Rhs Newsletter 05 2004

History is Happening in Redmond!

The Redmond Recorder May 2004 Vol. 6, No. 5 Redmond Historical Society Our mission: To discover, recover, preserve, share and celebrate Redmond’s history 16600 NE 80th St, Room 106, Redmond, WA 98052 425-885-2919 www.redmondhistory.org [email protected] Office hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1-4pm, or by appointment

President’s Corner

May 8th Meeting: th Often I hear friends say, Our 5 Birthday!

“I wish I had asked my mom or dad, grandfather, or friend, what Join us for cake and “Redmond, Back in the life was like way back when.” Day” -- stories and Some of us have even gone so photos shared by longfar as to actually put photos time residents Jon into albums and label them. Or Magnussen, Joanne maybe you took 8mm movies, Jeppesen and James but now there isn’t a working Robinson. projector to even show them. What I am getting at is oral histories as a way of preserving our past along with pictures. This is what we are about at the Redmond Historical Society, collecting stories that tell what it was like living in our community of Redmond. We would like to add your story to our collection. And it doesn’t have to be your entire life story either. We all have a story to tell and quite often it is interesting to others. I’m going to share one now, but of course it isn’t about my family or me. I too haven’t written that one, but will someday. My friend Marge Hanson and I were driving down Avondale Way. She lived in that area during her school days. She was pointing out who lived where since apartments have now taken over the hillside. As we passed Bear Creek she reminisced about the good old days when the creek would flood and then freeze over. Larry Nelson, Marge and Marge’s sister Brenda Mouw decided to all jump on the ice to see if they could break it. Well, Marge says, guess who was the only one to jump? You guessed it, Marge, and she ended up wet. This doesn’t sound so funny as I type it out, but Marge and I sure had a good laugh and it brought back some of those “good old days” memories. Hope to see you at our next meeting. Someone will be there to share a story that can spark a memory and you just might see someone you haven’t
seen  in awhile.   

The Redmond Recorder

Slough House Park Rising From the Ashes?

Photo by Miguel Llanos Rubble from the Slough House Park rambler lies behind Dudley Carter's “Wek Wek and the Holukmeyumko.”

A fire on April 19 ravaged the Slough House Park rambler where the late artist Dudley Carter once lived. King County, which operates the park, had already planned to raze the rambler two days later and finished the job as part of a long-delayed transfer of the park to the City of Redmond. That transfer is still in the works, but hopefully recent events have lit a fire under King County Parks. The City plans to gradually open the fenced-off park to the public, beginning with citizen input to determine what kind of use is suitable. Neither Dudley’s artwork nor his art studio were damaged in the fire but the studio in particular is deteriorating and has had squatters living inside. 1

History is Happening in Redmond!

Redmondiscing… 2004 Meetings All @ 10:30 am Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center 16600 NE 80th St. Second Saturday each month May 8 Sept. 11 June 12 Oct. 9 Nov. 13 _________________________

2004 Executive Board Judy Lang, President Naomi Hardy, VP Miguel Llanos, VP Teresa Becker, Treasurer Margaret Wiese, Corresponding Secretary Beryl Standley, Recording Secretary Board of Directors Roy Buckley Terri Gordon Tom Hitzroth Larry Hoger Amo Marr Doris Schaible Veronica Smirnov

No Monday Office We’ll be closed Mondays until we can find a volunteer. If interested contact Judy Lang at 425-823-3551.

Volunteers Needed Saturday Market We have a monthly booth starting and need help staffing for 2-hour shifts. Contact Miguel at 425-869-9806 or [email protected]. Videos, oral histories Transfer videotapes to CDs; taping oral interviews. Call Judy Lang at 425-823-3551.

The Redmond Recorder

“At the Foot of Union Hill” Clara McSparran Hammersberg has written an account of farm life on Novelty Hill Road. It’s rich in the details that bring history to life. Several examples: The siding on the outside of the house was what we refer to as drop siding. There was no sheeting or tarpaper under the siding. The sheeting on the inside was shiplap, which was 1” x 8” T&G (tongue & groove). Felt paper was then glued onto that, and then wallpaper. Each time you redecorated, you put on another layer of wallpaper. Eventually it would come loose from the ship lap and form a bubble in the wall. In the evening you could sit and watch the mice run up and down the wall between the layers of paper. We didn’t have television to watch so it was good entertainment. The hot water tank stood behind the old cook stove in the kitchen. If the cook stove wasn’t burning, there was no hot water. The water was piped through the firebox in the cook stove. You had to be careful that the water tank didn’t get too hot. It would build up steam and could break. When you heard the water tank gurgle and rumble, you knew it was time to turn on a hot water faucet and let out some steam. We kids took a bath in the kitchen beside the old cook stove in a galvanized washtub. The tub was about 15 inches deep and 30-36 inches in diameter. The oldest child bathed first, and on down the line agewise. I was fortunate. I was number two child. The youngest always bathed last because you never knew what he might leave in the tub. After bathing, the water was used to water plants or scrub the floor with. Later, Dad found an old galvanized bathtub with the paint wore off. Upstairs he divided off what could have been a closet and plumbed the tub in up there so we no longer had to sit in the washtub to take a bath. We bathed once a week. Our heads were washed in the kitchen sink once a week. When we first moved there, the land was virtually unusable. It was covered with stumps, trees and brush. To clear the land Dad and Mom used hands, horses, dynamite and a gas-driven donkey, which was a wench. After the large stuff was removed, we all went to work picking up sticks and rocks. The sticks were put on a fire pile and burned. The rocks were placed on a sled pulled by a horse, and put in a pile some place other than in the middle of the field. It didn’t make any difference how old you were, everyone went out and helped. Susie Neslund Simmons writes: This paper (Redmond Recorder) means so much to me. I’ve been gone for 35 years -- now so many of the names I don’t recognize. But every now and then an old friend pops up! Especially wonderful was our 6th grade picture in the last issue. There I th am – 4 L in 2nd row, Clara (Hammersberg) right behind me. We hope to make a visit again this summer. I see the golf links and think of Jane and Johnny Graham from years gone by. Please say hello to Roy Buckley for me ... I think of him and his family so often. Thanks for all your work. Continued on page 3

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History is Happening in Redmond!

~In Memoriam~ Bob Bailie

Bob, seen here with photographer Chuck Lee at a February 2002 Redmond Historical Society meeting, passed away on March 24 at the age of 84. He founded the Sammamish Valley News and always pushed for local improvements, like Hartman Park baseball fields, the Redmond High stadium and the annexation of Education Hill. A charter member of the Redmond Lions Club, Bob was the first and greatest of Redmond historians.

Georgia Erskine

Redmondiscing… Continued from page 2

Katherine Forgue Barker writes: I enjoyed reading the article … written by Barney Reilly, “My Friend the Indian Princess.” Edweena Forgue (Dwenar Louis/Louie/Lewis) was my mother, a Snoqualmie tribal member, she is also of Duwamish blood. She was born at Monahon near Lake Sammamish in 1898. My father was a Yakima tribal member and of French Canadian blood from Quebec. He was born at White Swan on the Yakima reservation in 1895. Mother and her brother Kelley Louis (Lewis/Louie) were raised by their Grandmother Maly (Mary) Louie, who was born at Tolt, now called Carnation. She later moved to Lake Sammamish. This is where my mother was taught all about the plants, trees and their medicinal uses. Dad and Mother were married the 31st of August, 1916, in Seattle. They raised 10 children, four sons and six daughters, who all attended the old brick schoolhouse in Redmond. It holds a lot of memories, not only classmates but the teachers also. Members of our family had many of the same teachers through the years of living in Redmond. Remaining are Norma J. Eddy of Olympia, Katherine Barker of Monroe, M. Arlene Mullen of Issaquah, Vione Thrasher of Everett and Mary Anne Hinzman of Duvall. My husband Bill and I enjoy reading your history on Redmond. It jogs our memories of our past and living and growing up in a small town. Keep up the good work, we enjoy it. Katherine Forgue Barker 4480 Tolt Ave. PO Box 280 Carnation, WA 98014 Bob Baxter of Bellingham called inquiring about the Bastian’s farm. The only address he gave was 196th NE and he mentioned Marymoor as well. He asks that anyone with information about the farm e-mail him at [email protected].

A founder of the Redmond Saturday Market in 1976, Georgia passed away Jan. 15 at age 87. After joining the Navy as a WAVE, Georgia was a Bellevue kindergarten teacher from 1956 until her retirement. Recently, she had been doing personal genealogical research in order to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Redmond Recorder

Regarding our March issue’s query about the Stitch In Time building on Leary, Vivian Crosby Robinson tells us that she and her husband Ronald moved to Redmond in 1946, and that for years she was fairly certain that the building was a private home. A pleasant woman, who was quick with a smile and devoted to her flower boxes, was frequently seen there. Tax records show the building was originally built as a one-story apartment building, but perhaps by 1946 a single family resided there. Anyone know more about this? If so, contact Naomi Hardy at 425-883-3866 or [email protected].

A Reil pun: Naomi Hardy relays that for decades after he served as Redmond’s first mayor, Fred Reil [pronounced ‘real’] liked to say, “I’m the only Reil mayor our town has ever had!”

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History is Happening in Redmond!

Who’s this Mystery Man?

If you know, please contact Naomi Hardy at 425-883-3866 or [email protected].

Remember When? Can you guess when this card was sold in our town? Answer on page 6.

Hint: This donated card was written to a Carl Anderson of Seattle. The author’s name is not legible but he or she includes this: “No danger of my flirting too much – just once in a while. Have been out here so long it will soon be time to turn city ward.”

Nokomis Get Grant in Honor of Audrey Gorlick The Nokomis women’s service club will be able to help even more Redmond High students go to college now that it’s got $10,000 more in the bank. That’s the amount of a new scholarship grant donated in honor of Audrey Gorlick, 99, by her grandnephew, Richard Hersh, and his wife, Jeanne, of Sherman Oaks, Calif. “This will allow Nokomis to continue to assist worthy Redmond High graduates for many more years,” said Amo Marr, president of the Nokomis Club. Audrey is both proud and happy that the Nokomis, the oldest women’s service club in the state, can continue to be active as it nears its 100th birthday. Richard Hersh, who is a Hollywood talent agent, said the decision was an easy one: “We’re very happy to be able to continue this scholarship program that is so important to our aunt and our entire family.”

Cemetery Map Now at Regional Archives Once the Society made digital copies of the Old Redmond Cemetery map in its possession, board member Tom Hitzroth donated the original hardcopy on the Society’s behalf to the Puget Sound Regional Archives. They will be preserved in a climate controlled area. The Society also provided the Archives with the maps on CDs for researchers to view that way. By the way, the Society board unanimously decided to recognize the cemetery’s historic name, Old Redmond Cemetery. This is in contrast to the more current labels attached, such as Redmond Community Cemetery.

The Redmond Recorder

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History is Happening in Redmond!

Thank Yous! A heap of historical thanks to these great people for donating treasures, expertise, time and energy to support our mission! Marge Mann for all her volunteer time at the office. She’s off to live near her kids in Oregon. Marge, in photo at right, received a certificate of appreciation from President Judy Lang at the April 10th meeting. We’ll miss you Marge, and thanks too for your parting donations: your mother’s flour sack and meat grinder! Euclid LaBrie for donating the Assistant Fire Chief coat Larry Hoger for scanning the Lions Club collection Margaret Evers Wiese and Marge Mann for our archive of obituaries James Robinson for the six 8x10 photos of beautiful old barns Tony Emmanuel for the Gossard Lumber bag Chip Davidson for his April 10th talk on Lake Washington and the Sammamish Slough Margo Alexander for the homemade treats at the April 10th meeting Sassy's Tea House & Boutique for donating the April 10th door prize The King County Community Development Authority for the $1,000 sustained support grant for 2003

From the East Side Journal Oct. 28, 1926 The Redmond Recorder

Were You at our April 10 Meeting? These folks were: Alexander, Margo Marr Becker, Teresa Bruneau, Bernadine Bruneau, Pierre Bryden, Jennie Call, Mardy Costello, Marjorie Stensland Crag, Julia* Davidson, Chip* Dudley, Gordon Dudley, Irene Emmanuel, Tony Garland, Lillian Goetschius, Russ Gorlick, Audrey R. Goshorn, Jean Etta Hahnlen, Charlotte Everson Hansen, Tom Hardy, Jerry Hardy, Naomi Ingersoll, Jo Ann Jovag, Pat Weiss Kent, Sharon Labrie, Euclid Lang, Judy Leicester, Norma Llanos, Miguel Magnuson, Cheryl Magruder, Joan* Mann, Ellie* Mann, Marge Marr, Clare “Amo” Marrs, Carl Marrs, Pat Martin, Daryl Montgomery, Mary Moses, Jerry* Moses, Vicki* Muñoz, Alexa Schaible, Doris Shults, Avis* Standley, Beryl Sween, Faye Tollfeldt, Anne Tollfeldt, Harvey Torell, Jerry Truss, Colin Truss, Pamela Vallene, Arlyn Weiss, Rose Westlund, Joanne Wiese, Margaret Evers *First-time attendees

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History is Happening in Redmond!

Old Town Walking Tours Tom Hitzroth launches his stroll along Leary Way and its history in May. Sign up now, as each date is limited to 10 people. Tom uses jokes and trivia to make it lively. Dates: May 23 June 20 Time: 1:00 to 2:30 Cost: $6 How to signup: E-mail Tom at [email protected] Or call office at 425-885-2919

Postcard date from page 4: It was postmarked on July 20, 1914.

Newsletters via E-mail and off our Web Site More than 700 people receive our free monthly newsletter, but success has its price: It’s expensive for the City, which mails out hardcopies in exchange for Society research time. As a result, we’re asking everyone with Internet access to receive it either via e-mail or our Web site at www.redmondhistory.org If you try it and it doesn’t work on your end, you can always go back to U.S. Mail. If you have Internet access, please send us an e-mail message at [email protected] stating that you’ll try out the new system. By the way, our electronic newsletter has some clear advantages: 1) The photos are much sharper, and newer ones are in color. 2) You can save the digital version on your computer. 3) Digital versions can easily be searched by keyword. 4) You can easily forward a copy along to a friend or relative.

Join the Redmond Historical Society Please pay 2004 dues ASAP!! And help discover, recover, preserve, share and celebrate Redmond’s history! Levels of Membership (Check 1 only)

Trailblazer (Student) ............... $ 5.00 Pioneer (Individual) ............. $ 20.00 Homesteader (Family) ......... $ 35.00 Entrepreneur (Supporter) ... $ 200.00 Corporate (Business).......... $ 250.00 History Maker (Lifetime) $ 1,000.00 All Contributions are Tax Deductible

Please make checks payable to: Redmond Historical Society Mail To: Redmond Historical Society Attn: Membership ORSCC, Room 106 16600 NE 80th Street Redmond, WA 98052

Name__________________________________________________ Phone ______________________ (Please print your name exactly as you would like it to appear on your name tag for general meetings.) Address _____________________________________________ City _______________________ St ________ Zip _________________ E-Mail Address ________________________________________ Birth Date (MM/DD/YYYY) __________________________________ If Family Membership, other names to be included: _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like a short, one-liner on your name tag (e.g. Charter Member, or Pioneers Since 1903), enter it below:

The Redmond Recorder

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