No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 Issue 2 - Renton's Fire Station No. 1 at 75.pdfA History Of Renton in 75 Objects upcoming exhibit. President’s Report by Alexis Madison, Board President. Programs Report by Kim Owens, Public Engagement Coord. Museum Report by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Director. The history of Renton’s Fire Department began with an emergency women’s fire brigade, quickly mustered in 1899 to fight a blaze started by sparks from a North Pacific train traveling down Walla Walla Avenue (now Houser Way). By 1903 Jack Pritchard, Jim Flynn, and Joe Wood Sr. had organized the Renton Volunteer Fire Department into a more formal firefighting force. Chief Wood took over as Fire Chief in 1906 and served until his retirement in 1932. One of Chief Wood’s first accomplishments was to obtain an official charter from the City in 1908 that obligated municipal funds for a station and equipment for the subsequent fifty years. After this Fire Department charter was signed, the City provided a space for a station in a wooden building that also housed the first City Hall on Wells Avenue between Second and Third Streets. When the new brick City Hall was built in 1923, the fire station also got a more substantial home. By the mid-1930s, however, the Renton Volunteer Fire Department was sorely in need of facilities that would meet the needs of a growing population. The Great Depression made new construction impossible until 1939 when the City figured out how to tap into Pres. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal for federal dollars. Also In This Issue... RENTON HISTORICALSOCIETY & MUSEUM Summer June 2017 Volume 48 Number 2 Continued on page 5 2 4 83 QUARTERLY RENTON'S FIRE STATION NO. 1 AT 75 by Elizabeth P. Stewart 2 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM Come relive poignant moments in Renton history illustrated by 75 iconic artifacts and photographs from our collection. Curated by a team of University of Washington Museology graduate students, 75 Objects brings some crowd favorites out of storage and back into the limelight. They will be exhibited alongside newer acquisitions on display for the first time! Featured stories include the Duwamish, coal mining, WWII, Longacres, Roxy Theatre, and Triple XXX root beer. From MAY 30 to JANUARY 20 KING PARKER 1939-2017 King Parker, a retired Councilmember and longtime Museum supporter, passed away on May 2. He founded King and Bunny’s Appliances, “home of the Whammer Deal,” in 1982 and served three terms on the Renton City Council, including as Council President in 1999. King was the classic example of a community- minded man: involved in as many nonprofits as he had time for, and always ready with a smile and words of encouragement. As a founding SPECIAL KING CO. GRANT Councilmember Reagan Dunn awarded the Renton Historical Society a special grant of $2500 this spring to assist with the costs of programming to accompany our recent Sorting Out Race exhibition. The Museum organized its largest calendar of events associated with one exhibit ever, including a performance by CryOut!, book talks by Dr. Marcia Tate Arunga and Anu Taranath, a series of productions by Living Voices, a panel discussion, and opportunities for dialogue. These programs member of the Renton Community Foundation, a Communities in Schools mentor, and a Renton Technical College board member, he left an enduring mark on the Renton community. aimed at exploring ongoing struggles with issues of inclusion in our very diverse community. We are very appreciative that the King County Council was able to assist in this series of conversations! SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2017 | 3 MUSEUM REPORT QUARTERLY Summer 2017 Elizabeth P. Stewart Director I n April and May the Museum hosted a traveling exhibit, Sorting Out Race, that was a game-changer in terms of opening up the museum as a safe space for community dialogue and engagement. Created by the Kauffman Museum in North Newton, Kansas, Sorting Out Race uses thrift store donations to explore racial and ethnic stereotypes and their effects. Some of this was tough to look at; these every-day objects—toys, advertising, party goods, even food packaging— depicted the ugliest of stereotypes: the “pickaninny,” the “lazy Mexican,” “Aunt Jemima,” and Native Americans in feathered headdresses. The exhibit led visitors through the origins of these misconceptions and demonstrated how they put people in boxes that threaten to make them less human. These stereotypes are everywhere and they populate our minds with dumb ideas about people we don’t know. We don’t want to think about these images, never mind talk about them, and yet we must confront them to come together as a stronger, more just community. Working with a diverse advisory committee, we developed a schedule of programs to support Sorting Out Race that would provide opportunities for education, dialogue, and, yes, some fun. These programs offered visitors the chance to learn about other people and to question their own assumptions. But Rentonites took these opportunities even further. We hosted special visits by Renton High School sophomores; teens from CryOut! Studios; Radiant Covenant Church; The Next Curve; the City’s Communications and Human Services Divisions; and the Mayor and all City Administrators. We were amazed by the people who gave of their time to help make this conversation successful: Diversity Consultant Benita R. Horn, Police Chief Kevin Milosevich, Native Education Program Liaison Tommy Segundo and his students, and Pastor Michael Thomas, among many others. All this is to say that we have been incredibly gratified by the response to this exhibit. Visitors shared with us their very personal “aha” moments and commented on the exhibit itself. “So relevant and necessary for today,” wrote one visitor. “I knew racist stereotypes were a thing,” wrote another, “but to see everything here all at once, I’ve realized just how pervasive these stereotypes & depictions are & how harmful they can be.” I hope you had a chance to be a part of the Sorting Out Race initiative, but if not, we hope to offer many more thought- provoking programs and exhibits in the future. This exhibit demonstrates that Renton History Museum has an important role to play in these vital community conversations. by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Museum Director Curator Sarah Samson with KUOW's Jamala Henderson. Both KUOW and KNKX featured Sorting Out Race and our companion exhibit Renton High School Indians...A history of a name on air. RENTON HISTORICAL QUARTERLY Sarah Samson Graphic Design & Layout Karl Hurst City of Renton Print & Mail Services RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Alexis Madison, President Betsy Prather, Vice President Laura Clawson, Treasurer Antoin Johnson, Secretary Jordann McKay, 2018 Don Hunsaker III, 2019 Lynne King, 2019 Patricia Carroll, 2019 Colleen Lenahan, 2020 Elizabeth Stewart, Board Liaison MUSEUM STAFF Elizabeth P. Stewart Museum Director Sarah Samson Curator of Collections & Exhibitions Kim Owens Public Engagement Coordinator 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 "Undoing Racism in Renton" panel discussion in April. 4 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE H appy Summer! The Renton Historical Society holds its 2017 Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 8 this year. This meeting is a wonderful time to learn about the museum’s 2016 accomplishments, meet new board members, and learn about our exciting exhibit A History of Renton in 75 Objects. This year the Renton Historical Society introduces two new trustees to the RHS board: Colleen Lenahan and Patricia Carroll. Colleen was the Renton History Museum’s Public Engagement Coordinator in 2013 – 2015. Colleen’s knowledge of museums, non-profits, and marketing has been a great asset to the board. The other new board member, Patricia Carroll, has been a longstanding volunteer, member, and contributor to the museum. Patricia has volunteered for the last eight annual fundraisers for the Renton Historical Society. We are lucky to have these two individuals volunteer their time to support the museum! Also a part of the annual meeting program is honoring the recipient of the 2017 George and Anne Lewis Custer Award. The museum gives the George and Annie Lewis Custer Award for Heritage Citizenship annually to recognize extraordinary accomplishments in the documentation, preservation, or education about Renton’s unique history. The award is meant to honor and encourage efforts to put history at the center of our community’s life. This year’s George and Anne Lewis Custer Award winners are Dave and Monica Brethauer, who purchased the old Woolworth’s building (formerly Renton Western Wear) in 2013 and immediately began the process of rehabilitating the building, but with the express desire to preserve the historic look of the exterior. Their hard work put the Cortana building on the 2015 National Register of Historic Places. Another exciting event that will be happening this year is the 2017 History-Making Party Silent Auction and Dinner, our annual fundraiser that will be held on Tuesday, October 17th at the Renton Senior Activity Center. At this event you will be entertained by Aunt Dottie and have the opportunity to watch local artisans create and display their work. Tickets will be available online in August—we hope you will attend! The money raised at the auction will help support programs, activities and exhibits at the museum throughout the year. Mark your calendar and join us! by Alexis Madison, President UPCOMING EVENTS New Trustee Colleen Lenahan celebrating her raffle win back in 2015 at our History-Making Party fundraiser. New Trustee Patricia Carroll docenting a preschool tour, 2017. ANNUAL MEETING June 8 5:30-8:00 pm Join us to celebrate our 50th Annual Meeting and our building's 75th Anniversary! RENTON RIVER DAYS July 21-23 10:00-4:00 pm on Fri. and Sat.; 12:00-4:00 pm on Sun. The Museum is FREE during Renton River Days week. Check out our special history activities in the Museum yard! CURATOR'S TALK: SARAH SAMSON ON A HISTORY OF RENTON IN 75 OBJECTS July 13 6:00-7:00 pm Curator Sarah Samson discusses how some of the favorites in RHM's collection tell colorful stories about Renton's history. Alexis Madison President SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2017 | 5 Plans for a new $30,000 Fire Station were launched just in time, as thousands of families headed to Renton for defense work at Boeing and Pacific Car & Foundry. Renton’s population would triple during WWII, and the volunteer firefighting force would be busier than ever. Yet city funds were still tight after the Depression, so decisions surrounding the new fire station were made carefully. Before his sudden death on the job in January 1940, City Engineer Frank W. Harris identified four lots fronting Mill Street, as well as other land across the street for a future City Hall.1 This particular parcel would also allow the city to extend Third Street past Main Street to meet Sunset Highway, another WPA project.2 Ultimately, the City paid about 23 cents per square foot for the land purchased from Peter Szymonski’s estate.3 Mayor George W. Beanblossom said he “breathed a sigh of relief” once the property was obtained. “It is conveniently located to a degree that couldn’t be better,” Mayor Beanblossom said. “We get space in abundance for our needs, and we get the strip which we so badly needed for our Third Avenue right-of-way.”4 The project was slow getting off the ground, as the City of Renton got in line for federal Works Progress Administration projects. The WPA was the largest of the Continued from page 1 Cover photo: Fire Station No. 1 in Downtown Renton, 1974. (RHM# 1999.120.5414) RENTON'S FIRE STATION NO. 1 AT 75 The 1st Renton Volunteer Fire Department building on Wells Ave., 1908. (RHM# 1972.018.0076) 6 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM federal employment programs designed to pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression. The agency worked with local governments to get construction projects done: local governments covered 10 – 30% of the cost of construction— usually the land, heavy equipment, and supplies—and the WPA supplied the rest, mainly workers’ pay. By July 1940 a Renton delegation began pestering Washington for quicker action on the city’s application, without much luck. A construction crew finally broke ground six months later, on Friday, January 17, 1941.5 Ivan M. Palmaw, a 1929 graduate of the University of Washington School of Architecture, was selected as the architect for the Renton Fire Station project. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1896, Palmaw was nephew to the last Imperial Architect of Russia, Alexander Kranoff. He studied engineering in St. Petersburg, but after the Russian Revolution was forced to leave because of his family’s close association to the Russian czar. In 1920 he joined his exiled uncle in Shangahi, China, where he assisted with several building projects. In 1923 Ivan applied to study architecture at the Barbizon in Paris, but he was refused. He chose instead to come to Seattle where he knew he could study under Carl Gould, a Barbizon graduate.6 After earning his degree in architecture, Palmaw launched a successful career in Seattle. He designed two Byzantine-style Russian Orthodox churches in Seattle, St. Nicholas (1935) and St. Spiridon (1937), both still standing today. By 1940 he was ready to launch his own independent practice; the Renton Fire Station would have Renton Fire Station No. 1, 1946. (RHM# 1988.100.2646) Ivan Palmaw, ca. 1940 (WA State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation) Young William Hay Adams as a member of the Renton Volunteer Fire Dept. Drill Team, 1908. (RHM# 1980.010.0966) SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2017 | 7 been one of his very first independent projects.7 For the city’s first stand-alone fire station, Palmaw chose an Art Deco style sometimes called “Moderne” for its rounded corners and low-slung look reminiscent of the fast cars, trains, and planes of the 1920s and 1930s. This style was a perfect choice for a city looking to the future: the Roxy Theatre’s neon sign and the Boeing Co.’s air travel innovations exemplified Renton’s future orientation. Palmaw’s Moderne fire station was part of a Renton trend, with a series of similar buildings completed around the same time, one of which—the medical building on North First Avenue—is still standing.8 William Hay Adams, son of early Renton settlers John P. and Janet Adams, served as project supervisor on the fire station, and the project would require all the skills he had gained as a WPA roads project supervisor.9 On Day One of construction, workers excavating for concrete footings uncovered a human skeleton buried about three feet deep. All work stopped, the coroner was notified, and he took charge of the bones; Deputy Morgan ventured his opinion that the death was due to natural causes.10 At the beginning, city officials estimated that the project would take eight months for completion, but the pouring of new firehouse walls was delayed for six months, until June 1941. Supervisor Adams coped with labor shortages, lack of skilled labor, WPA restrictions on length of the workday, and lack of funds for construction materials. The city was responsible for providing money for material and skilled labor, but the Depression continued to take its toll on the municipal budget. Bill Adams found creative ways around these challenges. Rather than purchase forms to pour all the walls at the same time, ultimately he saved money by pouring the south wing and then reusing the concrete forms for the north wing.11 Nevertheless, Adams was proud of his project and he invited the public to visit as it progressed. “Mr. Adams welcomes residents of Renton… to inspect the work[,] as such visits enables [sic] those interested to see the splendid work being done with limited amounts of skilled labor and to see the novel features incorporated in the structure,” reported the Chronicle.12 The station was touted as being “earthquake proof,” built “along what is termed ‘hinged’ construction lines” that would allow a certain amount of give when the ground started to shake.13 The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred between the groundbreaking and the building’s completion, and U.S. entry into WWII completely changed national and city priorities. Firefighters “got used to talking about it like they talked in Seattle about the Spokane St. viaduct or like the promise that father used to make me about fixing the loose board in the walk,” the Renton Chronicle observed. “The building was forced to withstand many a joke about its degree of progress.”14 Almost exactly two years after purchasing the land, in April 1942 the city was finally ready to dedicate its brand new Fire Station No. 1. Continued on page 10 Renton Fire Department, 1947. Fire Chief Floyd Lawrence is 2nd from left in the middle group of men. (RHM# 1987.105.2293) 8 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM I am pleased to announce we have seen record breaking Museum attendance in March, April, and May of this year. This was all due to the run of Sorting Out Race and the many programs taking place during these three months. And while these numbers may not be surprising, I think they are telling. Prior to the opening of the exhibit, Museum Staff, Board Members, and Historical Society Members wondered if Renton was ready for this type of exhibit. I think we can safely say it is. From a preliminary look at Sorting Out Race surveys, an overwhelming majority of exhibit attendees would like to see more exhibits like this and would recommend the Renton History Museum to their friends based on seeing this exhibit. Additionally, most people who completed the survey found the exhibit meaningful. Not only is our Renton community ready, they want more. We have also seen an increase in diversity and Museum first timers in our program attendance. Groups like CryOut! brought their own audience, most of whom had never been to the museum before. The Living Voices programs were also very successful. The actors were extremely powerful in their delivery and the questions and conversations afterward were informative and thought provoking. One question that came up during the Within the Silence program was, “When did Washington repeal the Alien Land Law?” because an audience member remembered voting on it. This law denied First Generation Japanese, and other immigrants, from owning any property in Washington State. It took Washington State two prior attempts before voters finally overturned the law in 1966. This is a sobering reminder that even our beloved state has a history of oppression. Our range of programming was also very successful at engaging audiences of all ages. Our storytellers Dr. Marcia Tate Arunga and Roger Fernandes did a wonderful job of engaging children and adults alike - both prompting the audience to think about their own personal histories and ancestry. The facilitated dialogue led by Benita Horn and the panel discussion with Renton community members were well attended and generated much needed discussion about race and stereotypes in Renton. During the run of the exhibit we have also hosted multiple tours and meetings. For example, Renton High School requested a tour for all 10th graders specifically to look at the Renton High School Indians…The History of a Name exhibit. They are currently learning about the mascot legacy. When introducing the students to the Museum we asked who had been to the museum before. Out of 247 students who came through the museum approximately 90% of them had never been in the museum before. This is exactly the kind of impact we hoped we’d get: new audiences and experiences. With our highest Spring visitation numbers on record, an increase in visitor diversity, and an increase of new visitors to our programs, I am happy to say we accomplished what we set out to achieve. CryOut! founder Celestine Ezinkwo performs at the Museum.Renton High School sophomores visiting the Museum. Kim Owens Public Engagement Coordinator PROGRAMMING REPORT by Kim Owens, Public Engagement Coordinator Storyteller Roger Fernandes performs at the Museum. SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2017 | 9 MEMORIAL DONATIONS February 16, 2017 - May 15, 2017 Ed Bentley Larry & Jeannie Crook Louise Bertozzi Hazelle DuBois Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ladies Auxiliary Renton #1722 Venishnick Family Patsy Blanton Larry & Jeannie Crook Julie E. Bray Carrie & Greg Bergquist Attilio Franceschina Venishnick Family Gordon Gullingsrud Al & Shirley Armstrong Norm Lou Jones Steve & Lynn Anderson Despina“Babe”Lambro Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Ruth Larson Tom & Margaret Feaster and Derric & Nancy Feaster Lowery Gov. Mike Lowry Larry & Jeannie Crook King Parker Elizabeth P. Stewart Carol Patricelli Larry & Jeannie Crook Ann Porcello Don & Carmel Camerini Kathryn Argano McKnight Don Sorenson Larry & Jeannie Crook Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Al Talley Sr. Kathryn Argano McKnight Elizabeth P. Stewart Diane“Dede”Vangel Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Homer F. Venishnick Carrie & Greg Bergquist MEMORIAL DONATIONS OF $100 OR MORE Walter A. Dragin Shirley Dragin Moretti Neddie Rose Farrington Shirley Dragin Moretti Gerard M. Shellan Nancy Monahan Homer Venishnick Don & Pearl Burrows Jack & Maria Rogers MEMORIAL DONATIONS OF $500 OR MORE Lloyd Tonkin Merrie Hamlin THE 102nd BIRTHDAY OF BEA MATHEWSON Elizabeth K. Mathewson GENERAL DONATIONS Jim & Char Baker Don & Carmel Camerini Jeffrey Conner Shirley Custer Phyllis L. Davey Rolland & Deloris Dewing John DuBois Louise O. George Therese Higashiyama Lynne & Mike King Roberta Logue Marcie Maxwell Orville & Donna Nelson Ray Owens Yvonne Redding-White Mark & Barbara Santos- Johnson Janene Sestak Richard Zwicker Bill Yeckel GENERAL DONATIONS OF $100 OR MORE Carolyn Alfus Nancy Fairman Dorothy M. Finley Ila Hemm Don Hunsaker III Derric & Irma Iles Denis & Patty Law Judith Leu Gerald and Mary Marsh Naomi Mathisen Joanne Matsumura Barbara Nilson King Parker Sandra Polley Sue & Fred Samson Janice Tanner MATCHING GIFT DONATIONS David Pickett United Technologies, Inc. Amazon Smile IN-KIND DONATIONS Pritchard Design NEW MEMBERS Sara Barbee Nancy Berry Benita Horn Karl Hurst Ken Ray Jack & Maria Rogers BENEFACTOR MEMBERS Norm & Carol Abrahamson Jeff Dineen Paul & Wanda Hebron Yvonne Redding-White PATRON MEMBERS Stephen & Theresa Clymer GIFT MEMBERSHIP DONORS Elizabeth P. Stewart FUNDING PROVIDED BY: Memorial donations to the Renton Historical Society are a loving way to commemorate the life of a family member, friend, or other person of significance by securing their place in history. Significant donations may be directed to our Endowment for the future of the Museum; smaller donations help us meet our mission to document, preserve, and educate about the history of Renton through exhibits, programs, collections care, and outreach. Your gift is acknowledged in our quarterly newsletter and to the family. Talk to us if you have questions about memorial donations or estate planning. REMBERING THOSE YOU LOVE 10 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM “There is ample reason for congratulations that we got our fine, modern fire department headquarters finished when we did,” the newspaper opined. “[Visitors] are going to be surprised at the completeness of the plant and pleased with it throughout.”15 The south wing housed the Fire Chief’s Office, a store room for smaller equipment, and a dormitory, showers, and lockers. In the north wing was the kitchen, dining room, and assembly room. The 36-foot tall hose drying tower was located in the back, with the boiler room and fuel room underneath.16 The new Fire Station represented a turning point for firefighters in Renton. On January 1, 1944, the fire department switched from all-volunteer to a paid staff of one Chief and four firemen, supplemented by volunteers. The first paid firemen worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off and earned a salary of $200 a month.17 The disciplined firemen developed agreed-upon rules for their home-away-from-home, about sleeping, eating, training, and maintaining the new station. “The life of a housewife and the life of a fireman have much in common,” observed one reporter. “It is a repetition of scrub, wax and polish for both housewife and fireman, and every little while the schedule is thrown out of gear by an emergency.”18 As the force professionalized and purchased improved equipment, Fire Station No. 1 grew “crowded and cramped” and too small for modern ladder trucks. City officials discovered that remodeling the poured-concrete structure would cost more than new construction. In 1974 and again in 1975 they floated $2M bond proposals to finance a larger station, both of which were turned down by voters. Once again the federal government stepped in with the possibility of funding. The Economic Development Administration, established in 1965 as part of Pres. Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society programs, offered funds for construction projects that would increase employment; a new Continued from page 7 ENDNOTES 1 “Frank W. Harris, City Engineer,” Renton News Record, 25 Jan 1940, p.1; Dan McGovern, “After Thinking It Over,” Renton Chronicle, 22 Feb 1940, p.1. Other land was purchased from Anna Wood Marlowe, Robert Henderson Wood, and George Boyes. 2 The Third Street extension came together much more quickly than the Fire Station. City Attorney Paul W. Houser and Engineer Frank W. Harris obtained a right-of-way from the Pacific Coast Railroad and quickly put together a WPA project to move the existing Bronson Way Bridge over to extend Third (now Houser Way) over the Cedar River, giving Renton two bridges over the Cedar in the “main part of the city.” This project had been one of Mayor George Beanblossom’s campaign pledges. “3rd Ave. Bridge Looks Nearer This Week,” Renton Chronicle, 4 May 1939, p.1; “City Buys Right-of-Way for Bridge,” Renton Chronicle, 6 Jul 1939, p.1; “Council Tells Engineer to Move Bridge,” Renton Chronicle, 3 Aug 1939, p.1. 3 Dan McGovern spells out details of the deal in, “After Thinking It Over,” Renton Chronicle, 22 Feb 1940, p.1. 4 “Council Votes Approval of Lot Purchase,” Renton Chronicle, 29 Feb 1940, p.1. 5 “Promise Action on Fire Station,” Renton Chronicle, 1 Jul 1940, p.1; “Work Starts on New Renton Fire Station,” Renton Chronicle, 23 Jan 1941, p.1. 6 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form, “Renton Fire Station #1,” 1978; Michael Houser, “Ivan M. Palmaw, 1896 – 1979,” Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation,” Jan 2012, accessed at http://www.dahp.wa.gov/learn-and-research/architect- biographies/ivan-m-palmaw. 7 Michael Houser, “Ivan M. Palmaw, 1896 – 1979,” Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation,” Jan 2012, accessed at http://www.dahp.wa.gov/learn-and-research/architect-biographies/ivan-m- palmaw; National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form, “Renton Fire Station #1,” 1978. 8 Among these were: the Medical Security Clinic on First Street in North Renton (still standing); Renton Telephone building on the west side of Williams between Second and Third (no longer standing); Wright-Derringer Motors building at Third and Burnett (no longer standing). Renton Chronicle, 28 Aug 1941, p. 1; Renton Chronicle, 30 Oct 1941, p.1; and Renton Chronicle, 6 Nov 1941, p.2. 9 “Works Starts On New Renton Fire Station,” Renton Chronicle, 23 Jan 1941, p.1. 10 “Mystery Skeleton Is Unearthed on Site Of New Fire Station,” Renton Chronicle, 23 Jan 1941, p.1. The Chronicle never followed up on the case. 11 “New Fire House Walls Being Poured,” Renton Chronicle, 19 Jun 1941, p.1. Later a Renton Chronicle writer listed the problems that slowed construction: “it was a WPA job, begun just about the time skilled workers begun [sic] to quit the WPA in droves, … its final construction periods paralleled the increasing program of war work, and … city officials have also been head- over-heels in defense jobs.” “New Fire Hall Dedication Sat.-Sun.,” Renton Chronicle, 16 Apr 1942, p.1. 12 “New Fire House Walls Being Poured,” Renton Chronicle, 19 Jun 1941, p.1. 13 “New Fire House Walls Being Poured,” Renton Chronicle, 19 Jun 1941, p.1. 14 “New Fire Hall Dedication Sat.-Sun.,” Renton Chronicle, 16 Apr 1942, p.1. 15 “New Fire Hall Dedication Sat.-Sun.,” Renton Chronicle, 16 Apr 1942, p.1. 16 “New Fire Hall Dedication Sat.-Sun.,” Renton Chronicle, 16 Apr 1942, p.1. More details of the floor plan are in “New Fire House Walls Being Poured,” Renton Chronicle, 19 Jun 1941, p.1. 17 Andrew Fickes, “Honors Go to Last Remaining Firefighting Pioneer,” Renton Magazine, Mar 2008, n.p. 18 Doris West, “Fire Fighters Don’t just Fight Flames—Keep Station Spic-Span As Job Confines ‘Em to Quarters,” Renton Chronicle, 21 Jul 1955, sect. 2, p.1. 19 Eric Pryne, “Fire Station Old, Crumbling Say Firemen,” Renton Record- Chronicle, 24 Oct 1974, p.16; Michael Prager, “At Last! Renton Just May Get New Fire Station,” Seattle Times, 22 Jun 1977, p.H8; “Fire Station Rings In,” Renton Record-Chronicle, 17 Apr 1979, p.A2. fire station qualified. The new $940,645 firehouse, built one block north of the old one, was large enough to sleep 11 and allow the department administration to return from separate offices in City Hall.19 As soon as rumors floated about a new firehouse, volunteers of the Renton Historical Society had their eye on the historic Fire Station No. 1. President Ethel Telban and Vice President Ernie Tonda, himself a retired captain in the Renton Fire Department, began working behind-the-scenes on a new location for a museum. And the rest, as they say, is history. Firefighters Karl Strom, Dave Walsh, and Captain Jim Ashurst mopping and hosing down the truck bays in Fire Station No. 1. (Renton Chronicle, 21 Jul 1955, p.1.) SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2017 | 11 I nvite your history-minded friends and family to the History-Making Party benefiting the Renton Historical Society! This fantastically fun event features a catered dinner, dessert dash, raffle prizes, and silent & live auctions featuring upcylced home furnishings by local makers! Lively and lovable local emcees Aunt Dottie and Nephew Aaron will be on-hand providing entertainment and laughs. Tickets are $45 and will be available on BrownPaperTickets.com and at the Museum. On OCTOBER 17 doors open at 5:30 PM SAVE THE DATE! 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: $ ME M B E R S H I P L E V E L S Ba s i c m e m b e r s h i p s Ty p e An n u a l C o s t Be n e f i t s In d i v i d u a l $3 0 • F r e e a d m i s s i o n t o t h e M u s e u m • F r e e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r s • F r e e a d m i s s i o n t o t h e C u l t u r a l E v e n t s & S p e a k e r P r o g r a m s • I n v i t a t i o n s t o e x h i b i t o p e n i n g s a n d t h e a n n u a l m e e t i n g • 1 5 % d i s c o u n t a t t h e M u s e u m s h o p St u d e n t / S e n i o r $2 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p St u d e n t s : a n y o n e w i t h a s t u d e n t I D S e n i o r s : a g e 6 2 + Fa m i l y $4 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • F r e e a d m i s s i o n f o r t w o a d u l t s & c h i l d r e n Su s t a i n i n g m e m b e r s h i p s Be n e f a c t o r $7 5 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • 2 f r e e v i s i t o r p a s s e s • R H M p i n • R e c o g n i t i o n i n t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r Pa t r o n $1 5 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • 5 f r e e v i s i t o r p a s s e s • R H M p i n • 1 f r e e d i g i t a l i m a g e * ( a n n u a l l y ) • I n v i t a t i o n t o a “ B e h i n d t h e S c e n e s ” e v e n t • R e c o g n i t i o n i n t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r • T h a n k y o u c a r d Bu s i n e s s / C o r p o r a t e $1 7 5 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p , t h e b e n e f i t s o f a Pa t r o n m e m b e r s h i p , p l u s : • O n e t i m e 2 0 % d i s c o u n t o n r o o m r e n t a l Li f e $7 5 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • 5 f r e e v i s i t o r p a s s e s • R H M p i n • 5 f r e e d i g i t a l i m a g e s * ( l i f e t i m e ) • I n v i t a t i o n t o a “ B e h i n d t h e S c e n e s ” e v e n t • O n e t i m e 2 0 % d i s c o u n t o n r o o m r e n t a l • R e c o g n i t i o n i n t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r • T h a n k y o u c a r d *C o v e r s t h e $ 1 5 u s e f e e p e r i m a g e . I t d o e s n o t c o v e r t h e r i g h t s f e e w h i c h i s c h a r g e d s e p a r a t e l y . Renton History Museum 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425.255.2330 Fax: 425.255.1570 rentonhistory.org RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM 235 Mill Ave. S Renton, WA 98057 Retired Fire Department Captain Ernie Tonda at the dedication for the Chief Sealth fountain in August 1982. Ernie was instrumental in converting Fire Station No. 1 into a museum. (RHM# 2012.001.006) IN HINDSIGHT...