1937. At that time, still lacking resources to build a courthouse, the county bought the former Butler Bank building to house government offices until a new courthouse was finally built in 1954. This little county has made ingenious use of its natural resources during the past century, providing a year-round influx of money into the economy as a result. Agriculture, especially fruit, and hydroelectric power are mainstays, but Hood River county also relies on a year-round supply of recreational opportunities to fuel the economy."