Rhs Newsletter 11 2003

History is Happening in Redmond!

The Redmond Recorder November 2003 Vol. 5, No. 9 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: Mondays-Thursdays, 1-4pm

Nov. 8 speaker: Tom Traeger

Redmond Community Cemetery needs TLC

Getting to know Kenmore What do Redmond and Kenmore have in common? European roots for one. Kenmore Heritage Society president Tom Traeger will discuss our similarities and KHS’ work on publishing a community history book. Nov. 8 meeting 2-3:30 pm

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center

No December meeting or newsletter. See you in January!

Oct. 11 speaker: Patrick Hirsch City of Redmond TV journalist Patrick Hirsch shared some of his favorite clips from Point of View, the City’s cable program on Channel 21, as well as items from one of his hobbies: collecting kitsch, some of them well worthy of being declared historical!

Open letter to owners of a pioneer landmark It may surprise many residents that Redmond’s two cemeteries are owned by the world’s largest cemetery company, Service Corporation International. The City in 1997 transferred ownership of the Redmond Community Cemetery, where many of the City’s pioneers rest, to SCI, which also owns Cedar Lawns Memorial Park across the street. At the Redmond Historical Society’s October meeting, many in the audience decried what they feel is a deterioration of the Community Cemetery in recent years. Below is our plea to SCI and to the City:

Readers are urged to let SCI know of your thoughts by calling SCI’s Bruce Armstrong at 425-885-2414. For more about Houstonbased Service Corporation International, check its Web site at www.sci-corp.com

The Redmond Historical Society and many of its members are unhappy about the minimalist caretaking of the Redmond Community Cemetery, where uneven and brown patches of grass, a lack of any benches and challenging walking/wheelchair surfaces make for an unpleasant experience. This is the place where most of our pioneers are buried, and should be a tribute to them. Moreover, in 1999 it was designated one of Redmond’s 16 historic gems. Some locals would like the Community Cemetery back in City control, but in any case we urge SCI to improve the area with: Well maintained grass Benches Continued on Page 3

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History is Happening in Redmond!

Society Business Didn’t get recent newsletters?

Barney Reilly and her Redmond Recollections

Many folks didn’t, and we apologize. The mailing error has been fixed and past issues can be printed/read on our Web site at www.redmondhistory.org. Copies are also at the office. _____________________

Volunteers needed: Overlake bazaar

We’ll be selling Society merchandise at the Overlake Church holiday bazaar on Nov. 21. Call Doris Schaible at 425 823-0562 if you can volunteer for a few hours.

Lawyer

Very occasional review of documents/contracts. Call Miguel at 425 869-9806.

Office staff

Greet visitors, help with small tasks as regular or substitute. Call Judy Lang at 425 823-3551.

Web site:

Back issues of our newsletter are online at www.redmondhistory.org

Membership renewals:

Please don’t forget to renew for 2003. We actually have fewer members so far this year than last year, even with more people receiving this newsletter than ever! Use the form on the back page to renew or to join for the first time.

The Redmond Recorder

The late Loana ‘Barney’ Reilly left behind 16 beautifully detailed watercolor scenes, painted from memory of her youth in Redmond between 1928-1931. Her husband, Mal Reilly, has provided copies to the Society and last September dedicated a temporary display at the Old Schoolhouse. While Barney was unable to finish the 50 scenes she had planned for before she passed away last summer, she did leave behind detailed captions for the 16, which only recently were found. Mal said he’ll be providing those, which are written at a child’s level and include a moral, and even turning the scenes and descriptions into a book. The drawing above shows Barney watching a King County health inspector post a notice that the family home is under quarantine because her brother Lavern Johnson, seen by the door, has scarlet fever. The family home was just across the street from the Old Schoolhouse, where the Methodist Church parking lot exists today. Barney’s parents were Myrtle Duffy and Ernest Johnson. She was born in that house in 1923 and lived there through her school years. The 16 scenes are now in the Society’s office for those wishing to take a look. Mal, who lives in Arizona, welcomes calls to talk about the scenes and Barney’s life. He can be reached at 623 544-1175. 2

History is Happening in Redmond!

Redmondiscing

Dr. Sherwin Shinn, a Society member, has been named Citizen of the Year by the Washington State Dental Association for his volunteer work. He made news headlines when he helped bring a Bolivian boy to Seattle for lifesaving spinal surgery. And he and his wife, Jerri, run the nonprofit International SmilePower Foundation, creating dental clinics in developing countries. We’re all smiles for Sherwin!

Barn lost to development

The barn on NE 116th just west of Avondale has been torn down to make a retention pond for new homes. The Society worked with property owner Leo Fischer and the Woodinville Historical Society to try to save it but learned about it too late. Known as the Beba/Crosby barn, it was painted by Russ Goetschius and used in our 2003 barns calendar.

Redmond Community Cemetery

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Improve vehicle path by making it also accessible by wheelchair. These are basic features for the contemplation and prayer natural to such a site. They are also vital for the mobility of older visitors and those who are physically challenged. The hope is not to duplicate the look at Cedar Lawns, but to restore the Community Cemetery to its previous glory. Members cited the work at Kirkland’s cemetery as an example of proper maintenance. When the City transferred ownership of the Community Cemetery in 1997, one City Public Works employee was quoted by The Seattle Times as saying it was a good thing for the community. Six years later, it’s hard for the Society to believe that.

Nokomis dedication

Web site kudos UW student Winston Lee sent this praise after turning to our Web site for a geography paper on Redmond:

Nokomis members Audrey Gorlick, sitting, and Amo Marr chat with Mayor Rosemarie Ives at the tribute to the group at the Redmond Library last month. Other Nokomi members, as well as library director Bill Ptacek and managing librarian Michele Drovdahl, were among those present.

The Redmond Recorder

“Your website has been a great resource for information for me about Redmond.”

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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 Irish Rosenthal and Lynne Rosenthal Bryan for the excellent photo of Kirkland Shipyards workers, and the old newspaper issues. Tom Hitzroth for his work in the State Archives at Bellevue Community College. Janet Siepmann Moen for photographs of York farm on Willows Road. Charles Payton for his ongoing contributions to our printed archive. Jennie Bryden for news clippings including those of Morey’s Auction, which was once the Saturday night social spot for Redmondites. Morey’s was where Lumberman’s is today on Redmond Way. Lillian Garland for turning her organizational skills to our office. Betty Grospe Thompson for instituting our new collection of the Filipino agricultural heritage in Redmond, which began in the 1920s. Mary Fowler for the handsome card table made by her father Harry Baldwin and Herman Beba in 1950 to raise money for the Phythian Sisters. The table’s top is decorated with Kirkland and Redmond business information. Brad Best for having contributed aerial photographs of the Redmond area as well as information from his scrapbooks. History Mystery Thanks! The mystery house in last month’s newsletter was quickly identified by Violet Elduen and Clara Hammersberg. The farmhouse belonged to Andrew “Andy” McKay, and it is still standing on the west side of the Red Brick Road. Violet grew up next door to the McKays, and when her family moved into their house in 1920, the McKay’s house was already there, so it’s at least 80 years old. Clara’s family, the Archie McSparrans, actually rented the house during the 1930s, while their own house was under construction at the end of the Red Brick Road. In 1939, Frank and Eve Bastian bought the farm and raised their children there. In the last several years, the home has changed hands again, having been purchased from the McKay’s son Billy who lived with and cared for his mother until her death. Now, the vine-covered barn is in a state of collapse. In the photo, a sizeable funeral is in progress with a white flower-covered coffin and a very fancy motored hearse. Violet says the funeral was possibly for Andy’s wife, Eve Batten McKay, who died in 1927 or 1928, and who was thought to have been from a wealthy Seattle family.

History Mystery Photo

The Redmond Recorder

Were you at our Oct. 11 meeting? These folks were:

Becker, Teresa Lang Brulé, Kay Nichols Bryden, Jennie Buckley, Roy Campbell, Sally Coward, Liz Carlson Daly, Sharon Elduen, Violet Emmanuel, Tony Garland, Lillian Gilbert, Evelyn King Goetschius, Millie Goetschius, Russell Gorlick, Audrey R. Guptill, Willow Perrigo Hammersberg, Clara McSparran Hammersberg, Jerry Hammersberg, Tricia Haines, Steve Hardy, Naomi Himes, Chris Hirsch, Patrick* Hitzroth, Tom Ingersoll, Jo Ann Johnston, Amanda Kent, Sharon Bryden Lampaert, Glenn Lampaert, Norma Lampaert, Roy Leicester, Norma Magnuson, Cheryl Malowney, Georgeann Mann, Marge Marr, Clare (Amo) McCormick, Elma McCormick, Nancy McCoskrie, Eileen Moesch, Loran Moesch, Marion Lampaert Munoz, Alexa Piechenick, Shlomit* Rockenbeck, Margy Rosenbach, Patsy Schaible, Doris Standley, Beryl Sween, Faye Thompson, Audrey* Tollfeldt, Anne Tollfeldt, Harvey Torell, Jerry Turner, Judy Gilbert Usibelli, Helen Watts, Wally Weiss, Rose Wiese, Margaret Evers Willis, Colleen Perrigo Tosh *First-time attendees

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History is Happening in Redmond!

History Mystery Photo

A caption written alongside this photo identified it as Redmond’s first school baseball team, circa 1907. The teacher, presumably also the coach, was identified as Mr. Reed in the white shirt, open jacket. Can anyone identify the team? If so contact Miguel at [email protected] or 869-9806.

This notice was published in the East Side Journal but can you guess the year? And notice any typos?

Holiday heritage shopping Looking for holiday gifts? Don’t forget you can buy these at our office: History books Coloring books Postcards Notecards Trivia games Derby Day pins We’ll also be at the Overlake Church holiday arts and crafts bazaar on Nov. 21, 10am-4pm. Admission is free and the church is at 9900 Willows Rd.

Answer on page 6

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History is Happening in Redmond!

History barn at Farrel-McWhirter

Stories, photos to share?

Or a Redmond history mystery that needs to be solved? You can: Send items to our office via US mail , E-mail [email protected] Call Miguel at 425 869-9806 --------------------------------------Trivia Games We’re selling the games produced by Redmond High School students for their marketing club. The history trivia section contains lots of facts that Naomi Hardy contributed. Games are $20 and are available at the Society office, open Mondays through Thursdays 14pm, except holidays. --------------------------------------Redmond ranch mystery answer (from page 5): 1925; The typo: Lampeart should be Lampaert

Have you visited the red barn at Farrel-McWhirter lately? If not, it’s worth a trip to see the display tracing the Hutcheson family history and showing some farm tools. The items are there year-round, and the video produced by the Redmond Historical Society and the Parks Department is shown to groups by request.

Join the Redmond Historical Society

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) ... $ 250.00 History Maker (Lifetime).$ 1,000.00 All Contributions are Tax Deductible

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:

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