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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 Issue 1 - Building Renton, George W CusterMarch 2008 Volume 39, Number 1 Masthead Photo: George W. Custer’s childhood home, ca. 1900. (#41.0113) Building Renton: George W. Custer, Carpenter & Contractor By Sarah Iles Few builders have been as prolific in Renton as George W. Custer. As a carpenter and contractor, Custer worked in Renton and the surrounding area for over fifty years. Many of his build- ings are still standing today, testa- ments to a time when carpentry and craftsmanship were artistic skills. A complete list of Custer’s buildings in Renton may never be known, but it is certain that Renton’s varied architec- tural fabric is richer because of Custer’s work. Growing Up George Washington Custer was born in Newcastle, Washington on July 4, 1879. He was the second son born to Washington pioneers Charles S. Custer and Susan Jane (Harris) Custer. The family moved to Renton soon after George’s birth. Details of Custer ’s early years are sparse. He grew up on Main Street in a Victorian house that his father built in 1880. Custer attended Central School and he graduated from the 8th grade in 1896.1 His class was small; he was one of only six students (all male) that graduated. Building Renton continued on page 4 Right: George W. Custer, 1896. (RHM#2000.127.8346) Renton Historical Quarterly 2 Renton Historical Quarterly Susie Bressan, Graphic Design & Layout Louise George, Copy Editor Daisy Ward, Text Input & Copy Editor Karl Hurst, City of Renton Print and Mail Services Renton Historical Society Board of Trustees Bob Hunt, President Sandra Meyer, Vice President Elizabeth P. Stewart, Secretary Paula Tran, Treasurer Kevin McQuiller, '08 Ron Stroben '08 Susie Bressan '09 Laura Clawson, '09 Doug Kyes, '09 Martha Zwicker, '09 Robin Baches '10 Larry Sleeth, '10 Terri Briere, City Liaison Museum Staff Elizabeth P. Stewart, Museum Director Daisy Ward, Administrative Assistant Dorota Rahn, Volunteer Coordinator Tom Monahan, Research Specialist Sarah Iles, Collection Manager Pearl Jacobson, Registrar Louise George, Secretary Renton History Museum 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425.255.2330 FAX: 425.255.1570 Board Meetings: Please call the museum for time and location. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Admission:$3 for adults $1 for children Always free to members and to the general public on the first Wednesday and third Saturday of the month. Renton Museum Report By Elizabeth P. Stewart Many of you probably saw the Seattle Times and Renton Reporter articles about the launch of our coal mine car reconstruction project. The coal car is one of the Museum’s most important objects, and we discovered last year that it was in desperate need of conservation. Last fall 4Culture, the heritage and arts agency funded by the King County lodging tax, awarded the Museum a grant to work with the Northwest Railway Museum (NRM) on a historic reconstruction of the mine car. This means that railway car experts Bill Hall, NRM’s Collection Care Manager, and Richard Anderson, NRM Director, have been studying our mine car, comparing it to historic photographs, consulting with others knowledgeable about mine cars, all in an effort to restore it as closely as possible to what it would have looked like when it started its life in the mines. Bill Hall has been explaining to Museum staff how every bolt, iron strap, and board tells us something about how these cars were engineered, built, and then used in the mines. This is true of most objects in museum collections—every part has a story to tell—which makes this project all the more important. Preservation and conservation done to the highest standards can be time- consuming and expensive, which makes some folks resistant to the idea. When money and time are tight, it can seem wasteful to put so much energy into historic artifacts. People can even disagree about what is worth saving— witness the recent debate about preserving the Manning’s Cafeteria Building in Ballard (AKA Denny’s), a 1964 restaurant built in a popular architectural style known as “Googie” or “Populuxe.” At what point is an object or a building old enough or significant enough to warrant preservation? In the case of our coal mine car, because it is one of the few owned by a museum and because of the importance of coal mining to Renton’s economy, it is clearly worth saving. In the case of Manning’s Cafete- ria, despite its youth the building is worthy of rescue because its futuristic building style embodied the Seattle spirit in the 1960s. Both provide invaluable insight into our heritage that enriches our lives, making their preservation worth- while. To learn more about preservation, you can follow the progress of the coal mine car reconstruction on our website at http://www.rentonwa.gov/living/ default.aspx?id=13330. We hope to be able to install the mine car in our main gallery in April as a feature of the When Coal Was King exhibit. Watch this space! 3 Renton Historical Quarterly Coal Car Moves to Railway Museum for Reconstruction One of the Museum’s most exciting projects this year is the restoration—or reconstruction, to be more accurate—of our early 20th-century coal mine car. You can follow the progress of this project and download a flyer about the project on our website at http://www.rentonwa.gov/living/ default.aspx?id=13330, but here’s a brief update. The coal mine car is one of the Museum’s most significant objects, both in size and in the story it tells. Coal mining gave Renton’s economy its start in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the coal car serves as a reminder of how physically hard and dangerous this work was for miners. When we discovered that weather had damaged the car beyond simple repair, we consulted the experts at the Northwest Railway Museum (NRM) in Snoqualmie. NRM has a new state-of-the-art Conservation Center, and staff and volunteers familiar with the Secretary of the Interior ’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Structures. A grant from 4Culture’s Heritage Special Projects Fund made it possible to contract with NRM to have the car reconstructed to look more like it would have when it began its life in the mines. NRM Collection Care Manager Bill Hall and Director Richard Anderson have been painstakingly studying the car since late January. They will soon begin taking the car apart. Watch the website for more information about the project and public programs about it! Below: Bill Hall, trustee Larry Sleeth, , and Liz Stewart prepare to take the coal mine car to Snoqualmie. Above: Renton History Museum’s coal car takes its temporary place in the Conservation Center next to a caboose and a chapel car. Renton Historical Quarterly 4 Though his formal education ended there, he continued training in what was to be his life’s trade: carpentry. Custer ’s father Charles was clearly a capable carpenter. The house he built on Main Street stood for almost ninety years before it was condemned and razed in 1969.2 Charles S. Custer’s main occupation, however, was running his general and hard- ware store. Custer likely learned his carpentry mastery from his father and his uncle, George Seward Custer. George S. Custer is listed in census records as a carpenter. His tools were passed down to George W. Custer; several tools found in George W. Custer ’s belongings bear the initials “G. S. C.” These tools are much older than the others in Custer’s tool collection and are fine examples of craftsmanship themselves. “We have a pretty tough place up here” Two years after his graduation, seventeen-year-old Custer had made his way up to Skagway, Alaska. He had gone north with thousands of others as a part of the Klondike Gold Rush. His goal was not to seek his fortune by mining gold; Custer was there to make his money in the service industry. The massive migration into Alaska spurred the development of several boomtowns. Skagway, Dyea, and Dawson were all towns that experienced overnight growth. Someone had to build these towns and Custer struck a path north in hope of being that someone. Reality, however, quickly sunk in once he arrived in Skagway. “There is not much carpenter work going on here at present. We are thinking of going over to the Lakes in a few weeks and try Boat building for a while. There is about [sic] 5 people for every job here.”3 George W. Custer to his cousin, Bert H. Harris, Skagway, Alaska March 8, 1898 Custer ’s stay in the north was short, and he likely returned sometime in 1900. After his time in Alaska, Custer probably worked for others in the Renton area honing his carpentry skills. He also became Renton’s first City Clerk, serving from September 10, 1901 to January 5, 1904.4 Custer ’s 8th grade education was rare during that time and was likely the impetus for his appointment as clerk. Custer’s life became even busier in late 1902 when he married fellow Rentonite Annie Lewis. Traveling Man: Construction Away From Home After years of working for others, Custer set out on his own by 1906. Ledgers in the Museum’s collection trace his construction projects from 1906 well into the 1950s. Most of his early jobs took him away from Renton. Mining and logging towns were the sites of most of his building activities until the 1930s. Barneston, Black Diamond, Burnett, Carbonado, Cumberland, Kerriston, Ravensdale, and Taylor are all towns that at one time or another hosted Custer construc- tion projects. Building Renton continued from page 1 Administrator's House, Taylor, ca 1906. (RHM#2000.127.8676) 5 Renton Historical Quarterly Many of these towns were “company towns,” towns that were owned and built by either a mining or logging com- pany. Land was quickly cleared and identical houses were quickly built in rows. Later they were rented by the miners’ and loggers’ families. Industrial and commercial buildings were also constructed. Contractors built mills, sheds, stores, administrators’ homes, and even hotels. Contracts to build in company towns were likely quite attractive to Custer ’s fledgling business. They were fairly large con- tracts and ensured work for his crew for months at a time. Custer was a meticulous bookkeeper and also took photo- graphs during and after many of his construction projects. Many of these photographs from the company towns are all that remain. Once the timber or the coal played out, the reason these small towns existed ceased to be. Barneston and Taylor both fell victim to their geography. Both towns were located in the area that eventually became the Cedar River Watershed. Concerns about keeping Seattle’s water supply clean led to both towns being abandoned and razed, Barneston in 1924, and Taylor in 1947. 5 Below: Houses, Kerriston, 1909. (RHM#2000.127.8715) Above: Mill Construction, Kerriston, 1909. (RHM#2000.127.8706) Building Renton continued on page 6 Renton Historical Quarterly 6 Coming Home Beginning in the mid-1920s, Custer’s projects began to slowly shift closer to home. By that time his family had grown, with the addition of a son, Charles Lewis Custer, born in 1912. His work in Renton began with a few residences, mostly for friends and family, and buildings for non-profits, such as the Masonic and Odd Fellows Halls. By the 1930s Custer ’s work was almost exclusively in Renton. He continued building residences and, in the 1940s and 1950s, he also began building and remodeling whole city blocks in downtown Renton. The “Nannie Evans” block on the south side of Third, between Main and Wells, was constructed by Custer in 1938-1939 and subsequent work was completed in 1949 and 1952.6 Unlike the elaborate Victorian home that he grew up in, Custer built almost exclusively in the Craftsman style. A reaction to the ornateness of the Victorian style of architecture, Craftsman architecture relies on clean lines, simplicity and sturdi- ness, and natural materials. Custer ’s own home, built in 1902, is a perfect illustration of this building style. The house was originally built at 203 Wells Avenue for his bride Annie. A subsequent remodel sometime around 1909 significantly altered the appearance of the exterior of the house. In 1941, an expanding downtown prompted Custer to move his house farther north on Wells Avenue. A series of photographs in the Museum’s Custer-Lewis Collection documents the arduous process of jacking the house up off its foundation and moving it up the street to its new lot. The Custer house remained in the family’s possession until the death of Charles L. Custer in 2000. The house is now owned by another family and is still a wonderful example of George W. Custer’s carpentry craftsmanship. Below: Custer House, pre-1909. (RHM#2000.127.8456) Above: Custer house, post-remodel, ca 1915. (Charles L. Custer in foreground.) (RHM#2000.127.8459) Building Renton continued from page 5 7 Renton Historical Quarterly Several other residences built by Custer still stand in Renton today. Homes built for families with familiar Renton names, such as “Dobson,” “Cugini,” and “Wilson,” stand today in the Renton flats as a testament to Custer ’s prolific building career. The building formerly known as the “Sweet Center” in Liberty Park was also constructed by Custer. The building, put up for the City, was constructed in 1922 using volunteers. The building was originally used as a concessions stand for the Park and offered both lunches and “sweets.” This building still stands at the west end of Liberty Park and is one of the oldest buildings owned by the City of Renton. Custer kept building well into his late years. His ledgers document projects into 1959 when he was 80. Two years later, Custer was honored by the Rotary Club of Renton for his many years of service to the community.7 Custer died suddenly from a heart attack in 1963.8 He is buried next to his wife, Annie, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Historic Preservation As Renton continues to grow and change, more of Custer’s work will likely be threatened by the way of progress. The City of Renton does not have a historic preservation plan, so the survival of these buildings will depend solely upon the owners and their goodwill. While progress and change are necessary, it is also important for Renton to remember where it came from. Custer’s buildings are now historical and are visual reminders of Renton’s architecture from the early and middle 1900s. Hopefully, many of his buildings will survive as fine examples of Craftsman architecture and will serve to remind future generations about Renton’s early days as a growing city. Below: Relocation of the Custer house, December 1941. (RHM#2000.127.8472) 1 Renton Public Schools 1855-6 Graduating Exercises Program, RHM #2000.127.0924. 2 “Timbers Begin to Fall at Custer Home,” Record-Chronicle, June 27, 1969, p.1. 3 George W. Custer to Bert H. Harris, March 8, 1898, RHM# 2000.127.0895. 4 City of Renton Listings of City Officials 1901- 1978 (Renton: City Clerk’s Office, 1978), 69. 5 “Barneston — Thumbnail History,” HistoryLink.org Essay 2489, http:// www.historylink.org/essays/ output.cfm?file_id=2489, January 8, 2008; Morda C. Slauson. One Hundred Years Along the Cedar (Renton: published by the author, 1971), 73. 6 Sarah Iles, Custer-Lewis Collection Cataloging Project, Renton History Museum, Renton, Washington, M.A. thesis, University of Washington, 2005 pp. 55-56. 7 “Rotary Honors Builder For Community Service,” Renton News Record, January 19, 1961, n.p. (“Custer Family,” Vertical file, Renton History Museum). 8 “G. W. Custer, Renton, Dies,” Seattle Post- Intelligencer, February 2, 1963, n.p. Above: Sweet Center at Liberty Park, ca 1930. RHM#1986.060.2201 Renton Historical Quarterly 8 Volunteer Report and Education Report By Dorota Rahn, Volunteer and Education Coordinator Dear museum members and volunteers, I want to thank everybody who supports our education programs either by attending speaker presentations at our museum or by participating in docent training sessions and subsequently serving as tour guides. We do want to make a difference in our community by teaching about different aspects of Renton history and the surrounding area. The Renton Historical Society members and volunteers already support the museum by paying membership dues, donating money, and providing their time and skills. Those who come for our programs and events make an additional effort to show that what we do really matters. They are also open to different interpretations of the Renton history, no matter how unfamiliar they may seem. They become better citizens of this country by learning the history of the place they live in and by teaching about it. This is why it is crucial to us to have more of you come to our 2008 Spring Speaker Program. Bring your children, grandchildren, and their friends on the second Saturday of the month to enjoy history at our museum. Our speakers make sure that nobody gets bored while celebrating Black History Month or commemorating Women’s History Month. It is important that young people hear, in a fun and interesting way, about the struggles previous generations went through so that African Americans and women could gain equal rights. We will also explore American Roots Music, the music that provided the foundation for present-day blues and rock music. On the second Tuesday of the month high school students and adults can celebrate Earth Day by hearing the story of Rachel Carson, our country’s first environmentalist, or witnessing the story of a young Swedish immigrant to the Northwest at the turn of the 19th century. African American, Asian, and Native American themes were a part of people’s experience in the past and they still are a part of our current life. Knowing the past is such a reassuring element for our current decisions. This is what makes us more open-minded and considerate to other people throughout our whole life. If I can convince any of you to spend an additional one hour at the museum at least once this spring it will be a big step towards accomplishing the Renton Historical Society mission. My own knowledge of Renton history and the history of the U.S. grows in an unprecedented way thanks to the wonderful speakers whom I have the privilege to invite to our museum. You can find out details about our speaker program from the flyer, our website www.rentonhistory.org or simply call us at 425.255.2330. See everybody at our Spring 2008 Speaker Program!!! 9 Renton Historical Quarterly Renton History Museum Spring 2008 Speaker Program Kids’ Programs, second Saturday of the month. Audience: elementary through adult. March 8th at 11:00 a.m. Commemoration of Women’s History Month. Naomi Baltuck presents Windows in Time. Ms. Baltuck shares stories of her friend Beth Jacobsen, who was a little girl growing up in Seattle at the turn of the 20th century. She tells these stories through the eyes of a very young girl whose father cleared the land to build one of the first houses to go up in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood. April 12th at 11:00 a.m. American Roots Music: A Sonic Adventure of Continen-tal Proportions. Brian Pertl will take the audience on a lively exploration of American Roots Music, the lively music that stretches from African-American field hollers to present-day blues and rock music. Mr. Pertl explores little-known ethnic traditions ranging from Conjunto and Cajun to Appalachian and Native American music forms. Youth and Adult Programs, second Tuesday of the month. Audience: high school through adult March 11th at 4:30 p.m. Commemoration of Women’s History Month. Living Voices presents Hear My Voice. Share the experience of one young woman whose efforts and sacrifices earn her a special place in history as she participated in the 72-year-long struggle to win half of America’s citizens the right to vote. April 8th at 4:30 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day early! Debbie Dimitre presents Rachel Carson. In this one- woman documentary drama, actress/storyteller Debbie Dimitre brings to life one of our country’s first environmen- talists, Rachel Carson, writer, scientist, marine biologist, and activist. Dedicated to educating people about nature and environmental issues, Carson hoped that through increased awareness we would all work together to make our planet a healthier place to live. May 13th at 4:30 p.m. Northwest Passages. The first generation of immigrants to the Northwest. Living Voices presents North- west Passages. Witness the dynamically changing Northwest at the turn of the 19th century through the story of Julia Berg from Sweden. This young Swedish immi- grant and her community experience the expansion of the railroad, the discovery of gold, labor struggles, and World War I. As she interacts with her African American, Asian, and Native American neighbors, you’ll discover with her the diversity of the American experience. Renton Historical Quarterly 10 From the Collections Department… By Sarah Iles, Collection Manager Our very first donation in 2008 was a photograph in wonderful condition donated by Louise Delaurenti George. The photograph is of her grandparents’ family. Stephen Giovanelli emigrated from Italy around 1882. He settled in Roslyn where he met and married Catherine Zucca, another Italian immigrant. Stephen worked in the coal mines of Roslyn while Catherine set about raising their growing family. They had four children in Roslyn before they moved to Renton around 1899. Felix Giovanelli was born in 1889 and was a coal miner like his father; he also worked as a brakeman on the railroads. Livia Giovanelli was born in 1891 and lived all over western Washington before passing away in 1972. Born in 1892, Steve H. Giovanelli never married and was a semi-pro baseball player. Matilda Giovanelli was born in 1894. She married Fiorenzo Delaurenti in 1916 and had three daughters: Louise, Florence, and Gloria. Above: Giovanelli family in Roslyn, Washington, ca 1899. Left to right: Stephen Giovanelli, Steve H. Giovanelli, Livia Giovanelli, Felix Giovanelli, Matilda Giovanelli (Delaurenti), Catherine (Zucca) Giovanelli 11 Renton Historical Quarterly Planned Giving Series Part 4: Gifts of Real EstateBy Sandra Meyer, Endowment Chair The last time we had provided a planned giving article was in the March 2007 newsletter. In that publication we discussed how life insurance could play a role in planned giving. In this article we cover another available giving method, real estate. The follow- ing information is a modified version of information prepared by Planned Giving Services in Seattle. It has been modified consistent with the new Renton Historical Society Endowment Policy adopted in the last quarter of 2007. This revised policy will be put on the Renton Historical Society’s website in the near future. GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE During the period 2000-2002, while stock values declined, real estate prices generally held steady or increased. This largely resulted from low mortgage rates but also from the fact that people had pulled money out of stocks and invested it in real estate. In late 2007 and into 2008, stocks have been experi- encing large fluctuations and there is talk of flat to slow growth in the near term. Some experts even predict a recession, although by the time of this publication events may prove otherwise. Most investors hold less money in stocks as they grow older, since investors want stability of income once they are retired and living on a fixed income. Until now, stocks have generally under-performed real estate. With the exception of Washington state, statistics have shown that the rest of the country is currently in a housing recession. Just read any newspaper today and you will hear this stated and backed up by real estate declines spurred on by the subprime mar- ket-lending crisis. It is unclear whether we will avoid this same situation in Washington state. We have been lucky so far. Right now, some local individuals might be interested in plans that enable them to lock in their gains without being currently taxed on them. This consideration, plus the simple fact that real estate accounts for a large portion of the net worth of most donors, makes this a particularly appropri- ate time to emphasize real estate gifts. Conceptually, an outright gift of real estate is a simple transaction effected by means of a deed. In practice, however, there can be any number of steps the donor and the charity will need to take before the transfer is finalized. There are also numerous ways to donate real estate: through a charitable remainder trust; part sale, part gift; or bargain sale, in which the property is sold to the property at below-market price and the donor deducts the difference. Some instruments, such as a charitable remainder trust, can ensure a lifetime income stream; the nonprofit receives the remainder after the donor ’s death. It is important to work with a nonprofit such as the Renton Historical Society throughout the process, to be sure the donation is manageable. Before accepting gifts of real estate, the Renton Historical Society would welcome a chance to review the proposed donation and approve acceptance. If you are considering making a charitable real estate donation to the Renton Historical Society check with your personal tax accountant and get legal advice from an advisor well- versed in philanthropy law, such as Planned Giving Services in Seattle. Contributions to theContributions to theContributions to theContributions to theContributions to the Endowment FEndowment FEndowment FEndowment FEndowment Fundundundundund The Boeing Matching Gift Program (Lloyd Hoshide in memory of Fumiko Hoshide) Glenn H. Anderson Sandra & Rex Meyer General DonationsGeneral DonationsGeneral DonationsGeneral DonationsGeneral Donations Under $100Under $100Under $100Under $100Under $100 Joseph & Marjorie Avolio Jim & Char Baker Bill BauderHelenanne Botham Cynthia Buster-Burns Mary Delaurenti ChamblinDan & Laura Clawson Bert & Shirley Custer Trudy DasovickGerald & Carole Edlund James & Carolyn Fenner Rosemarie FliseckWendell & Cleo Forgaard John Giuliani Marjorie GouldRaymond & Lisa Graham Stanley & RoseMary Greene Don & Judy GundersonAgnes Hansen Barbara Harris Carol HawkinsJean Hobart Richard H. Hoyt Pauline H. KirkmanOlga M. Lewis Bob & Roberta Logue Cynthia MackJudith Matson George & Gloria Mehrens Wesley & Velma MelvilleJune L. Morrow Sue Neve Rich & Becky NickelsR. Harlen Petermeyer Dave & Mary Pugh Betty RichardsSally Rochelle Fred & Louisa Schlotfeldt Bettijane & Jerry ShepardJerry & Barbara Shellan Elizabeth P. Stewart George & Frances SubicRachel Thomas Betty Warren Agnes & Judith WhiteWayne & Janet Wicks James & Mary Williams Pearl Howard Wolf $100 and over$100 and over$100 and over$100 and over$100 and over Nancy Fairman Beatrice Mathewson Naomi MathisenMargaret Sebelist $200 and over$200 and over$200 and over$200 and over$200 and over Marvin & Patricia HurtgenMargarita Prentice Renton Historical Quarterly 12 In Kind GiftsIn Kind GiftsIn Kind GiftsIn Kind GiftsIn Kind Gifts Mrs. Hazel NewingPortable sewing machine to be used by the Collection Manager Sarah Iles Robert Hunt Cordless Drill to be used forbuilding exhibits Bill CollinsMine Map Reproductions Norm AbrahamsonSupplies to complete the fireplace in Coal Exhibit News of Note... Happy Birthday toHappy Birthday toHappy Birthday toHappy Birthday toHappy Birthday to Floyd HughesFloyd HughesFloyd HughesFloyd HughesFloyd Hughes cccccelebrating hiselebrating hiselebrating hiselebrating hiselebrating his 100100100100100th th th th th birthday!birthday!birthday!birthday!birthday! Please Choose Membership Category & Any Donation You Wish To Make: ppppp Student/Teacher Individual ($12)________ ppppp Senior Individual ($12)________ ppppp Individual ($20)________ ppppp Senior Couple ($20)________ ppppp Family ($30)________ ppppp Patron Benefactor ($100)________ ppppp Business ($100)________ ppppp Corporate ($100)________ ppppp Life ($500) One Time Only ________ (partially tax deductible) p General Fund Donation ________ p Endowment Fund Donation ________ In Memory of: Total enclosed:_____________ Join the Renton Historical Society Today! Name:__________________________________________________________ Membership Level:________________________________________________ Business Name:__________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________ City:State:__________________________Zip:____________+ 4 (______) Please make checks payable to the Renton Historical Society. VISA/MASTERCARD #__________________________Ex.Date:_________ Your Signature:_______________________________________________ p Please share your e-mail address with us:__________________________ p Please send me a volunteer application form. (32/1) Mail To:Membership Secretary, Renton Historical Society 235 Mill Avenue South, Renton, Washington 98057-2133 New MembershipsNew MembershipsNew MembershipsNew MembershipsNew Memberships Jake Herron familyMike DeYoung family MarciaLee Berg Lori & Ray GiomettiDiane Gaylord family Jack K. Gannon Lee & Joanne GregoryLarry Sleeth King & Bunny Parker Diane BakerWesley VanDoren Barbara Rowe Dick Stredicke FFFFFriendly Rriendly Rriendly Rriendly Rriendly Reminder!eminder!eminder!eminder!eminder! Membership Dues Notices were mailed out in November. Please check your membership status and if your 2008 membership has not been paid, please make payment soon so that we do not have the expense of sending a second notice. Save the DateSave the DateSave the DateSave the DateSave the Date The Renton High School Old Timers Association will hold their annual banquet on Sunday, May 18th at the Renton Holiday Inn. Classes 1918 through 1947 will be invited. Invitations will be mailed out in the near future by the class representatives. Anyone seeking additional information regarding the banquet, please call Chairman Mario Tonda, 425.255.7509. 13 Renton Historical Quarterly Obituaries (December 7, 2007 to February 12, 2008)Z denotes former Society Life Member % denotes former Society member James FJames FJames FJames FJames F. Albr. Albr. Albr. Albr. Albrechtechtechtechtecht SharSharSharSharSharon Leeon Leeon Leeon Leeon Lee Bruer AllenBruer AllenBruer AllenBruer AllenBruer Allen FlorFlorFlorFlorFlorence Stewartence Stewartence Stewartence Stewartence Stewart AndersonAndersonAndersonAndersonAnderson MargarMargarMargarMargarMargaret Ret Ret Ret Ret R..... AndersonAndersonAndersonAndersonAnderson AAAAAyako Bidmanyako Bidmanyako Bidmanyako Bidmanyako Bidman Kathleen L. BrunettiKathleen L. BrunettiKathleen L. BrunettiKathleen L. BrunettiKathleen L. Brunetti FlorFlorFlorFlorFlorence Damonence Damonence Damonence Damonence Damon CulpCulpCulpCulpCulp Eda REda REda REda REda R. Delaur. Delaur. Delaur. Delaur. Delaurentientientientienti RRRRRobert Dickinsonobert Dickinsonobert Dickinsonobert Dickinsonobert Dickinson MargarMargarMargarMargarMargaret “Peggy” Dierstet “Peggy” Dierstet “Peggy” Dierstet “Peggy” Dierstet “Peggy” Dierst RRRRRobert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D. David M. HavlicekDavid M. HavlicekDavid M. HavlicekDavid M. HavlicekDavid M. Havlicek Aune JohannaAune JohannaAune JohannaAune JohannaAune Johanna HepokoskiHepokoskiHepokoskiHepokoskiHepokoski Philip “Sam” HillPhilip “Sam” HillPhilip “Sam” HillPhilip “Sam” HillPhilip “Sam” Hill MargarMargarMargarMargarMargaret G. Houseret G. Houseret G. Houseret G. Houseret G. Houser Stanley J. JonesStanley J. JonesStanley J. JonesStanley J. JonesStanley J. Jones Marie LarsenMarie LarsenMarie LarsenMarie LarsenMarie Larsen WWWWWilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwell Ellen FEllen FEllen FEllen FEllen F. Matthai. Matthai. Matthai. Matthai. Matthai DrDrDrDrDr. Thomas E. Maxwell. Thomas E. Maxwell. Thomas E. Maxwell. Thomas E. Maxwell. Thomas E. Maxwell Donald WDonald WDonald WDonald WDonald W. Mer. Mer. Mer. Mer. Merrittrittrittrittritt Joyce M. OlsonJoyce M. OlsonJoyce M. OlsonJoyce M. OlsonJoyce M. Olson DarDarDarDarDar yl Tyl Tyl Tyl Tyl T. Orseth. Orseth. Orseth. Orseth. Orseth Agnes J. PAgnes J. PAgnes J. PAgnes J. PAgnes J. Pascoeascoeascoeascoeascoe Ethel E. REthel E. REthel E. REthel E. REthel E. Reedeedeedeedeed TTTTToni C. Roni C. Roni C. Roni C. Roni C. Reineineineinein Michael J. Riley IIIMichael J. Riley IIIMichael J. Riley IIIMichael J. Riley IIIMichael J. Riley III RRRRRandall Randall Randall Randall Randall Rockhillockhillockhillockhillockhill James D. RJames D. RJames D. RJames D. RJames D. Rosaosaosaosaosa RRRRRalph Falph Falph Falph Falph F. Shafar. Shafar. Shafar. Shafar. Shafar MarMarMarMarMar y Spunaugley Spunaugley Spunaugley Spunaugley Spunaugle George ZiegenfussGeorge ZiegenfussGeorge ZiegenfussGeorge ZiegenfussGeorge Ziegenfuss Z % % Z % The Renton Historical Society recently lost three of its Life Members who made outstanding contributors to the Renton community. Florence Damon Culp, 99, graduated from Renton High in 1926, became postmistress in 1930 for 35 years, and was a recognized mountaineer and swimmer. Randy Rockhill, 91, who came to Renton in 1940, was Renton High band director from 1939 to 1964. He served as the school district’s music supervi- sor and as program manager for the Cultural Enrichment Program for Washington State. He served one term on the Renton City Council. He helped found the Renton Community Band in 1984 and played in concerts until the summer of 2007. Margaret Anderson, 90, spent 50 years with the Renton School District teaching at various levels in math and music. She served as Renton District Director of Fine Arts and held every elected office in the Washington Music Educator’s Association. She was instrumental in bringing the Seattle Sym- phony Family Concert Series to Renton in 1956, and helped found the original Allied Arts of Renton and the Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra. Renton Historical Quarterly 14 RentoniansRememberedFlorFlorFlorFlorFlorence Stewart Andersonence Stewart Andersonence Stewart Andersonence Stewart Andersonence Stewart Anderson Louie & Pam Barei; Mr. & Mrs. Bert Nord Lee AndersonLee AndersonLee AndersonLee AndersonLee Anderson Florence Murray RRRRRena Crena Crena Crena Crena Crosariol Beckosariol Beckosariol Beckosariol Beckosariol Beck Rachel Thomas; Katie Gilligan DolorDolorDolorDolorDolores Behringeres Behringeres Behringeres Behringeres Behringer Katie Gilligan Jenny BozzelloJenny BozzelloJenny BozzelloJenny BozzelloJenny Bozzello Margaret Vanni Douglas BuckDouglas BuckDouglas BuckDouglas BuckDouglas Buck Palmer Coking Coal Co. Dale ChurDale ChurDale ChurDale ChurDale Churchchchchch A. Lee & Merna Wheeler Lena ChurLena ChurLena ChurLena ChurLena Churchchchchch A.Lee & Merna Wheeler John ColaneriJohn ColaneriJohn ColaneriJohn ColaneriJohn Colaneri Katie Gilligan Annie PetersonAnnie PetersonAnnie PetersonAnnie PetersonAnnie Peterson DelaurDelaurDelaurDelaurDelaurentientientientienti Katie Gilligan Eda DelaurEda DelaurEda DelaurEda DelaurEda Delaurentientientientienti Louise George, Florence Delaurenti; Gloria Duffey; Angeline Molinaro; Dorlene Bressan; Mary & Louis Sutter; Mary Breda; Bob & Roberta Logue; Peter & Arlene Kogut; Marilyn Tharp Clise Diane FDiane FDiane FDiane FDiane Forororororddddd Florence Murray MildrMildrMildrMildrMildred Fed Fed Fed Fed Faullaullaullaullaull Charles & Cassandra Cooley PPPPPatti Gilliganatti Gilliganatti Gilliganatti Gilliganatti Gilligan Katie Gilligan RRRRRobert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D.obert Gilligan, M.D. Katie Gilligan; Greg & Carrie Bergquist; Louise Bertozzi; Louise George; Dan & Gloria Cartwright; A. Lee & Merna Wheeler; VincentSpadafora; Kenneth Brayboy; Janie Irish; Barbara Goodenough; Ada Marie Multari, M.D., Ruth Ward Sean GilliganSean GilliganSean GilliganSean GilliganSean Gilligan Katie Gilligan PPPPP. E. (Skip) Gunderson. E. (Skip) Gunderson. E. (Skip) Gunderson. E. (Skip) Gunderson. E. (Skip) Gunderson Sharon & Ron Clymer; Sarah Jane & Bruce Hisey Ann HamlinAnn HamlinAnn HamlinAnn HamlinAnn Hamlin Florence Murray George HannahGeorge HannahGeorge HannahGeorge HannahGeorge Hannah Florence Murray Louise HannahLouise HannahLouise HannahLouise HannahLouise Hannah Florence Murray HarHarHarHarHarold Johnsonold Johnsonold Johnsonold Johnsonold Johnson Katie Gilligan: Ruth Ward Stanley JonesStanley JonesStanley JonesStanley JonesStanley Jones Gayle & Warren Jones; Louise George; Don & Pearl Jacobson; Steve & Lynn Anderson; Bruce &Sarah Jane Hisey; Al & Shirley Armstrong WWWWWilliam J. Killiam J. Killiam J. Killiam J. Killiam J. Koshakoshakoshakoshakoshak Verna Koshak Marie L. LarsenMarie L. LarsenMarie L. LarsenMarie L. LarsenMarie L. Larsen Richard & Corinne Lucotch WWWWWilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwellilliam K. Longwell Greg & Carrie Bergquist WWWWWilliam MacDonaldilliam MacDonaldilliam MacDonaldilliam MacDonaldilliam MacDonald Lillian Rosenstrom Ellen FEllen FEllen FEllen FEllen F. Matthai. Matthai. Matthai. Matthai. Matthai Katie Gilligan Hilda McGarrigleHilda McGarrigleHilda McGarrigleHilda McGarrigleHilda McGarrigle Martin & Marilyn Hemmann WWWWWilliam McGarilliam McGarilliam McGarilliam McGarilliam McGarrigleriglerigleriglerigle Martin & Marilyn Hemmann MarMarMarMarMary McGuinnessy McGuinnessy McGuinnessy McGuinnessy McGuinness Katie Gilligan Donald WDonald WDonald WDonald WDonald W. Mer. Mer. Mer. Mer. Merrittrittrittrittritt Judith Zanga; Ron & Sharon Clymer; Al & Shirley Armstrong Michael FMichael FMichael FMichael FMichael F. Miller. Miller. Miller. Miller. Miller Bertha Miller James MurrayJames MurrayJames MurrayJames MurrayJames Murray Florence Murray Shirley NewingShirley NewingShirley NewingShirley NewingShirley Newing Peter & Hazel Newing Gloria NicholsGloria NicholsGloria NicholsGloria NicholsGloria Nichols Diane Baker Joyce OlsonJoyce OlsonJoyce OlsonJoyce OlsonJoyce Olson Gloria Duffey Elizabeth Duke PiciniElizabeth Duke PiciniElizabeth Duke PiciniElizabeth Duke PiciniElizabeth Duke Picini Kenneth Picini Barney PoliBarney PoliBarney PoliBarney PoliBarney Poli Florence Murray Dan PoliDan PoliDan PoliDan PoliDan Poli Florence Murray Esterina PoliEsterina PoliEsterina PoliEsterina PoliEsterina Poli Florence Murray MarMarMarMarMary Postisheky Postisheky Postisheky Postisheky Postishek Diane Baker 15 Renton Historical Quarterly MemorialsMemorialsMemorialsMemorialsMemorials $100 & Over$100 & Over$100 & Over$100 & Over$100 & Over RentoniansRemembered FFFFFumiko Hoshideumiko Hoshideumiko Hoshideumiko Hoshideumiko Hoshide Lloyd Hoshide John L. BelmondoJohn L. BelmondoJohn L. BelmondoJohn L. BelmondoJohn L. Belmondo Janet & Bill Belmondo Stanley J. JonesStanley J. JonesStanley J. JonesStanley J. JonesStanley J. Jones Clark & Linda Petersen; Bill & Carol Collins Memorials made thrMemorials made thrMemorials made thrMemorials made thrMemorials made throughoughoughoughough The RThe RThe RThe RThe Renton Community Fenton Community Fenton Community Fenton Community Fenton Community Foundationoundationoundationoundationoundation Peter G. PritcharPeter G. PritcharPeter G. PritcharPeter G. PritcharPeter G. Pritcharddddd Doug & Sonja Kyes Mike RileyMike RileyMike RileyMike RileyMike Riley Sharon & Ron Clymer RRRRRandy Randy Randy Randy Randy Rockhillockhillockhillockhillockhill Greg & Carrie Bergquist; RHS BandStudents Class 1943; Bea Mathewson; Al & Shirley Armstrong; Mrs. Lila Houser James RJames RJames RJames RJames Rosaosaosaosaosa Richard & Corinne Lucotch Albert RAlbert RAlbert RAlbert RAlbert Rosenstrosenstrosenstrosenstrosenstromomomomom Lillian RosenstromEvelyn REvelyn REvelyn REvelyn REvelyn Rosenstrosenstrosenstrosenstrosenstromomomomom Lillian Rosenstrom RRRRReino Reino Reino Reino Reino Rosenstrosenstrosenstrosenstrosenstromomomomom Lillian Rosenstrom ClifforClifforClifforClifforClifford “Td “Td “Td “Td “Tick” Rick” Rick” Rick” Rick” Rostostostostost Richard & Corinne Lucotch; Martha Kingen Hazel RHazel RHazel RHazel RHazel Ruffalouffalouffalouffalouffalo Richard & Corinne Lucotch Fiorina SartorFiorina SartorFiorina SartorFiorina SartorFiorina Sartor Katie Gilligan Gino SartorGino SartorGino SartorGino SartorGino Sartor Katie Gilligan Diana ShumanDiana ShumanDiana ShumanDiana ShumanDiana Shuman Raymond & Lisa Graham Don ShumanDon ShumanDon ShumanDon ShumanDon Shuman Raymond & Lisa Graham GraceJean SmithGraceJean SmithGraceJean SmithGraceJean SmithGraceJean Smith Katie Gilligan Lola Holt TLola Holt TLola Holt TLola Holt TLola Holt Toddoddoddoddodd Ina Holt Woodin AAAAAustin L. Wheelerustin L. Wheelerustin L. Wheelerustin L. Wheelerustin L. Wheeler, Sr, Sr, Sr, Sr, Sr..... A. Lee & Merna Wheeler OrOrOrOrOrveema Wheelerveema Wheelerveema Wheelerveema Wheelerveema Wheeler A. Lee & Merna Wheeler WWWWWilliam Ailliam Ailliam Ailliam Ailliam A. White. White. White. White. White Anne White; Tom & Michael Whitefamilies TTTTTom Wom Wom Wom Wom Widdeniddeniddeniddenidden Katie Gilligan George ZiegenfussGeorge ZiegenfussGeorge ZiegenfussGeorge ZiegenfussGeorge Ziegenfuss Louise George; Rose Camerini Renton History Museum 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Nonprofit Org US Postage PaidRenton, WA Permit No. 105 Spring fever? Here are the winners of the Renton Garden Club’s first flower show in 1929. Left to right: Ethel Wolski, Nellie Bishop, Wenona Smyth, Nannie Evans, Margaret Clarke. (#1999.097.5146) In Hindsight...