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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Issue 3 - Renton In 1955.pdfThe Twilight Zone on exhibit Sept. 8 at RHM. President’s Report by Stefanie McIrvin, Board President. Public Engagement Report by Colleen Lenahan. Museum Report by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Director. S ixty years ago, Renton was ready to take off as the modern city it has become. The Boeing Co. was launching the jet age and wartime government restrictions on the economy and housing had been lifted, resulting in a second wave of explosive growth for the city’s population and construction. Second-term Mayor Joe Baxter, City Council, City staff, and Renton residents were prepared to shape and control the growth in ways that suited local needs. In so doing, they created the Renton we know today. 1954 had already been an extraordinarily busy year, with total construction valued at a record $2.65M, so Rentonites predicted continued strong growth at the dawn of 1955. The liquidation of Renton Housing Authority houses built during WWII had been underway for some time, and City officials knew to expect numerous major construction projects, of businesses and residences. The local paper reported that “construction is expected to zoom skyward[,] with the construction of the new J. C. Penney store and the million- dollar-plus high school physical education plant and cafeteria.”1 New construction led the way for Renton’s improvement in 1955. Long-term business owners were Also In This Issue... RENTON HISTORICALSOCIETY & MUSEUM Fall September 2015 Volume 46 Number 3 The TW IILGHTZONE Juried Art Show Sept. 8- Nov. 25 You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone! The TW IILGHTZONE Juried Art Show Sept. 8- Nov. 25 You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone! Continued on page 5 2 4 83 RENTON IN 1955 A Modern City Takes Flight QUARTERLY by Elizabeth P. Stewart 2 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM THE TWILIGHT ZONE ART SHOW We’ve all had our minds entangled in the mystery of the great American classic “The Twilight Zone.” The Renton History Museum presents The Twilight Zone Art Show in order to bring this timeless show to life through art. Guest curated by Mary Clymer, the show features local Pacific Northwest Coast artists. Join us September 10th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the opening of this show. Winners, selected by a jury, will be announced and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. From SEPTEMBER 8 To NOVEMBER 25 REP. ADAM SMITH VISITS THE MUSEUM! The TW IILGHTZONE Juried Art Show Sept. 8- Nov. 25 You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone! The TW IILGHTZONE Juried Art Show Sept. 8- Nov. 25 You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone! As part of “Invite Congress to Visit your Museum” Week, an American Alliance of Museums (AAM) national initiative, Rep. Adam Smith visited the Museum during the House of Representatives’ August recess. Rep. Smith and his aide, Patrick Chiarelli, took a quick tour of the Museum and had a behind-the-scenes chance to view our Charles W. Sanders Collection of 844 glass plate negatives. Congressman Smith, a NEW MERCHANDISE The Museum has adopted a new logo and branding design, and now we’ve also updated the merchandise available in our gift shop. We know you’ve been waiting for a museum t-shirt and we are happy to announce that there are now new t-shirts available! We have adult sizes S-XXL and children’s sizes S-XL. The kid’s shirts have the new logo emblazoned across the front, and the adult shirts have the main logo on the back and our new initials on the front. history-lover, represents the 9th District of Washington state and his district office is located right here in Renton. We appreciate his support! We also have ceramic mugs for sale, as well as postcards and note cards with Renton scenes, the only selection in town. Be sure to stop by and pick up your new Renton History Museum swag! FALL QUARTERLY, 2015 | 3 MUSEUM REPORT QUARTERLY Fall 2015 Elizabeth P. Stewart Director On June 6th we hosted a more interactive kind of Annual Meeting. After five years under our Museum Master Plan, we wanted to see how you’re enjoying the many changes we’ve made, so we designed a series of activities to get you talking. Over forty people participated in activities with us. We promised we’d report back on what we learned from you, so here we go… Members participated in three different activities to share their thoughts with us. First, in keeping with our current Furry Friends exhibit, members shared their favorite memories of their pets, current and past. Next, participants had the chance to build shoebox exhibits around different Renton themes, “The Most Important Day,” or “Summer in Renton,” or themes of their own. Finally, in small groups members gave us their feedback on programs, exhibits, and other activities—what you liked and what didn’t work as well. The feedback we got about the meeting itself was overwhelmingly positive. People enjoyed moving from table to table, sharing life experiences, and making things with their hands. At the Furry Friends station, one gentleman told the story of meeting his future wife while walking their dogs in the park. Another recalled a story her mother told about a Thanksgiving turkey, and said she’d love to hear more animal stories in general. Participants also took the activities more or less seriously; one exhibit-builder used the shoebox to depict dinosaurs attacking Renton. One member liked that the usual Annual Meeting speeches were kept to a minimum, and everyone appreciated the opportunity to get to know other members. Members didn’t hold back when sharing what they liked and did not like about the Museum’s new programs. Under the Master Plan we’ve been offering more changing exhibits, more collaborative partnerships with Renton organizations and individuals, and more projects that combine history with art, photography, music, and natural history, to make sure that people with all kinds of interests have a reason to visit. Everyone remembered the Bigfoot is Probably Real exhibit, with its giant Sasquatch model, and the way it appealed to children and families. Others liked our Native American- themed programs, like talks by Barry Herem and the Johnny Moses art exhibit. Even those who like their history more pure recognized the need to broaden our audience and win new converts over to local history. Finally, we got many new ideas to think about: an exhibit about Renton’s churches; Renton Artifact Day, in which we would charge participants a small fee to get information about family heirlooms; more curator talks about our temporary exhibits. We’ll be thinking about all this feedback as we plan for the future—we’re always excited to hear your ideas! by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Museum Director Renton Historical Society trustees enjoy members’ shoebox exhibits, created at the June Annual Meeting. RENTON HISTORICAL QUARTERLY Sarah Samson Graphic Design & Layout Karl Hurst City of Renton Print & Mail Services RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Stefanie McIrvin, President Kim Sweet, Vice President Laura Clawson, Treasurer Elizabeth P. Stewart, Secretary Alice Stenstrom, 2016 Lisa Wivag, 2016 Vicki Jo Utterstrom, 2017 Betsy Prather, 2018 Vinod Waghamare, 2018 MUSEUM STAFF Elizabeth P. Stewart Museum Director Sarah Samson Collection Manager Colleen Lenahan Public Engagement Coordinator Laurie Lent Office Aide RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM 235 MILL AVENUE S RENTON, WA 98057 P (425) 255-2330 F (425) 255-1570 HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm ADMISSION: $3 (Adult) $1 (Child) A popular exhibit theme is “Cruising the Loop”—if only we had photos and artifacts! 4 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I hope you all have been able to stay cool in this crazy heat we have experienced over the last several weeks. While our hot summer weather doesn’t seem to be letting up any time soon, the Renton Historical Society Board of Trustees is looking towards fall, not only for some much needed, much deserved cooler weather, but also as an opportunity to host a new kind of fundraiser. As many of you know, and have probably attended, the Historical Society has traditionally hosted an annual dinner auction each fall. The fall fundraiser is extremely important, because the money raised supports the operations, programs, and staff that are the heart and soul of the Museum. Without these funds the Museum would have a very difficult time keeping its doors open. While the auction has been successful each year, one of the main goals of the Board is to make the Historical Society more visible and accessible to the community. When we were approached by Gene Sens, owner of The Red House restaurant, to partner with him on a project, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try something new. The Red House itself is a very historical building, originally built in the 1920’s as a boarding house for railroad workers and coal miners. Gene is currently renovating the upstairs portion of the building to make it more open and inviting. As part of that renovation, he will be hanging historic photos provided by the Historical Society as an off-site exhibit and homage to the rich history of our community. To that end, our new fall fundraiser is entitled “The Renton History Museum and The Red House: A History-Making Party.” We will celebrate the Red House’s Grand Re-Opening with snacks, drinks, live music, raffle prizes, and a good old-fashioned bake sale, with all proceeds going to support the Museum’s mission of preserving and educating about our city’s rich heritage. The event will be open house-style, from noon to 6:00pm on Sunday, October 4, 2015. Reservations are $25 per person, and you can reserve your place now on the Brown Paper Tickets web site. It will be a great chance to see The Red House’s new look, hang out with friends, and support Renton’s only heritage organization. We hope you can make this exciting, new event and enjoy our efforts to bring history off-site. by Stefanie McIrvin, President UPCOMING EVENTS TALES THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT! October 31 11:00 am-12:00 pm Storyteller Anne Rutherford presents a selection of stories and songs to celebrate Halloween. Come in costume for a chance to win small prizes! LIVING VOICES PRESENTS: NATIVE VISION November 14 1:00-2:00 pm In honor of Native American Heritage Month, join us for “Native Vision,” the story of a young Navajo girl who is taken from her home and placed in a government-run boarding school during the 1930s. The Red House in Downtown Renton on Burnett Ave S. Stefanie McIrvin President ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: SCI-FI MOVIES AND THE COLD WAR CULTURE OF THE 1950S October 20 5:30-7:30 pm Local film critic Robert Horton examines the underlying political and social anxieties that resulted in the alien-invasion scenarios of 1950s science fiction films. FALL QUARTERLY, 2015 | 5 ready to invest again and national chains also identified Renton as the place to be. The downtown Renton J. C. Penney had been in the same location at 715 Third Avenue South since 1928; now the chain department store broke ground on a new and improved store, on the north side of Third Avenue next door to the Woolworth’s. (Woolworth’s had just opened its first self-service store in the state in Renton in 1954.) Together these two stores remade the block of Third Avenue South between Wells and Williams, modernizing it by removing a few small wooden shops and Williams and Swanson Oldsmobile and Chevrolet dealers, which had kindly moved across the street to make room. People’s Bank and Bartell’s Drugs also opened new locations in downtown Renton in 1955; late in the year Macy’s Apparel found a location at 229 Wells for a discount store. Puget Sound Power & Light announced plans to relocate its central district offices to a new $2M building right outside downtown Renton.2 A U.S. Department of Commerce business census showed that retail sales in Renton grew 49.1% between 1948 and 1954, and local entrepreneurs were ready to take advantage of that by investing more.3 Nick Jorgensen, Continued from page 1 Cover photo: Bartell Drugs, J. C. Penney, and Woolworth’s all located in downtown Renton in 1954 or 1955. (RHM# 2002.001.5878) Lily Hedberg, 4th from left, worked her way up from salesgirl at Frederick & Nelson to opening her “dream” women’s wear shop, Renton Mercantile, in 1955. (RHM# 2002.032.4401) RENTON IN 1955 6 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM proprietor of the Towne House Restaurant for sixteen years, opened his “dream” restaurant at 209 Williams, designed as a meeting space for local civic organizations. Lily Hedberg, too, took the chance in 1955 for her “dream” business, opening Renton Mercantile in the old People’s National Bank building. Frank Tonkin improved his menswear store in downtown, the Toggery, and Hayden Williams and Frank Rhodes expanded and improved their auto dealerships.4 Renton “can’t help but grow[,] for all of the essential elements to insure expansion are sitting here already,” the Renton Chronicle editorialized. “The expansion has been gradual and there wasn’t any particular beginning, except when the community got flooded by an influx of defense-plant workers during the war.”5 In 1955 new orders for the Boeing Co.’s first commercial jet, the 707, promised new jobs and new residents for years to come. In March Boeing signed a contract with the Air Force for a 707 jet prototype, and by October Pan American World Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Eastern Airlines all had orders in.6 Because of these orders, the company planned to spend $1M “to prepare Renton Municipal Airport for the jet age,” with new runways and jet blast fences.7 Airport Manager William Gebenini boasted that “the plans being made by Boeing Airplane Co. will make the local [air]port one of the best equipped jet bases in the Pacific Northwest.”8 The Boeing Co. was characteristically close-lipped about future employment, but City officials knew that with orders pouring in for the Renton-produced 707s, they could Renton businesses were as thrilled about the advent of the “jet age” as Boeing was. (Renton Chronicle, 17 October 1955) Construction of the Renton High School new gymnasium/ cafeteria was the largest of the school building projects in 1955. (RHM# 2011.042.188) FALL QUARTERLY, 2015 | 7 expect a huge influx of new workers. While exciting, the expansion was not without pain, however. Although Renton High School’s combination cafeteria-gymnasium would help accommodate the high school-age children of Boeing workers, the Renton School District knew that an even bigger bubble was right behind them. District administrators began planning to rectify the school overcrowding that was already sneaking up on them. “Although $5,500,000 poured into educational facilities in the Renton School District between 1942 and 1955,” the local paper reported, “administrators recognize that they can’t stop now and consider their accomplishments with smug satisfaction.”9 The School District had plans for nineteen elementary schools, three junior high schools, and one high school; twelve were “pretty complete,” including the new McKnight Middle School, by mid-1955. City Council requested a mid-cycle census, to ensure Renton schools would receive their fair share of state and federal funds, and District administrative aide (later Facility Director) Rudolph Seppi was assigned to oversee the many new school construction projects. Seppi anticipated affordable housing concerns of today when he added teacher housing to his list of concerns.10 But schools were not the only concern as the population grew in 1955; the prospect of an increasing Boeing workforce also made residents wonder if the state’s planned highway 2-A project—now known as I-405—would be adequate. A new Williams Avenue bridge and the widening of the Park Avenue North “bottleneck” were already underway in the winter, but by April City Council was discussing one-way streets as a way to move traffic through downtown Renton. Councilmember George Swift, chair of the Street and Alley Committee, insisted that “the original townsite was constructed so that the only answer to the traffic congestion are [sic] one- way streets.”11 One month later Council had given tentative approval to the plan to make Second, Third, and Downtown cross streets one-way, but public nervousness pushed the conversion back to January 1956.12 A massive train collision on July 4th in Downtown Renton helped underline the need for greater attention to traffic safety. Two freight trains collided on the Northern Pacific Railway tracks at Seventh and Burnett, “like a clap of thunder.” The engineer and fireman were killed and three other railway workers were injured; miraculously, no pedestrians were hurt. Both engines were traveling at 15 mph, “considered fast in a restricted space established for switch-yard operations.”13 Besides the influx of Boeing workers and the close proximity of trains and people, there was yet another reason for Renton’s concerns about traffic: Cold War fears of an H-bomb attack. Evacuation planning demonstrated that, pre- 405, Renton’s arterials would be swamped with South Seattle refugees in the event of an evacuation order. “Rentonites Get 10 Minutes to Escape Flight of S. Seattle’s H-Bomb Evacuees,” warned a Renton Chronicle headline, and Renton’s Civil Defense Team set about preparing Rentonites for the feared atomic bomb attack.14 The 1955 installation of a NIKE missile Continued on page 10 The Northern Pacific train collision at Fourth and Burnett on the Fourth of July in 1955 killed two and injured three. (RHM# 2001.077.5713) 8 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that after nearly two years here as your Public Engagement Coordinator, I have decided to take a position at another museum and leave the Renton History Museum. Often, in life, we are faced with difficult crossroads, finding ourselves staring down two uncertain paths and trying to decide what is right. In this stage of my life and my career, it is right for me to try this new opportunity. The aspect of the Museum I will miss most is the people: my coworkers, the board, the amazing volunteers, and the visitors that come to the Museum to learn and be inspired. In light of my imminent departure, I thought it would be fitting to reflect on and share some of my favorite moments from my time at the Renton History Museum. MY 5 FAVORITE MEMORIES Global Heat, February 8th, 2014: This was the first big event that I had a hand in organizing, at a time when I was still pretty new to the job and Sarah was out on maternity leave. The thrill of seeing the gallery packed with visitors of all ages for this experimental program still inspires me. It was exciting to see the gallery used in a way it had never been used before and to see break dancers against the backdrop of our glowing Roxy sign. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REPORT by Colleen Lenahan, Public Engagement Coordinator Installing Pioneers, Professionals, and Politicians: Groundbreaking Women from Renton’s Past, Early June, 2014: This exhibit was a labor of love many months in the making, so I was ecstatic to see how impressive it looked in the gallery, with the mannequins displaying clothing from the three sections (great idea, Sarah!). We let off some steam near the end of the installation process by having an impromptu photo shoot with the mannequins before they got dressed up in our historical garments. Dinner Auction, October 15th, 2014: Undoubtedly my proudest moment during my time here occurred at the Museum’s annual Dinner Auction last October. During that event, I had the privilege to watch and hear three of my RenTeens speak about what their experiences with the Museum had meant to them. Tears of pride filled my eyes as these incredible young people spoke eloquently (and more bravely than I could have done at their age!) to a room full of adults. Working with the RenTeens has been incredibly rewarding, and I will miss them terribly. Volunteer Trip to Tacoma, April 18th, 2015: It was a clear, blue day, and I got to accompany a group of volunteers to Tacoma to take advantage of the free admission offered to them at other museums during National Volunteer Week. As we toured an exhibit about Mount St. Helens at the Washington State History Museum, they told me about their experiences living through that event, giving intimate, personal insights into this major event. It was a special day shared with special people, and one I will always remember. Pet Fair, July 25th, 2015: The whole process of planning and executing the Pet Fair was new to me and to the Museum, so nobody had a clue whether it would work or not. In the end, we had eight great organizations participate, including Petco and the Seattle Animal Shelter, and almost 300 people stopped by during the four hours we were open. Even the bloody knee I got from rushing around trying to get everything ready that morning couldn’t stop me from feeling good about how the day went. Colleen at the Pet Fair during Renton River Days, 2015. Colleen Lenahan Public Engagement Coordinator Colleen and the mannequins during the installation of PPP, 2014. FALL QUARTERLY, 2015 | 9 MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS May 2, 2015 - August 12, 2015 Lindy Aliment John & Eleanor Bertagni Darlene Bjornstad & Bill Anardi Don & Carmel Camerini Ed & Mary Jean Cooks Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Sarah Jane Hisey Betty Sipila Rachel Thomas Wayne Armstrong Don & Carmel Camerini Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Eileen Monaghan Austin Marilyn Ragle William O. “Bill” Belmondo Don & Carmel Camerini Angelina Della Rossa Marilyn Ford Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Attilio & Jean Franceschina Don & Pearl Jacobson Marcia Langdahl Richard & Judith Lucotch James Mano Peter & Hazel Newing Mario & Victor Tonda Fran Tsue Wayne & Janet Wicks Robert & Gilda Youngquist Kathleen DuBois Bohm Hazelle L. DuBois Virginia Shook Busato Hazelle L. DuBois Tim Chinn Hazelle L. DuBois Ron Dengel Gene & Linda Aitken Don & Carmel Camerini Shirley Custer Charles B. DuBois Hazelle L. DuBois Elizabeth Swales DuBois Hazelle L. DuBois Jack Grieve John & Marsha Nissen Marina Zilli Luckey Patricia Yothers Donald McCready Linda Mathewson Aitken Laverne McDonald Mead Darlene Bjornstad & Bill Anardi Margaret “Bunny” Parker Anonymous Shirley Reynolds Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Al Ricketts Don & Carmel Camerini Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Bea Sherrick Wendell & Cleo Forgaard John & Marsha Nissen Wayne & Janet Wicks Robert Warren Smith George & Frances Subic Pat Monaghan West Marilyn Ragle Roy M. Yothers Patricia Yothers MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE Edna Sipila Allen John & Marsha Nissen William O. “Bill” Belmondo Golf Buddies – Bob Aliment, Greg Watts, Jim Belmondo, Bill Belmondo Gerry & Mary Marsh Doug & Debbie Smith Terri & Bill Briere Linda Mathewson Aitken Margaret “Bunny” Parker Dalpay & Associates King & Bunny’s Appliances Michael Lee Schmidt Ronnie Eugene Schmidt GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS Connie Baker John & Eleanor Bertagni Jeffrey Conner Louise George Jean Hobart Pauline Kirkman Claudette Lorimor Jack Morrison Barbara Nilson David Pickett GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE Dorlene Bressan Glenn Garrett Denis Law Kim Sweet MATCHING GIFT CONTRIBUTION Glenn Garrett Boeing Matching Gift Program David Pickett United Technologies Matching Gift Program NEW MEMBERS Ray & Sara DuBois Glenn Garrett Marsha Nissen Louise Prescott Dennis Sipila Lynnett Stevenson Carol Ann Witschi GIFT MEMBERSHIP DONORS John & Marsha Nissen In July we found a solution to our ongoing landscape challenge at our offsite storage. By partnering with Seattle Tilth’s Just Garden program, we were able to get volunteers to help us build and install MUSEUM PARTNERS WITH SEATTLE TILTH a raised garden bed to grow food for the Renton Rotary- Salvation Army Food Bank. We also hosted a series of Just Garden organic growing classes for new gardeners. Thanks, Seattle Tilth! IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS EARLY RENTON NEWSPAPERS WANTED! Do you have any old Renton newspapers hiding in your attic or in a trunk in your closet? The Museum is in desperate need of Renton newspapers that date 1927 and earlier. Newspapers provide a vital look into Renton’s past! Please consider donating any early newspapers you have. 10 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM site seven miles southeast of Renton made a plan seem even more urgent.15 Like today’s emergency preparedness movement, civil defense organizers recommended that “preparation, both physically and mentally, for the shock of an H-Bomb attack is…the best safeguard for saving thousands of lives.”16 Renton’s Civilian Defense group—Commander Floyd Lawrence, Police Capt. E. W. Isackson, and Police Lt. Clarence Williams—took an even more pro-active approach, enlisting the assistance of Renton’s PTA to go house-to-house, surveying families about their evacuation transportation needs. The team’s complex plan involved bussing school students to meet their parents at a reception center in Ravensdale in the event of an emergency.17 While H-bomb evacuation plans were not a long- lasting result of 1955, I-405 was; when state highway project 2-A was added to the federal interstate highway system, thanks in part to lobbying by Mayor Joe Baxter and Renton City Council, the construction schedule and land acquisition sped up. Other 1955 projects raised the bar on Rentonites’ expectations. The Liberty Park swimming pool, started in 1955, only lasted in that location for about fifteen years, but it helped Renton residents recognize the benefits of recreational opportunities for children. One result of the new attention to recreational needs was the deal that preserved the last available parcel of undeveloped Lake Washington waterfront for a future beach and park later named for then-Superintendent of Parks Gene Coulon.18 The events of 1955 demonstrated Renton’s determination to take charge of its future, whether enlisting volunteers to organize a civil defense plan, or working with the Boeing Co. for airport improvement, or lobbying at the state and county level to ensure that the needs of Rentonites were considered. Rentonites’ actions in 1955 not only remade the landscape and the streetscape, they left a legacy of city improvement, intentional use of waterways, and recreational amenities that we care for today. Continued from page 7 ENDNOTES All articles listed are from the Renton Chronicle. 1 “Shane is First Builder in ‘55,” 6 January 1955, p.1. 2 “Hub City Growth Realized in W-S Expansion,” 20 January 1955, p.1; “New Peoples Bank to Open Here Saturday,” 16 May 1955, p.1; “P.S.P.& L. Plans $2,000,000 Project; Puget Power Will Build Offices Here,” 14 July 1955, p.1; “New Penney Store Opens Today,” 22 September 1955, p.1; “Renton’s New Look--Progress Downtown,” 12 September 1955, sect. 2, p.6; “Macy’s To Open New Store Here at Friday Rite,” 15 December 1955, p.1. By December Puget Power had downsized its new building to $500,000. “Puget Power Begins Construction Project,” 1 December 1955, p.1. 3 “Retail Business Up, Census Count Shows,” 15 December 1955, p.1. 4 “Hub City Growth Realized In W-S Expansion,” 20 January 1955, p.1; “Towne House Open Thursday,” 28 March 1955, p.1+; “Dream of a Lifetime Comes True, Lily Hedberg Opens New Store,” 22 Sept 1955, sect. 2, p.1; “Renton’s New Look—Progress Downtown,” 12 September 1955, sect. 2, p.6; “Triple Star Event for Renton Shoppers,” 15 September 1955, p.1. 5 “Renton’s New Look—Progress Downtown,” 12 September 1955, sect. 2, p.6. 6 “Big Payroll; 6,800 Workers in Renton’s Boeing Plant,” 10 March 1955, p.1; “Renton Plant to Build 707 Jets for Civilian Use,” 17 October 1955, p.1+. 7 “Boeing Prepares City Airport for Jets; Plant Gets Set for Building of Stratotankers,” 23 May 1955, p.1+. 8 “Boeing Prepares City Airport for Jets; Plant Gets Set for Building of Stratotankers,” 23 May 1955, p.1+. 9 “Defense Industry Worker Increase Boosts Responsibility of Schools,” 10 March 1955, sect. 2, p.5. 10 Jack Fleming, “Looking into the Crystal Ball… Educators Weigh Plans to Meet Growth of Student Population,” 13 January 1955, sect. 2, p.1; “City May Ask for 1955 census at state’s request,” 20 January 1955, p.1; “Dedication For McKnight Set in Gym on March 25,” 14 March 1955, p.1; “Rudolph Seppi Serves as Liaison Agent, Helps in Plotting Future,” 14 April 1955, sect. 2, p.1. Ironically, the census revealed a disturbing loss of population in the Highlands, from the Renton Housing Authority’s sale of war surplus housing. “Population Slump Threatens Economy of City,” 23 June 1955, p.1. 11 “One-Way Street Pattern Under Study,” 28 April 1955, p.1. 12 “Hearing Set on 1-Way [sic] Streets; Council Gives Tentative Okeh [sic]on Initial Plan,” 19 May 1955, p.1; “Council Seeks Public Opinion on Downtown One-Way Street Plan,” 2 June 1955, sect. 2, p.3; “Painters Draw Signs Early in 1-Way-Grid Plan,” 24 October 1955, p.1. 13 Jack Fleming, “Railroad, ICC Begin Probe of July Disaster,” 7 July 1955, p.1+ 14 “Code for Survival! Rentonites Get 10 Minutes to Escape Flight of S. Seattle’s H-Bomb Evacuees,” 27 January 1955, p.1. 15 “Army Will Install New Nike Weapon Site near Renton,” 31 March 1955, p.1+; “Nike Site Tightens Defense Web; Lake Young Project Near Completion,” 31 June 1955, p.1+. 16 “Code for Survival! Rentonites Get 10 Minutes to Escape Flight of S. Seattle’s H-Bomb Evacuees,” 27 January 1955, p.1. 17 “Civilian-Defense Team to Devise Extensive Escape Route through Renton for H-Bomb Evacuation,” 20 January 1955, p.1; “Code for Survival! Rentonites Get 10 Minutes to Escape Flight of S. Seattle’s H-Bomb Evacuees,” 27 January 1955, p.1; “P-TA Sets Evacuation-Transportation Survey,” 18 April 1955, p.1; “Evacuation Map Helps Citizens Find Route,” 10 November 1955, sect. 2, p.2. 18 “City Gets Own Lake Washington Beach,” 5 May 1955, p.1; “Park Designer Urged for Beach Site,” 9 May 1955, p.1. Rentonites were inundated with instructions about evacuation in the event of an atomic bomb attack. (RHM# 2000.127.1579) FALL QUARTERLY, 2015 | 11 Join your friends at The Red House’s Grand Re-Opening benefiting the Renton History Museum. Enjoy snacks and drinks in the best Red House tradition, as well as raffles and a good old-fashioned bake sale. It’ll be a great opportunity to learn more about the Museum and Renton’s history, while indulging your appetites! Reservations cost $25.00 and are available at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1905531. Make your donation now! To learn more about our fundraiser, please read Board President Stefanie McIrvin’s letter on page 4. The Red House is located at 410 Burnett Ave S in Downtown Renton. On OCTOBER 4 from 12:00-6:00 PM Renton Historical Society 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425.255.2330 Fax: 425.255.1570 Email: estewart@rentonwa.gov rentonwa.gov/rentonhistorymuseum Renton Historical Society 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425.255.2330 Fax: 425.255.1570 Email: estewart@rentonwa.gov rentonwa.gov/rentonhistorymuseum MEMBERSHIP FORM Please select a membership level: Individual $30 Student/Senior $20 Family $40 Benefactor $75 Patron $150 Business/Corporate $175 Life membership $750 Basic memberships Sustaining memberships Name: Address: Phone: Payment information Visa or MC #: Exp. date: Signature: Please make checks payable to the Renton Historical Society. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation! Your donations help us provide new exhibits and exciting programs. Donation: $ HISTORY-MAKING PARTY The Renton History Museum History MakingParty The Red House RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM 235 Mill Ave. S Renton, WA 98057 These little girls entered their dolls in the Renton Highlands Administration Building’s Doll Show in 1955. (RHM# 2004.005.101) IN HINDSIGHT...