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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 Issue 2 - Renton's Hilltop CommunityRenton Historical Society's Annual Meeting Board Report by Bob Hunt, President. Collections Report by Sarah Samson, Curator. Museum Report by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Director. Author’s note: This article reflects research done to interpret the new Heritage Park, located at Union Avenue Northeast and Third Court Northeast. The Renton History Museum was called in to help the Heritage Park Task Force research the park property and its surrounding neighborhood, in order to capture its history for all those who will enjoy the park. Much more research remains to be done, and we will continue to collect whatever information, photographs, and memories people are willing to share. This article, then, reflects just a glimpse of the history that has taken place on “Renton Hilltop.” We look forward to including further information in future newsletters, as well as in the park itself. N ewcomers to Renton are surprised by the number of small neighborhoods (and some not-so-small), each with their own distinctive character and ways of doing things. One such neighborhood is the area that Also In This Issue... RENTON HISTORICALSOCIETY & MUSEUM Summer June 2007 Volume 38 Number 2 Renton Historical Quarterly 8 Renton Historical Society's 2007 Annual Meeting Right: President Bob Hunt (center) presents the Custer Award to Doug Kyes, Don Custer,and Clark Petersen. Recipients Stan Greeneand Carrie Bergquist were absent. Below: President Bob Hunt visits with some Renton Historical Society membersduring the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is always a wonderful time to get caught upwith old friends and maybe makesome new ones, and this year’sget-together was no exception!About 70 people enjoyed goodfood and good fellowship onWednesday, June 6 at the Mu-seum—there were even a fewkids on hand and we’d like toencourage more to come nextyear! Don and Larry’s Catering pro-vided delicious chicken andhamburgers hot off the grill. Once everyone was sufficiently full,Museum Director Liz Stewartopened the program with a brief welcome. President Bob Huntthen conducted a brief businessmeeting of the Historical Society.He thanked outgoing trusteesPatty Law, Vicky Persson, andJerrilyn Hadley for their outstand-ing service to the Board. Patty was responsible for the beautiful plantings that brighten up our new sign; she also chairedthe Membership Committee. Vicky has done an excellent job recruiting new trustees over the years, as chair of theNominations Committee. Jerrilyn has been a dynamic member of the Museum Operations Committee, providing invaluableinsights as the Historical Society revised their By-Laws. All three will be much missed. Continued on page 5 Renton Historical Quarterly 8 Renton Historical Society's 2007 Annual Meeting Right: President Bob Hunt (center) presents the Custer Award to Doug Kyes, Don Custer,and Clark Petersen. Recipients Stan Greeneand Carrie Bergquist were absent. Below: President Bob Hunt visits with some Renton Historical Society members during the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is always a wonderful time to get caught upwith old friends and maybe makesome new ones, and this year’sget-together was no exception! About 70 people enjoyed goodfood and good fellowship onWednesday, June 6 at the Mu-seum—there were even a fewkids on hand and we’d like to encourage more to come next year! Don and Larry’s Catering pro- vided delicious chicken and hamburgers hot off the grill. Onceeveryone was sufficiently full,Museum Director Liz Stewartopened the program with a briefwelcome. President Bob Hunt then conducted a brief businessmeeting of the Historical Society.He thanked outgoing trusteesPatty Law, Vicky Persson, and Jerrilyn Hadley for their outstand- ing service to the Board. Patty was responsible for the beautiful plantings that brighten up our new sign; she also chaired the Membership Committee. Vicky has done an excellent job recruiting new trustees over the years, as chair of theNominations Committee. Jerrilyn has been a dynamic member of the Museum Operations Committee, providing invaluableinsights as the Historical Society revised their By-Laws. All three will be much missed. 2 4 103 QUARTERLY RENTON'S HILLTOP COMMUNITY by Elizabeth P. Stewart 2 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM GLORIA NICHOLS (1925-2007) Our long-time volunteer Gloria Nichols passed away at the beginning of April this year. Gloria was a regular Saturday greeter and she also served from time to time giving museum tours. With her passing we lost a charming lady who was also a very devoted supporter of our museum. Gloria participated in many of the volunteer field trips to other museums. She enjoyed learning new things and she especially liked HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA CONKLIN Ella Conklin, a life- long resident of Renton, celebrated her 100th birthday on April 19th, at a special gathering held at the Evergreen Place Retirement in the Highlands. This lovely lady, who was born in Renton, and graduated from Renton High School, was the daughter of George Conklin, a pioneer educator in the Renton School District. Ella was associated for many years with Tom Dobson & Son, an the company of other volunteers. She touched the hearts of many of us and we will remember her as one of the most gentle and understanding people, someone who served the museum with real pleasure. insurance company in downtown Renton, and is loved by all who know her. Ella is a long time member of our Renton Historical Society and we wish her a happy and healthy year. The Annual Meeting is always a wonderful time to get caught up with old friends and maybe make some new ones, and this year's get-together was no exception! About 70 people enjoyed good food and good fellowship on Wednesday, June 6 at the Museum —there were even a few kids on hand and we'd like to encourage more to come next year! Don and Larry's Catering provided delicious chicken and hamburgers hot off the grill. Once everyone was sufficiently full, Museum Director Liz Stewart opened the program with a brief welcome. President Bob Hunt then conducted a brief business meeting of the Historical Society. He thanked outgoing trustees Patty Law, Vicky Persson, and Jerrilyn Hadley for their outstanding service to the Board. Patty was responsible for the beautiful plantings that brighten up our new sign; she also chaired the Membership Committee. Vicky has done an excellent job recruiting new trustees over the years, as chair of the Nominations Committee. Jerrilyn has been a dynamic member of the Museum Operations Committee, providing invaluable insights as the Historical Society revised their By-Laws. All three will be much missed. At the same time, the Historical Society approved its newest trustee, Robin Baches. Robin is a former flight attendant and the mother of a beautiful daughter, Athena, who attended the meeting with her mom. Robin also works part-time at the Burke Museum of Natural History, and brings to the Board expertise in events organizing and fundraising. We're excited to have her join us! The high point of the evening was the presentation of the Volunteer and Custer Awards. Volunteer Awards Renton Historical Quarterly 8 Renton Historical Society's 2007 Annual Meeting Right: President Bob Hunt (center) presents the Custer Award to Doug Kyes, Don Custer, and Clark Petersen. Recipients Stan Greene and Carrie Bergquist were absent. Below: President Bob Hunt visits with some Renton Historical Society membersduring the Annual Meeting.The Annual Meeting is always awonderful time to get caught upwith old friends and maybe makesome new ones, and this year ’sget-together was no exception!About 70 people enjoyed goodfood and good fellowship onWednesday, June 6 at the Mu-seum—there were even a fewkids on hand and we’d like toencourage more to come nextyear!Don and Larry’s Catering pro-vided delicious chicken andhamburgers hot off the grill. Onceeveryone was sufficiently full,Museum Director Liz Stewartopened the program with a briefwelcome. President Bob Huntthen conducted a brief businessmeeting of the Historical Society.He thanked outgoing trusteesPatty Law, Vicky Persson, andJerrilyn Hadley for their outstand-ing service to the Board. Patty was responsible for the beautiful plantings that brighten up our new sign; she also chairedthe Membership Committee. Vicky has done an excellent job recruiting new trustees over the years, as chair of the Nominations Committee. Jerrilyn has been a dynamic member of the Museum Operations Committee, providing invaluable insights as the Historical Society revised their By-Laws. All three will be much missed. 1960 RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING were presented by Dorota Rahn to Ernest Lees, Vivian Williams, and Bette Selygman for their outstanding service and commitment in 2006-2007. Dorota gave two Volunteer of the Year Awards—one to Marian Sutton and one to Carol Hawkins—for their work on special projects. The 2007 George W. and Annie Lewis Custer Award for Heritage Citizenship went to the team of dedicated volunteers who revised and reprinted Morda Slauson's book Renton—From Coal to Jets, making it available again after it had been so long out of print. Stan Greene, Carrie Bergquist, Clark Petersen, Don Custer, and Doug Kyes worked together to get this project done, revising the book's text, adding a timeline, index, and more photos, and getting the book listed with the Library of Congress. This group richly deserved the Custer Award for their contribution to the preservation of Renton's heritage. Please plan to join us next year in June for the annual gathering of Renton's heritage community, and bring your family and prospective new members! President Bob Hunt (center right) presents the Custer Award to Doug Kyes, Don Custer & Clark Petersen. Recipients Stan Greene & Carrie Bergquist were absent. SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2007 | 3 MUSEUM REPORT RENTON HISTORICAL QUARTERLY Sarah Iles Graphic Design & Layout Karl Hurst City of Renton Print & Mail Services RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Bob Hunt, President Sandra Meyer, Vice President Elizabeth P. Stewart, Secretary Paula Tran, Treasurer Larry Sleeth, 2007 Robert Bonner, 2008 Kevin McQuiller, 2008 Ron Stroben, 2008 Susie Bressan, 2009 Laura Clawson, 2009 Doug Kyes, 2009 Martha Zwicker, 2009 Lynn Bohart, 2009 Robin Baches, 2010 Terrie Briere, City Liason MUSEUM STAFF Elizabeth P. Stewart Museum Director Sarah Iles Collection Manager Dorota Rahn Volunteer & Education Coordinator Daisy Ward Administrative Assistant Tom Monahan Research Specialist Pearl Jacobson Registrar Louise George Secretary 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) QUARTERLY Summer 2007 Elizabeth P. Stewart Director T his spring we’ve started some big exciting projects, restoring two pieces of old Renton. First, on April 3, Western Neon Inc. came to the museum’s offsite storage and removed the Fey’s Roxy Theatre neon sign in preparation for its refurbishment. This project is the culmination of a long planning and fundraising process for what has been called “the Mezzanine Project.” With a generous grant from City Council, the Historical Society has contracted with Western Neon, a Seattle firm that has almost 50 years of experience making and restoring neon signs; they worked on the Rainier “R” hanging in the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the Tully “T” on top of the Tully Building. Their president, Jay Blazek, was very excited to see the condition of the sign— he pronounced it in “fantastic” shape! Once completed in midsummer, the neon sign will become the centerpiece of our main gallery, as part of a small exhibit about movie theatres, the Loop, and social life in Renton in the 1940s through the 1960s. The second project is the restoration of the coal car that used to sit outside the museum. Although it’s actually from Black Diamond, the museum’s coal car is exactly like the cars that were sealed up when the Renton mines closed, making this one a rare piece of mining history. The coal car has been in storage long enough that before we can exhibit it in the museum, it will have to have the wood and iron restored and be checked carefully for pests. During a recent visit to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Sarah Iles and I toured their new state-of-theart railroad car restoration facility. We talked to their staff about the possibility of a partnership between our two museums to restore the car and do some research into its construction and use. We’ll be looking for funds to get this done, and then once it’s conserved, we’re hoping to find room for it adjacent to the updated coal mining exhibit. We’re planning for all these projects to come together over the next six months, so you’ll have plenty of reasons to come visit our new exhibits. Although you may miss some of your old favorite objects in the gallery, we’re hoping you agree that we’re creating new favorites for the future! by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Museum Director Preparing the Roxy sign for transport to Seattle. Western Neon's Jay Blazek demonstrates how metal letters will spell out "Fey's Roxy" when the sign is complete. 4 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I managed to forestall having to submit this quarter’s report until after our Annual Meeting. I had a chance to greet some of you, missed some others, and there were actually some that didn’t attend! We had a brief business meeting where we bid farewell to three departing board members: Vicky Persson, Patty Law, and Jerrilynn Hadley. These ladies have served us very well. All of them have taken the job very seriously and have shown strength, integrity, and independence. While achieving consensus during discussion of issues facing the board is important, it is equally important that differences be aired and worked out. Sometimes we don’t achieve consensus, but I think that having people on board who are willing to challenge our thinking is more important. That is especially true for me, as I can be pretty hardheaded and need some strong people to keep me thinking. I, the Board, and the Society will miss these ladies and I cannot recommend them too strongly to anyone who may wish to consider them for other volunteer positions. We were pleased at the business meeting to also accept the extension to another term for Sandra Meyer as Vice President and Paula Tran as Treasurer. This is the beginning of the second and final term for each of these ladies, as our Bylaws require a two-term limit for Executive Board positions. I am half-way through my second term, so this is the beginning of my last year serving as your Board President. We also were happy that Larry Sleeth has agreed to serve at least another year while he leads the effort to renovate the sally port into a storage area in the lowest level of the old City Hall. The membership present voted to accept Robin Baches as a new Board member. I’m excited that she has chosen to offer her help on our board. Robin is a young mother, with quite a bit of family history in Renton. She also works for the Burke Museum, so she brings some practical knowledge of the operations side. Cheer her on if you meet her. If you’ve followed the numbers, that leaves us two board members short. We will be scouting around for suitable victims, er… candidates. Our fundraising committee took a hit with the departures and we need some skills in that area, so we’re looking for someone who has served in that capacity with a non-profit, someone who could hit the ground running. If you’re interested, contact the Museum office for a Board of Trustees application. Thanks for being part of our Society, supporting the work that we do, and contributing your time and talents. by Bob Hunt, President Bob Hunt President Renton Historical Quarterly 8 Renton Historical Society's 2007 Annual Meeting Right: President Bob Hunt (center) presentsthe Custer Award to Doug Kyes, Don Custer,and Clark Petersen. Recipients Stan Greeneand Carrie Bergquist were absent. Below: President Bob Hunt visits with some Renton Historical Society membersduring the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is always a wonderful time to get caught upwith old friends and maybe makesome new ones, and this year’sget-together was no exception!About 70 people enjoyed goodfood and good fellowship onWednesday, June 6 at the Mu-seum—there were even a fewkids on hand and we’d like toencourage more to come next year! Don and Larry’s Catering pro-vided delicious chicken andhamburgers hot off the grill. Onceeveryone was sufficiently full,Museum Director Liz Stewartopened the program with a briefwelcome. President Bob Huntthen conducted a brief business meeting of the Historical Society.He thanked outgoing trustees Patty Law, Vicky Persson, and Jerrilyn Hadley for their outstand-ing service to the Board. Patty was responsible for the beautiful plantings that brighten up our new sign; she also chaired the Membership Committee. Vicky has done an excellent job recruiting new trustees over the years, as chair of theNominations Committee. Jerrilyn has been a dynamic member of the Museum Operations Committee, providing invaluableinsights as the Historical Society revised their By-Laws. All three will be much missed. President Bob Hunt visits with some members during the Renton Historical Society Annual Meeting. UPCOMING EVENTS RENTON RIVER DAYS July 24-29 Join us at the Museum and our booth in Liberty Park to celebrate Renton's History during Renton River Days! ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, HUMANITY IS THE FIRST! EXHIBIT OPENING July 23 10:30 am-11:30 pm The Renton History Museum invites you to the opening of an exhibit of artwork by ESL students from the Renton Technical College. This exhibit shares the cultures of their home countries and the goals they hope to reach in the U.S. The artwork you see here was produced by English as a Second Language students from Renton Technical College for the college’s third annual International Fair on June 21. The International Fair is an opportunity for the college to showcase the diversity of people on their campus and in the Renton community. This exhibit represents an opportunity for the Renton History Museum and Renton Technical College to work together to celebrate the many cultures and languages that blend together to make our community strong. Each quarter about 1,000 students study English as a Second Language at Renton Technical College. These men and women study English so they can go to work or get a better job, enter post-secondary education, better communicate with their family and neighbors, and better function as members of the Renton community. In a survey of 480 students conducted last year, Renton Technical College found that 57 countries were represented, with 45 different languages spoken. 62% of their students had been in the United States for less than five years. Last year 1% of RTC’s students were American Indian or Alaskan Native, 5% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 14% were Black or African American, 19% were Asian, 30% were Hispanic or Latino, and 31% were of White European background (including Russian, Ukrainian, and Eastern European). We hope this is the first of many opportunities to represent Renton’s diversity of cultures in our exhibits. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, HUMANITY AS THE FIRST! Thank you to Renton Technical College Dean of Basic Studies John Chadwick, Instructor Jenna Pollock, and the students of RTC’s English as a Second Language Program. ESL Panel 0707 7/10/07 7:51 PM Page 1 June 2007 Volume 38, Number 2 Continued on page 4 RENTON’S HILLTOP COMMUNITYAuthor’s note: This article reflects research done to interpret the new Heritage Park, located at Union AvenueNortheast and Third Court Northeast. The Renton History Museum was called in to help the Heritage Park TaskForce research the park property and its surrounding neighborhood, in order to capture its history for all thosewho will enjoy the park. Much more research remains to be done, and we will continue to collect whatever infor-mation, photographs, and memories people are willing to share. This article, then, reflects just a glimpse of thehistory that has taken place on “Renton Hilltop.” We look forward to including further information in futurenewsletters, as well as in the park itself.Newcomers to Renton are surprised by the number of small neighborhoods (and some not-so-small), each with their owndistinctive character and ways of doing things. One such neighborhood is the area that recently found itself with a newpark at its center, Heritage Park. Arranged along Union Avenue and bordered by Sunset Highway to the north andMaplewood Golf Course to the south, this area has historically been one of Renton’s predominantly African-Americanneighborhoods. Before homes and businesses closed the distance, this area was far enough away from having a recogniz-able connection to the city of Renton, yet it was not quite Kennydale either. It was sometimes called “Renton Hilltop” orsimply “the country” by residents who began escaping what they saw as Seattle’s urban ills—or those of the segregatedSouth—in the 1920s and 1930s. These families found in Renton what Americans through history have been looking for: achance to own their own property and raise their children surrounded by neighbors in the truest sense of the word.In the 1890s this land on the crest of the hill was far enough away from geographical amenities like rivers and the lakethat no one much cared who owned it. The earliest maps show that in 1892 much of the land was owned by Native Americans such as “Indian Ben,” “Indian Tecumseh,” and “Indian Bill Rogers.” These men also show up in territorial censuses and the Talbot Mine payroll.1 Some of this land was also owned by the State of Washington for the benefit of schools. In April 1914 timber was harvested and sold to A. N. Fairchild, with the pro- ceeds going to the school system. Before 1910 African-American families had already begun purchasing property on the hilltop. James I. Smith seems to have been the first African American to arrive, some- time before 1910. Though he was sur- rounded by white farmers he must have found it a congenial place to live, because before long his brother Dougherty Smith purchased an adjoining five-acre parcel on the west side of Union near what is now Northeast Third Court. Both were born in Florida in the early 1880s, and both worked off and on for the coal mines. Dougherty Smith was a coal mine laborer The home of James and Mamie Smith, 1939. The Smiths built this house in 1918, and then added a smoke house, chicken house, and a garage. (Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Regional Branch, Washington State Archives, Bellevue Community College.) Masthead photo: The home of Evelena Buckner, 1939. Evelena and her widowed mother, Amanda Bird, were among the first African Americans to settle in the Hilltop neighborhood. (Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Regional Branch, Washington State Archives, Bellevue Community College.) for the Pacific Coast Coal Company around World War I. James was a mule driver in 1900—probably in the mines—and by 1920 he was a fireman on a stationary engine, a very responsible job that required ensuring the mine hoist could move men into the mine and coal out. SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2007 | 5 recently found itself with a new park at its center, Heritage Park. Arranged along Union Avenue and bordered by Sunset Highway to the north and Maplewood Golf Course to the south, this area has historically been one of Renton’s predominantly African-American neighborhoods. Before homes and businesses closed the distance, this area was far enough away from having a recognizable connection to the city of Renton, yet it was not the city of Renton, yet it was not quite Kennydale either. It was sometimes called “Renton Hilltop” or simply “the country” by residents who began escaping what they saw as Seattle’s urban ills—or those of the segregated South—in the 1920s and 1930s. These families found in Renton what Americans through history have been looking for: a chance to own their own property and raise their children surrounded by neighbors in the truest sense of the word. In the 1890s this land on the crest of the hill was far enough away from geographical amenities like rivers and the lake that no one much cared who owned it. The earliest maps show that in 1892 much of the land was owned by Native Americans such as “Indian Ben,” “Indian Tecumseh,” and “Indian Bill Rogers.” These men also show up in territorial censuses and the Talbot Mine payroll.1 Some of this land Continued from page 1 Cover photo: First Honey Dew School building, photo taken in 1939. (RHM# 1967.012.0705) RENTON'S HILLTOP COMMUNITY The home of James and Mamie Smith, 1939. The Smiths built this house in 1918, and then added a smoke house, chicken house, and a garage. (Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Regional Branch, Washington State Archives, Bellevue Community College) 6 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM his son Samuel was a surface mine laborer; both Williams and Franklin owned their own property next door to one another.2 Many found working in the coal mines provided a good enough living to continually improve their properties on the Hilltop. James Smith, his wife Mamie, and their extended family started out in a one-story shingle house with an attic, but by 1939 he had added a garage, a brooder house for chickens, and a smoke house.3 For African Americans, however, coal mining was not a constant source of income; their ability to work depended on the mine operators’ need for labor and their willingness to incur the hostility of white workers by providing jobs to non-whites. African Americans’ inadvertent reputation as strikebreakers in towns like Roslyn and Franklin made some whites suspicious of working side-by-side with them. Because census records show that many African Americans described themselves as farmers or coal miners at different times, one can imagine that they would have gone back and forth between living off their land and working in the mines. James Smith was willing to spend money on constructing a chicken house and smoke house because of the extra income farming could provide when employment in the mines was uncertain. Part of the attraction of this area was the possibility of living off the land. The Hilltop’s rural character allowed residents to make money by raising livestock, fruits, and vegetables and selling them, sometimes even as far away as Seattle. “Pop” Emmett Simms came to the area in the mid- 1920s; he raised and sold vegetable from a horse-drawn wagon in the Highlands, but he was best known for his barbecue pit.4 Marcus Harding (second from right) with a group of Newcastle miners, 1912. Many men lived on the hilltop and worked in the Newcastle or Issaquah mines. (RHM# 1983.076.1817, detail) was also owned by the State of Washington for the benefit of schools. In April 1914 timber was harvested and sold to A. N. Fairchild, with the proceeds going to the school system. Before 1910 African-American families had already begun purchasing property on the hilltop. James I. Smith seems to have been the first African American to arrive, sometime before 1910. Though he was surrounded by white farmers he must have found it a congenial place to live, because before long his brother Dougherty Smith purchased an adjoining five-acre parcel on the west side of Union near what is now Northeast Third Court. Both were born in Florida in the early 1880s, and both worked off and on for the coal mines. Dougherty Smith was a coal mine laborer for the Pacific Coast Coal Company around World War I. James was a mule driver in 1900—probably in the mines—and by 1920 he was a fireman on a stationary engine, a very responsible job that required ensuring the mine hoist could move men into the mine and coal out. This area would become a popular spot for African Americans working in the Newcastle mines; it was situated right off what was then sometimes called the “Renton to Newcastle” or “Renton to Issaquah” Road (now Sunset Highway). Robert Hart was another African-American mine worker. He and his wife Minnie, their daughter Ethel, and Minnie’s parents lived on part of the property that is now Heritage Park. Robert was a fireman in the mines in 1910 and a coal mine laborer in 1930. In addition, Henry Williams was a coal miner, Samuel A. Franklin was a coal mine engineer, and 5 Renton Historical Quarterly Renton's Hilltop Community continued on page 6 Part of the attraction of this area was the possi-bility of living off the land. The Hilltop’s ruralcharacter allowed residents to make money byraising livestock, fruits, and vegetables and sellingthem, sometimes even as far away as Seattle.“Pop” Emmett Simms came to the area in themid-1920s; he raised and sold vegetable from ahorse-drawn wagon in the Highlands, but he wasbest known for his barbecue pit.4 AudreyWeathers remembered how the neighborsexchanged food and services. “We pretty wellraised everything,” she recalled, “We raised pigs,cows, chickens and that. Mrs Beaver…she hadfruit trees. Mr. Hart, he did all the smoking.When you killed [a pig], he smoked [the meat].”5The 1930s saw an increase in the numbers ofAfrican Americans living in this area of “thecountry.” Beginning in 1929, the Depression exacerbated urban tensions in Seattle, not to mention urban poverty. Manysaw Renton’s countryside as an escape from these problems, yet still close enough to cities and towns that they could findemployment. The Simms, the Franklins, and the Satterfields were three young families that relocated to Renton’s country-side, where they were able to buy their own land, something that would have been more difficult, if not impossible, inSeattle. “Mother” Irene Grayson and her husband Alfred also moved out in the mid-1930s at her insistence; after herhusband and son lost their jobs, she wanted to live someplace where they could raise their own food. After four years ofpayments, the Graysons owned ten acres and a log cabin they built themselves. Mother Irene was well-known for the founding of one of the first African-American churches in the Highlands. She died in 1995, a day after her 107th birthday.6 First Honey Dew School building (photo taken in 1939). (Photo courtesyof Puget Sound Regional Branch, Washington State Archives, BellevueCommunity College.) Caption: First grade, Honey Dew School, 1958. 2nd row, center; Steven Shropshire; 3rd row, far right: Ethel Moore and Stanley Harris; 4th row, 2nd from right: David Smith; 5th row, far left: Jimmy McNeil. (Photo courtesy of Al and Candis Talley) SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2007 | 7 Audrey Weathers remembered how the neighbors exchanged food and services. “We pretty well raised everything,” she recalled, “We raised pigs, cows, chickens and that. Mrs Beaver…she had fruit trees. Mr. Hart, he did all the smoking. When you killed [a pig], he smoked [the meat].”5 The 1930s saw an increase in the numbers of African Americans living in this area of “the country.” Beginning in 1929, the Depression exacerbated urban tensions in Seattle, not to mention urban poverty. Many saw Renton’s countryside as an escape from these problems, yet still close enough to cities and towns that they could find employment. The Simms, the Franklins, and the Satterfields were three young families that relocated to Renton’s countryside, where they were able to buy their own land, something that would have been more difficult, if not impossible, in Seattle. “Mother” Irene Grayson and her husband Alfred also moved out in the mid-1930s at her insistence; after her husband and son lost their jobs, she wanted to live someplace where they could raise their own food. After four years of payments, the Graysons owned ten acres and a log cabin they built themselves. Mother Irene was well-known for the founding of one of the first African-American churches in the Highlands. She died in 1995, a day after her 107th birthday.6 Between 1940 and 1950, the African-American population in Washington state exploded from 7000 to 30,000, thanks to the World War II employment boom in ship and aircraft manufacture and steel production.7 Boeing Aircraft Company was one of the employers that recruited African Americans in the South to live and work in Renton. Many lived in “the projects,” but those with enough money to purchase property chose the Hilltop. Audrey Weathers remembered that her parents and four brothers and sisters moved back and forth from their home in Seattle to their home on Union Avenue during the war, while her dad, Nathaniel Weathers, worked in the shipyards. As a child she and her friends watched Paccar test tanks on the hill north of Greenwood Cemetery. “They never said anything to us because we were just kids,” she recalled. “They used to leave big wheel tracks in the street and drive them up from there into the factory…. They used to shoot them off into some kind of hill.”8 Others who arrived in the 1940s included Al Talley and Clyde Coleman Barfield, who later would sell his property to the city to help make Heritage Park possible. Clyde and Bernice Barfield arrived in the country in 1943. An employee of Howard S. Wright Construction Company for 35 years, Mr. Barfield was best remembered for his love of gardening. Neighbors recalled that Mr. Barfield was always willing to take anyone on a tour of his garden and no one walked away without some fresh vegetables. Mr. and Mrs. Barfield were both active in the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church.9 So much more of the story of this neighborhood remains to be told: What were the African-American coal miners lives like? Did the families who came here during the Depression have an easier time than in Seattle? What happened to the men when the World War II employment boom was Continued on page 10 First grade, Honey Dew School, 1957. 2nd row, center; Steven Shropshire; 3rd row, far right: Ethel Moore and Stanley Harris; 4th row, 2nd from right: David Smith; 5th row, far left: Jimmy McNeil. (Photo courtesy of Al and Candis Talley) 8 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM O n April 14, Liz Stewart, Benny Eisman (the museum’s exhibit intern) and I took a tour offered by the Cedar River Watershed Institute into the ghost town of Taylor, Washington. Taylor is located within the Cedar River Watershed and is accessible only by the tour offered by the Institute. Taylor was a company town that had both coal and clay mines. Denny-Renton Clay & Coal Co. had a large factory there that produced pipes and bricks. Taylor got its start in the late 1800s when clay and coal were discovered on a homestead. The land was quickly sold to the Puget Sound Fire Clay Company which later turned into DennyRenton. The town prospered during the early 1900s and seemed to be on the road to success. By the late 1920s, however, the coal had run out, and the city was COLLECTIONS REPORT by Sarah Iles, Collection Manager Sarah Iles Collection Manager Entrance of the coal mine at Taylor, WA, 1903. (RHM# 1969.005.0532)Brick produced at the Denny-Renton Clay & Coal Co. in Taylor, WA. under pressure to disband because it was now in the land designated for the Cedar River Watershed. In 1946 plans for dismantling the town were set in motion and by mid 1947 the town had all but disappeared. Though nature is slowly reclaiming the land where the town once stood, there is still ample evidence of human habitation. The picture below shows a brick found on the tour bearing the stamp “Renton.” At least three other types of bricks were present at the site along with some structural remains. Sadly, it is these remains of human habitation that make the site vulnerable. While we were at the site, we saw fresh evidence that someone had been illegally digging at the site. It is illegal to excavate archaeological sites in Washington state without a permit from the State Archaeologist’s Office. Information needs to be recorded about where artifacts are found (in situ) in order to understand them in the context of the site as a whole. Much, if not all, of this valuable information can be lost if individual people remove artifacts. Hopefully archaeology will one day be done at the site so we can all better understand what the lives of the people at Taylor were like. Until that time, we are all responsible for making sure that there will be history left to for the archaeologists to find. For more information on protecting archaeological sites and preventing looting in Washington, visit the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation site stewardship web page at: www.dahp.wa.gov/pages/Archaeology/ Stewardship.htm. The museum is excited to announce that it has received a Collections Assessment Program (CAP) Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The grant provides funding to have a preservation architect and a conservator assess both the museum's historic building and collections. The site MUSEUM RECEIVES CAP GRANT visits by these professionals will result in a report that will provide the museum with their expertise and recommendations for how the museum can improve and plan for the future. The report will also be used a valuable tool when applying for further grants. The site visits are scheduled for the fall of this year. COLLECTION SNAPSHOT This tricycle has been a resident of Renton since the late 1930s. The children of Richard and Margaret Clarke, who lived on Renton Hill, played with and enjoyed this tricycle for many years. This fun and valuable piece of Renton's history was donated earlier this year by Richard K. Clarke, Jr. MEMORIAL DONATIONS February 2007 - May 2007 SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2007 | 9 DONATIONS TO THE MEZZANINE PROJECT (COAL MINING & ROXY THEATRE EXHIBITS) Glenn H. Anderson (Boeing Gift Matching Program) John & Katherine Connell Gerald & Carole Edlund Richard Hoyt Noah Katka Cynthia Mack Ralph & Peggy Owen David Pickett (United Technologies Matching Fund) Dennis & Kathleen Stremick George & Jean Ziegenfuss DONATIONS TO THE MEZZANINE PROJECT OF $100 OR MORE Barbara Haugan George DONATIONS Avanti Baruah Bergquist Barbara Krohn Joyce Lindstrom Noah Katka Ellen Sandbo IN-KIND DONATIONS Cat's Eye Group Patty Adderson Robert G. Shanks Ann J. Belmondo John & Eleanor Bertagni Judy Zanga Bob & Rosie Prandi Rosemary McCaffrey Joan Artus Cain & Bob Aliment C. Floyd Hughes Janet & Bill Belmondo Robert & Margaret Wicks Beth & Mike Potoshnik Rachel Thomas Gerry, Carole & Marilyn Edlund Mario Belmondo Janet & Bill Belmondo Emery "Bob" Benson Roy & Norma Fournier Bob & Marilyn Ragle Maxine Fullerton Benson Roy & Norma Fournier Bob & Marilyn Ragle Mae Boldan Daisy Ward Conrad Chambers Gloria Duffey Dale Church Merna Lasco Gene Church Merna Lasco Lena Church Merna Lasco John D. Cline Dale & Patricia Gieseking Earl Clymer Vicki & Tom Utterstrom Olive Corey Dolores Hendricks Janet Henckle Ray Cotton Pythian Sisters Rhododendron #30 James Duffey Louise George Mary Fowler Pythian Sisters Rhododendron #30 Edna Garrett Robert & Gilda Youngquist Aaron Goodwin Richard & Patricia Sell Daisy Goodwin Richard & Patricia Sell Eva Goodwin Richard & Patricia Sell Lorraine Goodwin Richard & Patricia Sell Harry R. Hart Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Jean Hansen Hazelton Marilyn Tharp Clise Henry L. Herrick Carrie & Greg Bergquist Dan & Gloria Cartwright Leo Lasco Merna Lasco Josephine Mathewson Joe & Loretta Starkovich Greg & Carrie Bergquist Bea Mathewson Renette Saba Mark & Barbara Santos-Johnson Terri & Dennis Higashiyama Marie McDonald Pythian Sisters Rhododendron #30 Blanche Newberry Pythian Sisters Rhododendron #30 Dr. Bob Newman Loraine & Don Custer Jean Newman Loraine & Don Custer Gloria Reckling Nichols George & Frances Subic Bea Mathewson Jack Morrison Dorota Rahn Louise George Daisy Ward Roy & Norma Fournier Charles R. Petersen Emery Potoshnik Mike & Beth Potoshnik Debbie, George & Kari Blomberg George & Frances Subic Arlene & Al Bergemann Vaneta Anderson Peggy Potoshnik Arlene & Al Bergemann Vaneta Anderson Donna & Otto Gabrowsky M. & A. Zarbok Nicholas J. Puhich Mike & Beth Potoshnik Richard & Louise Major Snookie Hendricks Elinor Cline Riedlinger Patricia Hardie Borek Robert & Gilda Youngquist John D. & Charlotte Cline Adrian Rowe George & Frances Subic Beth & Mike Potoshnik Berniece Schwartz Gloria Nichols Virginia Secrest Richard & Patricia Sell Bruce Shuman Gloria Nichols Don Shuman Gloria Duffey Jesse H. Tanner Joe & Loretta Starkovich William G. Thomas Rachel Thomas Jack Wood Renton High School Class of 1944 Mario & Victor Tonda The Burrows Family Erma Zanga Janet & Bill Belmondo Joe Zanga Janet & Bill Belmondo MEMORIAL DONATIONS OF $100 OR MORE Gloria Reckling Nichols Ralph & Gertrude Shafar Raymond & Lisa Graham & family Jesse H. Tanner Lloyd Hoshide (with Boeing Matching Gift) Josephine Mathewson Jim & Char Baker Doug & Sonja Keyes Renton Historical Society Board Pyoung Su & Robert George Bonner, Sr. Renton Historical Society Board Renton High School Old Timer Alumni Association met for their annual banquet at the Renton Holiday Inn on Sunday, May 20th. There were 176 Renton High graduates from classes 1928 through 1946. Jack Gannon, Chairman of the Association, served as Master of Ceremonies. RHS OLD TIMER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 10 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM over? What were the children’s experiences in Honeydew and other schools? What kinds of businesses did the residents of the Hilltop start? We look forward to continuing this research, with the help of those who live there! vertical files, Renton History Museum). 3 Property Record files, Puget Sound Regional branch of the Washington State Archives, Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA. 4 “Emmett Simms,” in “Renton Hilltop 20th Year Celebration, 1974-1994,” program, Collection of Mrs. Leona Williams (copy in vertical files, Renton History Museum). 5 Audrey Weathers Oral History, 7 Mar 2002, RHM# 2002.067.003. 6 Jan Hinman, “Irene Grayson: From Hard Times to Good,” Renton Record- Chronicle, 21 May 1982; “In Remembrance of Mother Grayson,” in “Renton Hilltop 20th Year Celebration, 1974- 1994,” program, Collection of Mrs. Lavelle Weathers Swanigan (copy in vertical files, Renton History Museum). 7 Esther Hall Mumford, “Washington’s African American Communities,” chapter in Peoples of Washington: Perspectives on Culture Diversity, Sid White and S. E. Solberg, eds. (Pullman, WA: Washington State University, 1989), 77. 8 Audrey Weathers Oral History, 7 Mar 2002, RHM# 2002.067.003. 9 Obituary, Clyde C. Barfield, South King County Journal, 3 May 2002; Mrs. Leona Williams Oral History, 13 Nov 2006, RHM# 2006.059.005. Continued from page 7 PACCAR Sherman tanks being tested near the Hilltop, 1940s. (RHM# 2000.127.0967) ENDNOTES 1The territorial censuses for 1887 and 1889 list two Tecumseh families living in Renton, and “Indian Rodgers” is listed on the payroll of the Talbot Mine in 1881, along with “Indian Joe,” “Indian Jack,” and “Indian Bill.” Scrapbook #54, Talbot Mine Company ledger book, 1880-1881 (“Mining Ephemera” box), p.120, Renton History Museum. 2 1910 U.S. Census, Cedar River Precinct, www.ancestry.com. Kennydale was another convenient spot for African American coal miners and their families. Marcus Harding, born in British Guiana, worked in coal mines in Newcastle and Roslyn, and ultimately gave part of his Kennydale property for the construction of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Church. “Marcus M. Harding, A Coal Miner,” in “Renton Hilltop 20th Year Celebration, 1974- 1994,” program, Collection of Mrs. Lavelle Weathers Swanigan (copy in The Renton Lions Club holds an annual banquet to honor the Renton Pioneers, and this is always an outstanding event. This year, Floyd Hughes, Sr. was honored with Lions Club Medal of Merit for his decades of service to the Club and the Renton Community. Floyd is an active 99-year- FLOYD HUGHES HONORED SPECIAL REQUESTS old gentleman. He and his wife owned and operated the Renton Clothing Store on 3rd Street for more than thirty years, and he also led the Downtown Merchants Association. Our congratulations to Floyd for this very special honor. The museum is seeking the donation of one nearly- new sewing machine to assist in the proper storage of textiles and clothing, and the creation of exhibit materials. We are also looking for a donor willing to adopt the Museum's planter box around our new sign. The donor may do the work of planting and maintaining the planter themself, or may donate plants and flowers (about $200 twice a year, in the spring and fall). All donations are tax-deductible and are greatly appreciated! For more details call 425.255.2330 or email info@rentonhistory.org. SUMMER QUARTERLY, 2007 | 11 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 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 CVV code: Total: $ I would like to reflect for a moment on the contributions of the Renton History Museum volunteers. There are about fifty of them, although the exact number constantly changes, as some end their services and new ones join. But numbers are only one way of looking at volunteering. Another way is to look at particular people and at what they do for the museum. They have such a variety of different personalities. Some of our volunteers are shy, some are very outgoing, some are successfully retired, others are in search of a regular job. They all have one thing in common: they are trying to make a difference in our community and are looking for meaningful ways of doing it. Our museum is usually only one of the many places they volunteer. We are very fortunate that our volunteers choose our museum to invest their experience, skills, and time. They do an incredible job in supporting museum operations. At this year's Annual Meeting we recognized five of them for their special contributions. Carol Hawkins and Marian Sutton VOLUNTEER REPORT by Dorota Rahn, Volunteer & Education Coordinator Dorota Rahn Volunteer & Education Coordinator received Volunteer of the Year Awards. Carol has volunteered with the Renton History Museum for many years as a tour guide, greeter, and staffer of the museum booth during Renton River Days. She generously shares her historical expertise during docent training. She is always here when we need her. Carol also worked for two years on the Kennydale Elementary School photo project so that future generations will know the names of those represented in class photos from the 1950s almost to the present. Marian Sutton also received a Volunteer of the Year Award. She has spent countless hours making accurate on-the-spot transcriptions of oral histories, using her skills as a court reporter. Too humble to record her hours for many years, when she recently began putting her time on the volunteer timesheet, we realized what an extraordinary commitment of time and energy she has made. Not only does she type interviews with Rentonians, she personally visits them afterwards to correct mistakes, and brings the final version of the interview to their homes. The history of people living in Renton will not be forgotten thanks to her efforts and those of the rest of the Oral History Team. Ernest Lees, Betty Seligman, and Vivian Williams also received 2007 Award Certificates. Ernest has proved many times that we can count on him. He is a devoted greeter and ambassador of our museum. He tirelessly represents the museum during the annual Poker Tour. Betty Seligman joined us in a big way last year. She immediately started supporting our office on a weekly basis. We appreciate her professionalism and respect for other people. And last but not least is Vivian Williams. She helped prepare activities and served many hours at the museum booth during Renton River Days last year. She was very enthusiastic and professional. Her support was very important to the success of the event. All of our other volunteers also deserve mentioning. We will take time to present them in the Quarterly Newsletter in the future. We thank all of them for their service! RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM 235 Mill Ave. S Renton, WA 98057 IN HINDSIGHT... Harvey Delaurenti with Mike's Place 4th of July float, 1937. This float won second prize in the parade that year. (RHM #1966.028.0441)