HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 Issue 3 - Renton Rockets on Rainier.pdfVolume 33 Number 3
RRRRRenton Renton Renton Renton Renton Rocketsocketsocketsocketsockets
On ROn ROn ROn ROn RainierainierainierainierainierThe Commercial Club Boosts the King County Grange Fair, 1916
PrefaceBy Allen Hitchings1
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Promoting Renton is not anew thing. In fact, as long asthe city has been in exist-ence, there have been civic-minded leaders who thrivedon advocating Renton as thecenter of commerce andactivity within the PugetSound Region. “All RoadsLead to Renton,” “Pittsburghof the West,” “Hub City,” “JetCity USA” and “Town ofPayrolls” were just a few ofthe slogans boosters usedto paint Renton big . . . andplace it decisively “Ahead ofthe Curve.”In 1916, this promotionalzeal reached new heightsas the Renton CommercialClub convinced several KingCounty granges to hold theirannual Grange Fair inRenton.2 A new permanentcommittee called the “KingCounty Grange Fair Association” was formed in due course to advertise Renton “ . . . all over the county as awide awake burg and also as a fine location for fairs,Chautauqua’s, etc.”3 Planning for the September 6th - 9thevent quickly swung into motion.Paul Houser, Sr. was appointed chairman of the publicity and entertainment committee, which is of primaryconcern to the following story. Charged with these duties, Houser proposed a dangerous and outrageous stunt:send a group of men to Mt. Rainier ’s summit with a rocket, which would be ignited in celebration of the fair ’sopening. Remember - this was the Mt. Rainier of 1916, with few roads leading up to the base of the dormantvolcano, and even fewer established trails to its summit. What follows is the paraphrased testimony of that1916 trip by the Renton Commercial Club boosters up Mt. Rainier and the inevitable difficulties, predicamentsand life threatening circumstances they encountered in their nearly fatal attempt to inaugurate Renton’s firstKing County Grange Fair. - Editor
As event publicity chair Paul Houser stands to the right, the group's Chalmers, laden with a giant "rocket" wasreadied for a tour through Renton. This rocket never soared into the skies above Mt. Rainier, as it was
discarded several miles out of town. This photo was taken in front of Lee's Tires, located on the corner of 3rd
and Williams Avenues.
August 2002
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Public hours for the Renton Historical Museum are Tuesday - Friday, 12:00 to 4:00pm Saturday,10:00am to 4:00pm and by appointment for archival and photographic research purposesWednesday through Fridays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Admission: $3 per adult, $1 per child (ages 8 - 16)and Renton Historical Society members are always free. Free days: first Wednesday and thirdSaturday of the month.
By Barb Horton, Co-President
This quarterly publication is mailed to allmembers of the Renton Historical Societyas a membership benefit. Manuscriptssubmitted for future articles about Rentonhistory are welcomed from all sources.Authors are responsible for the accuracy andcontent of their submissions.
PresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresident'''''sssss ReportReportReportReportReport
Renton Historical QuarterlySteve A. Anderson, Managing Editor,Susie Bressan, Graphic Design & LayoutLouise George, Copy EditorDaisy Ward, Text Input, Copy EditorDeborah Willard & Karl HurstCity of Renton Print and Mail Services
Contributing AuthorsAllen HitchingsEthel Telban
Renton Historical SocietyBoard of Trustees Barbara Horton, PresidentsBill Gaw & Hai Do, Co-Vice PresidentDerek Almo, SecretaryJennifer Sharp, TreasurerNaomi Mathisen, '03Russ Price, '03Allan Unbedacht, '03Ted McLendon, '04Vicky Persson, '04Eric Black, '05Shirley Blayden, '05Bob Hunt, '05Ken Becker, Ex OfficioTerri Briere, Ex Officio
Museum StaffSteven A. Anderson, DirectorDaisy Ward, Administrative AssistantStan Greene, ArchivistCatherine Richardson, CuratorDorota Rahn, Volunteer CoordinatorTom Monahan, Museum AidePearl Jacobson, RegistrarLouise George, SecretaryEthel Telban, Librarian/ArchivesDick Hawkins, Grounds/MaintenanceRenton Historical Museum235 Mill Avenue SouthRenton, WA 98055-2133Phone: 425.255.2330FAX: 425.255.1570Email: saanderson@ci.renton.wa.us
Summer is here and it’s SO hot outside! It’s really hard to think aboutwhat happened in April, May and June, when the thermometer hasheaded into the beyond! The great news is that the Museum had air-conditioning installed and the main museum gallery is now pleasantlytemperature controlled, for all to visit and enjoy. People often go tomovies to enjoy a bit of respite from the heat. Now, the Museum offersmore engaging subject matter, plus a few hours of cool comfort besides!In May, the Society held its annual meeting. The agenda included anannual overview to the membership by each officer, recognition awardsfor those who have served and election of new officers. The new officersare; Barbara Horton, President; Bill Gaw, Co-Vice President; Hai T. Do,Co-Vice President; and Derek Almo, Secretary. Returning to the Board isJennifer Sharp, as Treasurer. Please welcome your new officers! Thisyear, the Society presented a special recognition award to Daisy Ward,Museum Administrative Assistant, for her outstanding performance inacquiring the necessary computer skills to take full advantage of theMuseum’s new computing equipment. Daisy is a wonderful asset to theCity and to the Society. Her ability to be flexible and tackle any job setsher apart from the crowd!The Board also adopted a new revision of the By-Laws in this AnnualMeeting. The By-Laws Committee collected the current By-Laws fromheritage organizations around the State of Washington to learn the mostup to date heritage management practices. The organizations thatshared their By-Laws with us were the Whatcom County HistoricalMuseum, Wing Luke Asian Museum, Seattle Art Museum, the Washing-ton State Museum and the Museum of History and Industry. Many of thedoctrines of these organizations made perfect sense and we adoptedseveral of their practices.Museum Supervisor Steve Anderson recently hired the two new employ-ees, Dorota Rahn and Catherine Richardson, which the RHS Boardbudgeted for earlier this year. For more information please look for detailson these new hires in the Museum Report section towards the back ofthis publication.The Renton City Council will soon be voting to develop a Museum MasterPlan. Details of the outcome of this vote will be shared with you in theupcoming newsletter, but you can listen to the Council discussion of thisproposal (planned for August 5th) which will be televised on Channel 21.Everything that the City Council is doing on your behalf is visible there!As always, we are deeply grateful to our volunteers! This communitysimply could not operate the “destination” museum without the largegroup of volunteers that support it. The Board, the Docents, the Commu-nity Volunteers, and our Volunteer Staff members are the engine of theorganization. We have volunteer opportunities that span many skillareas, including the well-known docents who operate the Museum all theway to business people who can help the Society keep the finances ontrack. If you have questions about our volunteer opportunities, pleasecontact the Museum at 425-255-2330. Thank you for your continuedsupport!
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Renton Historical Quarterly
The CallOn Sunday afternoon, the 3rd ofSeptember 1916, Major E.S.Ingraham called me (AllenHitchings).1 “The Major,”” as wecalled him, was noted for hisexplorations of the slopes, ridges,glaciers, and particularly thesummit of Mt. Rainier. Wasting nowords, he asked, “Would you liketo climb Mt. Rainier—all expensespaid?” Without hesitation, I re-sponded that I would. He had beenasked to recruit a party of fourcapable climbers to lead a climb,the purpose for which was thesetting off of fireworks from thesummit, to celebrate the openingof a King County Grange Fair inRenton. Twelve Renton men2 were to complete the party.3 We assembled in Renton the next morning, whichwas Labor Day, and took off about 9 a.m. in three cars: a Studebaker, an Overland and a Chalmers.4 Forseveral weeks prior to the climb, an extremely large rocket had been fabricated and then driven around town,strapped to the top of the Chalmers. Though people were led to believe the rocket was real, in actuality it wasonly for advertising – and so it was ditched near the White River.
It is likely that the Renton leader chose a climbing route up the northeast side of Mt. Rainier because thedistance was less. Yet, this road proved to be much poorer, eventually evolving into a trail that widened occa-sionally to allow for passing. In some places it seemed to be just part of the riverbed. The Ford was continuallygetting stuck in mud or stalled on hills. Then theroad became very bumpy and the Overlandbroke down. At 7:30 p.m., we reached theentrance to Mt. Rainier National Park, where wespread our bedding on the ground. At 7 a.m. thenext morning we set out once more, only tohave the Studebaker soon run out of gas. Theroad became so steep that in places it tookeight men pushing the Ford to make hilltops.Finally, we came to an extra long, steep hill thatthe car would not broach. A large amount of theload was placed in the Chalmers automobile,with the remainder being distributed betweenus to carry on our backs. Two miles farther, wecame upon the Storbo Mining Camp – the endof the road. It was noon when we sat down torest.
Here, after a good lunch, each of us shouldered a pack consisting of bedding, provisions, and fireworks (flaresand small rockets), and then the long ascent began. The previous hard work, coupled with extra heavy packshad weakened us, so as the sun set, we stopped short of our intended camping spot. There, we leveled (asbest we could) the ridge top of Mt. Ruth, placing us at about 6,000 feet elevation. Several of the Renton menhadn’t brought enough bedding, including our fireworks expert Mr. McGee, who had only brought a 4’ by 5’shawl. This being the case, John Lehman took him into his sleeping bag so he wouldn’t freeze. The bitter cold,the hard rocky ground, and everyone’s “significant concern” (that of rolling off the narrow ridge to their deaths)provided little rest for our party.
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Change of PlansAt dawn, it was decided that Lehman, his brother Chris, and Ralph Bliss would carry only their sleeping outfitsto the summit; all others would haul the fireworks, and then return to Mt. Ruth before dark. “The Major,” beingtoo old, would go only as far as his legs would carry him. We traveled along the sharp ridge a short distance;then climbed down off the ridge, south onto theEmmons Glacier, and then started up its slope. Someof our party, many of whom lacked the stamina neededin the thin rarified air, began lagging behind. By 10 a.m.that morning, “The Major” called a conference. Thingsbeing as they were, he had come to the conclusion thatour party would never reach the summit. He suggestedthat everyone return to Mt. Ruth and set off the fire-works from there. But John Lehman requested that he,his Seattle climbers and myself be allowed to try for thesummit. “The Major” agreed to these terms, sowatches were synchronized and the Renton menreturned to Mt. Ruth with the remaining small rockets.
Our party was at about the 9,000-foot level at this time,roughly half way between the Storbo Base Camp andthe summit. After ten hours of easy climbing, we hadless than ten hours to make the most difficult half of the climb. Once we had attained the snow slope we set upa climbing pattern: climb for 15 minutes, rest for 15The climbing party encountered both huge and small crevasses. Thelarger ones had to be hiked around, while the smaller ones posed real
danger as they were sometimes invisible, covered by an inch or twoof fresh snow.
minutes—gradually decreasing climb intervals tocompensate for rarified air. To our left (south), the top oflittle Tahoma (11,000 feet) was higher than we were.Ahead and due west was Willis Wall, and a little on its left (south) was Liberty Gap, one of Mt. Rainier ’s tripli-cate peaks, 300 feet lower than the 14,400 foot height of the crater rim of Columbia Crest. Behind us wasSteamboat Prow, from the top of which Curtis Ridge ran easterly and slightly downward to Mt. Ruth. A littlemore climbing, and snow gradually changed to ice, so we roped together and John began to use an ice axe tocut steps.On The GlaciersSoon we came to our first crevasse, a little one, which we went around. The slope became steeper, with morecrevasses. Following “The Major ’s” earlieradvice, John swung towards the WinthropGlacier on our right. After a quarter mile ofparticularly dangerous, icy travel, we madethe Winthrop. While we three rested, Johnwent ahead to scout a passage betweensome big cornices that lay between anapparently clear route and us to the saddlebetween Columbia Crest and Liberty Gap.An hour later, at 4 p.m., he returned. Ex-hausted and with daylight fading quickly, wethree favored returning to Mt. Ruth. But Johnpersuaded us to keep on going. Only onecrevasse, a long, wide one, gave us trouble.Luckily, we found a snow bridge. The northside of a mountain is always colder, asthere is less sunlight, so the WinthropGlacier was icier than Emmons Glacier.
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Rockets Red GlareWe had to cut steps up to the saddle,5 which we didn’t reach untilnearly 8 p.m. Darkness was falling with 300 feet of elevation yet to bemade. At this point in the climb, your narrator came down with a violentcase of mountain sickness, making matters far worse. I was so dizzy Icouldn’t stand. I wanted to vomit, but had nothing in my stomach. Theothers prompted me to leave the flares, but I kept crawling on handsand knees, and dragged the flares along with me. Then John cameback to help. We were both close to absolute collapse. That morningJohn had several times dropped back to relieve a straggler of a pack.He had spent an hour scouting the route through crevasses while wethree rested; yet, there he was, ready to take on extra work again.Luckily, my sickness was short lived. Helping one another, we reacheda spot half way to the rim where a steam vent poured out warm airfrom below a couple of big rocks, keeping a small ledge dry. This iswhere we would spend the night.
In rapidly gathering darkness, we could clearly see the illumination ofSeattle, Tacoma, Kent and Auburn’s lights. We knew our flares couldbe widely seen. With only a few minutes to go until 8:30 p.m., Johnbroke open the packet containing the flares. In the darkness he couldnot see his watch. Then the Renton men’s fireworks skyrocketed off ofMt. Ruth below us, so he struck a match. It went out. A second wentout- so did a third a fourth. The fourth caught and the flares burned forabout 10 minutes, making the night sky as bright as day.6
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SnowboundWhen the early morning light enabled us to see again, we found ourselves in a miserable condition: covered byseveral feet of fresh snow that was still coming down. Our sleeping bags had opened during the night, allowingsnow to seep in, melt and freeze. Worse, we were on the very edge of the narrow ledge, falling snow weighingheavily on us, wedging us closer and closer to the edge of the very steep slope. It was terrifying.“The Major” had told us not to attempt a descent through falling snow. The risk of falling into a hidden crevasseat higher elevations was great. The risk of becoming lost at lower elevations was even greater. So, at about 2p.m., John decided we should try for the summit; where four of us, huddled close together, would have a muchbetter chance to survive. Luckily, my sickness had worn off; also, there was a lull in the snowstorm. Helpingeach other, we stumbled upwardthrough soft snow to a big warmrock at the crater ’s rim. As werested, it started to snow again.While I kept fresh snow fromcovering the small portion of ourgear we had taken to the rim, Johnturned westward to search forChris and Ralph. He told them hedid not think neither he nor I couldstand another night in the icybag. Then came one of the noblestoffers imaginable—they offered toexchange sleeping facilities. WhileChris followed the rim back to me,John and Ralph went down for ourremaining gear. John’s handsnearly froze because he hadn’t put
The climbers who eventually reached the summit, spent the night there huddled around a steam
vent, a factor that kept them alive.
on gloves. The exchange of sleep-ing gear was difficult. My handswere so stiff I couldn’t get myshoes off, so I crawled into Ralph’sbag, headfirst and Chris managedto take them off.
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Somehow, night came and went. Though unspoken, we all realized that our second day on the mountain was agift, with our lives now at the mercy of the elements. Simply put, we couldn’t get down while it snowed and ifwe didn’t get down that day, we were all doomed.At half hour intervals one of us would peek out. Still, snow fell. Justafter nine o’clock John called out, “blue sky-it’s clear-now’s ourtime!” Like emerging submarines we broke up through the snow.We discovered another steam vent, which helped us to thaw out abit, though. John couldn’t find his socks so put shoes on without, avery bad mistake. A couple of lemons, thawed over a steam jet,mixed with melted snow refreshed us.At noon we started down. Progress was very slow as we were verytired, very stiff and had to prod with alpine stocks, much of the way,to guard against crevasses hidden by fresh snow. After a while, wecame to a long, wide-open crevasse, partly hidden by a cornice.7 Ithought it was the one we crossed on a bridge on the way up. If itwas, the bridge had fallen in. John’s idea was to stay tied together,make a simultaneous run and jump over it. If one fell in, he said, theothers could pull him out. I rebelled. Having had more athleticexperience, I was positive none of us could jump that distance,even one by one, on level, firm ground. Jumping in unison, from adownhill run, in loose snow, with backpacks, in a tired condition,would be suicide. Luckily John conceded, for when we finally didget out of that area, we all realized none of us would have clearedthe crevasse and all would have perished.The 200-foot climb from the glacier up onto Steamboat Prow nearlyfinished us off. When we did reach its top, an almost unbelievablesight greeted us. There stood “The Major”. He embraced each ofus as he kept repeating, “God bless you boys, and God bless you!God bless you!” Tears filled all eyes. Although all others at Mt. Ruthhad returned to Renton the morning after setting off the rockets,“The Major” spent all that day looking through field glasses for ourreturn. At dusk he hiked down to Storbo Base Camp and phonedSeattle, Tacoma and the ranger at Paradise pleading for help toform a relief party.Shortly, we met a man coming up the slope to join “The Major”. Heand “The Major” took our packs. A couple of hundred yards from thecamp we met the head ranger Tom O’Farrell, carrying a pot of hot coffee and heading a relief party of miners.They carried us into camp where we were taken out of our clothes, fed, almost drowned in coffee and put tobed.While it was gratifying for us to read “thousands of watchers, in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties reportedseeing the spectacle,” the part describing the flight of the “huge’ rocket gave us a chuckle. The stunt was notwithout cost, however. John’s shoes had to be cut off with a razor and he later lost two toes to severe frostbite.Chris and I had suffered only slightly frost bitten hands, ears and feet. Ralph retained no damage whatsoever.So the next day (Saturday) Ralph drove us back to Renton in the Ford. On the way I asked each to give hisinnermost thought as we lay, silently under the snow. There were four identical answers: “I prayed.”PostscriptFor what it’s worth, The Renton Herald reported the climbers' success on September 9th, 1916 indicating that:“The illumination of Mt. Rainier by the fair committee proved a success for thousands of Seattle peoplewatched the lights that flashed there Wednesday night, signaling the opening of the fair.”8 As the climbers frozeand clawed their way to the top of Mt. Rainier, the fair featured a baseball game between Renton and rivalO’Brien, a flying demonstration by famed aviator Fred Hubbard, an opening speech by Mayor Hughes, a stockshow and fine demonstrations of needle arts by the ladies of the town. At the point that the summit party washuddled in starvation, clinging desperately to the crater ’s rim, cooking and canning contests were held, the piebaking competition ensued, poultry was judged, and ribbons were awarded. It just goes to show you that somefolks will do just about anything to promote an idea or concept, even if it means potentially losing their lives inpursuit of that dream. Editor
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Renton Historical Quarterly
PACCAR Steel Built the Twins Towers of the World Trade Center
Recently Furman Carter brought into the Museum a copy of PACCAR THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY and aswe thumbed through the pages we noted the following information.Paccar won a $22 million contract for the major part of the outside wall of the 110-story twin towers of theWorld Trade Center in New York City. The twin towers project wassplit into a number of small packages and bids were solicited from alarge number of steel fabricators throughout the country. Pacific Carput together several small packages and won the award for 5,668steel panels, weighing a total of 58,000 tons, making Pacific Car thelargest among thirteen fabricators contributing steel for the towers.“The tower construction was computer designed, and Pacific Carused as many computer-oriented controls as possible, including theproduction of 45,000 shop drawings. The thousands of steel panels,making up the bearing walls of the twin towers from the 9th to the107th floor, ranged in thickness from a quarter inch to three inchesand in weight from five to twenty-three tons. The steel columns andspandrels were fabricated into three-story panels, measuring ten bythirty-six feet. During the fabrication there was continued shifting fromsteel of one strength to another, with yield points ranging from 36,000to 100,000 pounds per square inch, depending on such stress factorsas the direction of prevailing winds.” (page 195).Work began in late 1967 and the last of the steel panels was on itsway to New York in July 1970, three months ahead of schedule.The World Trade Center in New York represented the largest steelfabrication project undertaken by Pacific Car.This book can be reviewed in the museum’s Resource Library.
Get A Fair Button!“Go and buy a button.A great big yellow button.It will only cost a dime.Guy Mac has got a thousand.And it surely will arouse ‘emIf you get ‘em on in time.
The Grangers all will wear ‘em,The city folks will share ‘emTo help the big Grange fair.For the sake of pigs and muttonGo get yourself a buttonAnd be a booster for the fair.”9
KingCountyGrangeFair19161 E.S. Ingraham was a retired teacher and I think was superintendent of Seattle’s schools. He was also BoyScout commissioner, and scoutmaster of troop #1, of which I was assistant scoutmaster.2 The known members of this climbing party include: Major E.S. Ingraham, Allan Hitchings, Mr. McGee, JohnLehman, Christian Lehman, and Ralph Bliss. The group comprised of Renton men is unknown, althoughit is believed to have included: Paul Houser, Sr; Max Thorne; Earl Belloir; Guy McPherson; O.N.Cochran, et al.3 This included an expert from the Hitt Fireworks Company, a Mr. McGee.4 These were the maker’s names of three types of vehicles/cars used to transport the party to Mt. RainierNational Park.5 A low point between two higher points of elevation, like a saddle used on a horse.6 An unknown photographer took a picture of the Mt. Ruth display, probably from the Storbo Base Camp.7 A cornice is an overhang, usually of rock or ice. Hikers could and did walk out onto these naturally occurringformations not knowing there was nothing underneath them and inevitably fall to their deaths.8 The Renton Herald, 9/9/1916.9 Poem written in The Renton Herald, 8/4/1916.
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EndowmentEndowmentEndowmentEndowmentEndowment
CommitteeCommitteeCommitteeCommitteeCommittee
RRRRR eporteporteporteporteport
The Endowment Committee met on the 24th ofJuly with chairman Ken Becker presiding andcommittee members Naomi Mathisen, DavidGilbert, Randy Rockhill and Steve Anderson,and Society Treasurer Jennifer Sharp, attending – members Pat Autenand Allan Unbedacht were excused. It was reported that the fund restedat $194,643 on June 30th. Currently 43% resides in fixed income invest-ments and 57% is resides within equity investments.
A fund drive will occur later this year and the committee will be develop-ing plans to do that drive over the next few months. The Fund’s variousstocks and mutual fund investments were reviewed, all of theEndowment’s mutual funds are judged at four or five stars (best classrating) using the Morning Star Mutual Fund rating system. The funds arecurrently invested in a diverse number of stocks, mutual funds andcertificates of deposit. Discussion also ensued around growth versusincome producing assets. It was decided to sell American Century EquityGrowth holdings in favor of Meridian Growth, which is a small cap,growth mutual fund that owns small companies outside the technologyfields.
Asset reallocations: a payment of about $1,400 from the Endowment tothe Society’s general fund was paid this past quarter to help maintain thebenefits of our life members. Payment of about $2,121 has been trans-ferred from the Society’s general fund to the Endowment. This amountwas received this past quarter in the form of memorials, bequests andlife memberships. As there were no other investment decisions to make,the meeting adjourned. The committee will meet again on October 23rd.
All memorials, life membership dues and directed gifts go toward thefund’s working capital. Only the interest generated by these investedfunds will be used as sustained support to the Renton Historical Society.Please call 425/255-2330 for more information, or email atsaanderson@ci.renton.wa.us for more information regarding includingthe Renton Historical Society in your living will or bequest.
RentonHistoricalSocietyMembership CardGot One?
E-Mail?We are continuing to update ourelectronic files, please e-mail anote to us, telling us that you'rewired. Please e-mail yourresponse todward@ci.renton.wa.usand we'll get you added to ourlist.Members currently on this listare getting occasional updatesand information about Societyand Museum activities that youcan only get if we know youremail address, so, please getthat to us any way you can -even pony express!
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Renton Historical Quarterly
Nicknames ofNicknames ofNicknames ofNicknames ofNicknames of
Old ROld ROld ROld ROld RentonitesentonitesentonitesentonitesentonitesGirls – The boys had a lot of nicknames for them, but not printable. At oldSartori School in early thirties, there were three girls with the same firstnames of Lois. So the first grade teacher gave them nicknames.Lois Bennett was called “Beachie”Lois Noel was called “Noelie”Lois Swanson was called Swamie”
Ex-Mayor,Earl Clymer, was called “Speed” by his classmates.
Renton HillBaggieTyComatesPostieMitchViddieMudhenRonkPuttHoggsChinkTurkPerchTigerCorryChiBloBunnyTootsGerominoChuckChicYoung Blo GeteSouth RentonBrickRedDiggerTrustyCapGarbieSmashieLeftyHawkPeasoupNigBirdseedScrappyBearbaitScootBullZiggyTutsSlugAceSkunkGreyhoundVookGubRollieTwinFruitySpeedTrapperSwedeTinySlickMussoThirstyDutchGreekApeNibsPeanutsScottie
North RentonBaldyGumboCougarStrawhatGusYogsRondiSqueakyZekeFinnChinkPritchFudgoCirkyRoughhouseScottieStiltsHankYoraBaloneyBudHabRustyVikStretchCoopHossSnooseFrenchieRosieCorkyIkeDuckBeerheadBaronRickWeaselStonkMoosoFishHorseCirkyRoughhouseScottieStiltsHankYoraBaloneyBudHabRustyVikStretchCoopHossSnooseFrenchieRosieCorkyIke
NotesReceived
6/15/02I learned a lot about RentonRiver Days from the display atthe Renton Public Library. Thedisplay is very attractive, too.Love those rubber duckies.Sincerely,Kathleen
From 3rd GradersDear Museum Volunteers,Thank you for teaching us aboutRenton’s history. I learned that alady was a coach! The best partwas the Century to Century partof the museum. Thank you fortaking the time to teach myclass.
Dear Museum Volunteers,Thank you for teaching us aboutRenton’s History. I learned thatthey brought horses into thecoal mines. I liked the house. Ididn’t know that 8 year oldscould build fires. It was amaz-ing!
Dear Museum Volunteers,Thank you for teaching us aboutRenton’s history. I learned thatcoal miners made a lot ofmoney. I loved the flight simula-tor. I’m looking forward to seeingyou again!
Dear Museum Volunteers,Thank you for teaching us aboutRenton’s history. I learned thatwhen you are 10 years old, youcould have a mining job at thefront of the mine to hold themine carts. I like the museum.
Renton Historical Quarterly
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By Steve A. Anderson, Museum Supervisor
RRRRRentonentonentonentonenton
Museum RMuseum RMuseum RMuseum RMuseum Reporteporteporteporteport
Having just returned from a family vacationin southern Idaho, I cannot resist using anOregon Trail analogy to describe the mile-age that has been covered by the RentonMuseum over the past six months. Duringour road trip going and coming, my familyexperienced many of the benchmarks alongthe Oregon Trail that the intrepid pioneersfaced during their last 400 miles of thatrutted, dust-laden trail. Names like “FarewellBend,” “Deadman’s Pass,” “Taylor ’s Ferry,”“Lone Pine Valley,” and “Flagstaff Hill” high-lighted the pioneer ’s progress during thatlast section of their 2,000 trek across thecountry. The many unmarked graves (andsad events) lost to time undoubtedly left an impression on those pio-neers as well.And so it is with the life of a museum. Milestones are reached, disap-pointments are experienced, battles are won while others are lost, all ofwhich highlights a museum’s growth and level of prosperity. The RentonMuseum has encountered a number of these milestones recently, themost significant of which I’ll relate below:We learned recently that Renton’s centennial exhibit “Century to Century”will be receiving an American Association for State and Local History(AASLH) Certificate of Commendation this coming September. TheAASLH Annual Awards Program, now in its 57th year, is the most presti-gious national recognition for achievement in the preservation and inter-pretation of local, state, and regional history. Awards for 2002 repre-sented 70 organizations and individuals from the United States. Theawards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage stan-dards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation ofstate and local history throughout America. “Century to Century” met thatcriteria. As this is a first significant milestone for Renton’s history mu-seum, it clearly registers an increase in community service and sets thebar for future endeavors. Because of this award and the significance ofthis exhibit, the board has decided to let it remain in the north gallery foran additional year, now to be closed in December 2003.A second activity that you should know about relates to the RentonHistorical Museum’s participation in Crossing Organizational Bound-aries, a project funded through the Institute of Museum and LibraryServices (IMLS) out of Washington, D.C. The project’s intent is to place12,000 photographic images on the web in a searchable database thatwould be accessible to anyone with a computer and Internet access.The University of Washington, Museum of History and Industry and tensmaller sites within King County are participating in the project, withRenton’s share being 400 of our best photographic images that themuseum can produce. A number of volunteers have provided the timeand energy to help select, copy worksheets and type “metadata” orinformation about each image, onto worksheets so that other members
of the project team will not have toexpend time researching or writinginformation about the imagesselected from our collection. Wehave been careful to select onlyoriginal photographs that have validinformation, and ones that vary interms of subject matter. Factories,businesses, home life, portraits,cats and dogs, automobiles,famous and not so famous made itinto the project. This project marksthe first time that the RentonMuseum will exhibit a portion of itscollection on the Internet - availableon a University of Washington webpage sometime in December2003. More on this as it develops.A third significant event took placethis past month: we’ve recentlyhired our first volunteer coordinatorand curator/collections manager.Since becoming director of thismuseum in 1993, we’ve negotiatedmany of the duties and responsi-bilities of this museum utilizingunpaid staff (volunteers), withDaisy Ward, Tom Monahan andmyself warming seats as the onlypaid personnel. Please now wel-come Dorota Rahn, our “VC” orvolunteer coordinator, andCatherine Richardson, our Curator,or collections manager, who’s firstmajor job will be the sorting andprocessing of the Charles Custerestate artifacts, ephemera andother materials. The hiring of thesetwo very capable individuals willvault the museum to new levels ofcommunity participation andprofessionalism at our site. Theirpresence will make the fulfillmentof our mission to collect, preserveand interpret Renton’s past moreattainable.The fourth significantbenchmarking activity that I have torelate is currently under discus-sion, and has yet to sprout wings.But for the sake of consistency, itshould be brought into light at thistime. In May 2002, I received arequest from the 7th floor of CityHall, to help develop a “scope ofwork” to be presented to the CityCouncil for approval. This prelimi-nary document would call for thefunding of a planning specialist, an
continued on page 11
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architect actually, who would studythe current museum’s spaces,personnel and activities and thenmake five, ten, fifteen and twentyyear projections on what formRenton’s history museum mighttake in that future time. This is thefirst major push by the city toexplore the workings within thismuseum’s operation and to pre-pare a study of this nature, a studythat would identify needs andwants such as: larger exhibit andwork spaces for a growing collec-tion; full time personnel to handlethe numerous requests for infor-mation or curatorial needs; person-nel to handle a growing educationaloutreach or public dimensioncomponent; additional classroomand presentation/programmingspaces; new patron services suchas a larger museum gift shop orfood services area; new long termand more numerous short termexhibits and the staff to supportthem; a new site for a much largermuseum building; environmentallyfriendly storage facilities to keepour growing large object andphotographic collections safe forfuture generations; and the definingof a relationship between thegrowing Renton Historical Societyand the City of Renton. The pro-cess may include more than this,and it is too early to define exactlywhat the recommendations are orwhat they’ll cost. But it is a goodthing that the City of Renton istaking this action at this time, forthe benefits that the study willproduce will not be felt for awhile,perhaps in time for the city’s 125thanniversary celebration in 2026.Certainly the preparations we havetaken over the past nine yearshave placed this museum in asuperb position to look to the futurewith optimism and pride, twowords that epitomize Renton’spast, present and future. Andthere’s more to come. Until nexttime…
continued from page 10 AAAAAwarwarwarwarwardsdsdsdsdsPrPrPrPrPresented!esented!esented!esented!esented!During the annual meeting of the Renton Historical Society’s member-ship on May 23rd, several individuals were recognized by the Board ofTrustees of the Renton Historical Society for their contributions to themission of the Society.Distinction in Heritage Service AwardsThis award is presented to individuals who have provided invaluableservices to the board, museum and community in their work on theboard. This year ’s recipients included:Homer Venishnick was recognized for his role as a board trustee andhis commitment to the Society’s goals - especially his leadership andvision relative to the Centennial Trolley Project.Marleen Mandt was recognized for her commitment and leadership inher work on the Custer House Committee and as a Board Trustee.Nancy Fairman was recognized for her commitment and leadership asBoard Secretary and Trustee.Pat Auten was recognized for her commitment and leadership in herwork in advancing the goals and mission of the Renton HistoricalSociety, first as a trustee and then as one of its co-presidents.Special Achievement AwardDaisy Ward was recognized with this special award for a staff memberin recognition of her advancement in technical skills and overall develop-ment in management of the Society’s membership and donor registers.Volunteer of the Year 2001This year, Nancy Fairman and MarianSutton were presented with the Volunteer ofthe Year Award in recognition of their teameffort while making significant contributionsin collecting and transcribing oral historiesfrom Rentonians during the course of thepast three years. These two ladies haveaccounted for over a dozen importantinterviews and transcriptions that can nowbe read at the Renton Historical Museum.They continue on in their work and are readyto accept the challenge of recording more ofthe memories from Renton’s citizens.Congrats on a wonderful contribution to themuseum’s archives.
Marcia Sutton and Nancy FairmanGeorge W. and Annie Lewis CusterHeritage Citizenship Award
Don Custer receives award from Steve Anderson
This first annual award, given for thefirst time in 2001, is to be given to acitizen who is functioning outside theSociety’s business while accomplish-ing the Society’s goals and mission.This year ’s recipient is Don Custer,who, in the role of chairman of theRenton Centennial Celebrationprovided leadership and balance tothe city celebration of its past and fordirecting the highlighting of Renton’shistory and bringing that history to lifefor all of Renton’s citizens.
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A RA RA RA RA Renton High Schoolenton High Schoolenton High Schoolenton High Schoolenton High School
MysterMysterMysterMysterMyster y!y!y!y!y!By Ethel Telban
Calling all former students of old Renton High School! Do you rememberseeing two larger-than-life statuesthat stood at the front of the oldauditorium? “The Discus Thrower”or “Discobolus” was one of themand “Diana the Huntress” was theother. Does anyone know thesource of these two famous worksof art? Were they a gift of a gradu-ating class? Or, did a Rentoncitizen donate them to the school?
Jane Lawrence, Class of 1926,remembers seeing them, as didAndrew Gigli, Ethel Telban, andBenton Williams, all Class of1932 alumni. But the statues werenever seen again after the newhigh school opened in January1932. At the Renton High SchoolAlumni Banquet (classes 1926 to1941) held at the Holiday InnSelect this past May, ReunionChairman Harold Bruce triedonce again to seek informationabout this mystery but nothing newwas forthcoming. However, alumniBenton Williams later reflected on the question and wrote the following:
The Junior High School years are aconfusing time for teenagers, and Iwas no exception. I can barely recallsignificant events in those hectictimes when puberty was taking itshold and when girls became “ga-ga”over boys who had little interest inanything other than sports and dirtycords. However, one incident issignificant, I suppose because it hadan element of sexual suggestion in it.
Our Junior-Senior High School was athree-story brick rectangular prismtype of building. Sometime duringthese years of the Great Depressiona benevolent citizen bequeathed tothe school two replicas of GreekSculptor; one was the famous discusthrower by Praxiteles, a larger than lifefigure without adornments of any kind,except those that came naturally. Thisimposing piece of art was placed inthe main hallway where the passing
students could be observed point-ing and giggling.
In no time at all, our Language Artsteacher, who was regarded bymany as a spinster-type of lady,became a “campaign of one” toask that the physical adornment beremoved. It so happened that ourformidable coach was teachingAncient History, particularly thefamous Greek Sculptors, andopposed the disfigurement of thestatue.
One can imagine the imbroglio thatmight have occurred in teachers’meetings over this affair. Subse-quently, some mysterious personwielding a chisel in the off hoursmust have neutered the discusthrower. A Metal Shop teacherfashioning a brass maple leaf forthe appropriate location might haveaccomplished the final outcome ofthis incident, but as for that, mymemory seems to have failed me.
After so many years, all 70 ofthem, where oh where is thediscus thrower?
Come to the Renton HistoricalMuseum and see two recentlyinstalled small facsimiles of DIANATHE HUNTRESS and THE DIS-CUS THROWER in the ‘teens/’20ssection of Century to Century,Renton’s Centennial exhibit.
If you have information about thetwo original pieces of sculpturethat graced the High School for atime, please call the Museum at425.255.2330 or Ethel Telban at206.772.3904.
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Renton Historical Quarterly
VVVVVolunteer Cornerolunteer Cornerolunteer Cornerolunteer Cornerolunteer CornerBy Dorota Rahn, Volunteer Coordinator
Welcome Dorota!
Dear Volunteers: First of all I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and constant involvement in theRenton Historical Museum. The Museum wouldn’t exist without you. I had an honor to be chosen by SteveAnderson, Cynthia Mack, and Ila Hemm as a Volunteer Coordinator at the beginning of July. I want to continue agreat work of Cynthia helping volunteers to perform their duties at the Museum. Everybody will probably missCynthia. However, I promise to do my best to make the transition and your work as smooth as possible. Thereare a few of you I had opportunity to talk to during my first week at the Museum. For those with whom I stilldidn’t meet I want to share some information about myself. I came from Poland to the U.S. in 1992. I graduatedwith MBA in marketing at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. My family moved to Washington statetwo years ago and we hope this is a place where we finally can startputting our roots. My husband Rick, our five years old daughter Natalie andI love it here. We like to hike, bike, camp, and admire the beautiful out-doors.
In my professional career I worked for several companies and institutions.However, I decided I want to take part in working for a community helpingto preserve history and art. I graduated in the Museum Collection Manage-ment and Interpretation Program at the University of Washington in Junethis year. My dream was to work for a museum and this dream may befulfilled thanks to you. I am very excited and hope I can join you in efforts tomake the Renton Historical Museum even more inviting and professionalplace than it currently is.
Thank you again for your past and future engagement in the Museum. Yourhard work is really appreciated. As I am new to the Renton HistoricalMuseum volunteers I would like to ask you to share with me your sugges-tions, concerns, requests, and complaints. I am here to help you andmake you satisfied with your work. I am planning to meet personally witheverybody by October this year. I am available at the Museum from Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to2:30pm. You can call me at 425.255.2330.Volunteer Newsletter IdeasThe name of a Volunteer Newsletter used by Cynthia Mack was Renton Historian. I want to check if anybodyhas different suggestions or do you want to keep the old name. For now I just simply want to call it the RentonHistorical Museum and Society Volunteer Newsletter. I plan on revising the name in the fall. In the meantime,please feel free to share your ideas with regard to the newsletter ’s name and subjects you want to havecovered. It’s your newsletter so you should decide about it. Side Note: A “Big thank you” to Nancy, MarjorieGould, Mary Postishek, Betty Laviolette, Cecilia Major, Dorlene Bressen, Don Emmons, Brian Velez, CarolHawkins, Bea Mathewson, Stan Greene and Bill Collins for greeting visitors and opening the Museum in July. If Imissed anybody please let me know. Please write your suggestions down on the piece of paper and leave withanybody in the office or call Dorota at 425-255-1570. Thank you.New Collection ManagerOur new Collection Manager/Curator, Catherine Richardson, was hired this past month – more on her in thenext edition. Anyone interested in helping with this aspect of museum work?
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RentoniansRentoniansRentoniansRentoniansRentoniansRememberedRememberedRememberedRememberedRemembered
Memorials shown were received from those noted inreduced print from April 16 to July 16, 2002 denotes former Society Life MemberZ% denotes former Society member
AarAarAarAarAaron Goodwinon Goodwinon Goodwinon Goodwinon GoodwinLorraine Goodwin
Maxwell D. Nicholls, DVMMaxwell D. Nicholls, DVMMaxwell D. Nicholls, DVMMaxwell D. Nicholls, DVMMaxwell D. Nicholls, DVMFrank & Tillie Purcell
DorDorDorDorDorothy Bruceothy Bruceothy Bruceothy Bruceothy BruceHarold Bruce Z
FFFFFrrrrred Burkhaltered Burkhaltered Burkhaltered Burkhaltered BurkhalterBeth & Mike Potoshnik;Josephine Potter
WWWWWallace "Wallace "Wallace "Wallace "Wallace "Wally" Clarkeally" Clarkeally" Clarkeally" Clarkeally" ClarkeZena Cochran; Lois & Jack GannonZ
MarMarMarMarMary Cecchiniy Cecchiniy Cecchiniy Cecchiniy Cecchini DelaurDelaurDelaurDelaurDelaurentientientientienti
Jackie FJackie FJackie FJackie FJackie Farararararrington Frington Frington Frington Frington FosterosterosterosterosterZena Cochran
Z
Z
Louise George; Florence Delaurenti;Gloria Duffey; Evelyn Rosenstrom;Homer & Bunny Venishnick; Mr. &Mrs. George Gambini; Carmel & DonCamerini; Mario & Victor Tonda;Greg & Carrie Bergquist; AngelineDelaurenti; Ethel Telban; Robert &Gilda Youngquist; Floyd Hughes;Beth & Mike Potoshnik; Rose Gigli;Bruce & Sarah Hisey; Martha Kingen
Z
Louie DelaurLouie DelaurLouie DelaurLouie DelaurLouie DelaurentientientientientiMartha Kingen Z
HarHarHarHarHarvey Delaurvey Delaurvey Delaurvey Delaurvey DelaurentientientientientiFlorence Delaurenti & LouiseGeorge; Madeline Donckers; Beth &Mike Potoshnik; Mario & VictorTonda; Renton High School Class of1940; The Angelo Bressan family;Jack Morrison; Harold Bruce;Martha Kingen
Lorna GalvinLorna GalvinLorna GalvinLorna GalvinLorna GalvinMr. & Mrs. H. F. Mathewson
KKKKKen Gerberen Gerberen Gerberen Gerberen GerberMike & Sue Moeller
Mike Girias, SrMike Girias, SrMike Girias, SrMike Girias, SrMike Girias, Sr.....Louise George; Paul & Lila Houser;Rose Camerini
Adolph GruhnAdolph GruhnAdolph GruhnAdolph GruhnAdolph GruhnZena Cochran
James GrJames GrJames GrJames GrJames Greggs, Jreggs, Jreggs, Jreggs, Jreggs, Jr.....Mildred Faull, Laurette McKelveyZ
WWWWWilliam and Annie Kaneilliam and Annie Kaneilliam and Annie Kaneilliam and Annie Kaneilliam and Annie KaneAnonymous
VVVVVictor Lictor Lictor Lictor Lictor LaFaFaFaFaFranchiranchiranchiranchiranchiMary Breda
Michael MillerMichael MillerMichael MillerMichael MillerMichael MillerLouise George & Florence Delaurenti;Grubesic-Righi family; Beth & MikePotoshnik; Madeline Donckers; MarthaKingen
Opal ROpal ROpal ROpal ROpal Roach O'Brienoach O'Brienoach O'Brienoach O'Brienoach O'BrienLouise George
Jack PriebeJack PriebeJack PriebeJack PriebeJack PriebeMargaret Priebe
Josephine ScollJosephine ScollJosephine ScollJosephine ScollJosephine ScollMario & Victor Tonda
RRRRRuth Settermanuth Settermanuth Settermanuth Settermanuth SettermanEthel Telban
Thomas TThomas TThomas TThomas TThomas TrimmrimmrimmrimmrimmFlorence, Tom & Linda Morris; NesikaChapter OES Past Matrons Club; RosePaglia; Berniece Schwartz; Carmel &Don Camerini; Florence Delaurenti;Beth & Mike Potoshnik, Mr. & Mrs.Bert Custer; Nesika Chapter #54 OES;Evelyn & Gordon Kuder, PaulineKirkman; E. Jane Lawrence
%
Eva GoodwinEva GoodwinEva GoodwinEva GoodwinEva GoodwinCharles Goodwin; John & Joyce Peterson%
EverEverEverEverEverette L. Wette L. Wette L. Wette L. Wette L. WebbebbebbebbebbBeth & Mike Potoshnik
Lois WhiteLois WhiteLois WhiteLois WhiteLois WhiteLouise George; Vivian Burmester;Louise Bertozzi
Z
Recently DepartedRentonians & Society Members
HarHarHarHarHarvey J. Delaurvey J. Delaurvey J. Delaurvey J. Delaurvey J. Delaurentientientientienti
Frances (Frank) X. HayesFrances (Frank) X. HayesFrances (Frank) X. HayesFrances (Frank) X. HayesFrances (Frank) X. Hayes
Celia JonesCelia JonesCelia JonesCelia JonesCelia Jones
Clyde C. BarfieldClyde C. BarfieldClyde C. BarfieldClyde C. BarfieldClyde C. Barfield
FFFFFaye Gibsonaye Gibsonaye Gibsonaye Gibsonaye Gibson
Eva M. KarrenEva M. KarrenEva M. KarrenEva M. KarrenEva M. Karren
Deane L. PetersonDeane L. PetersonDeane L. PetersonDeane L. PetersonDeane L. Peterson
HarHarHarHarHarrrrrr y B. Mory B. Mory B. Mory B. Mory B. Morrisonrisonrisonrisonrison
Alice Smith FAlice Smith FAlice Smith FAlice Smith FAlice Smith Forororororrrrrrester Davisester Davisester Davisester Davisester Davis
Ethel GlocknerEthel GlocknerEthel GlocknerEthel GlocknerEthel Glockner
MarMarMarMarMary Flavia Johnsony Flavia Johnsony Flavia Johnsony Flavia Johnsony Flavia Johnson
MarMarMarMarMary Cecchini Delaury Cecchini Delaury Cecchini Delaury Cecchini Delaury Cecchini Delaurentientientientienti
Michael FMichael FMichael FMichael FMichael F. Miller. Miller. Miller. Miller. Miller
Sylvia MeyenburgSylvia MeyenburgSylvia MeyenburgSylvia MeyenburgSylvia Meyenburg
Opal O’BrienOpal O’BrienOpal O’BrienOpal O’BrienOpal O’Brien
Josephine ScollJosephine ScollJosephine ScollJosephine ScollJosephine Scoll
VVVVVictor Lictor Lictor Lictor Lictor LaFaFaFaFaFranchiranchiranchiranchiranchi
Mike Girias, SrMike Girias, SrMike Girias, SrMike Girias, SrMike Girias, Sr.....
Ruth SettermanRuth SettermanRuth SettermanRuth SettermanRuth Setterman
Lorna GalvinLorna GalvinLorna GalvinLorna GalvinLorna Galvin
Evelyn AgrenEvelyn AgrenEvelyn AgrenEvelyn AgrenEvelyn Agren
Frederick StewartFrederick StewartFrederick StewartFrederick StewartFrederick Stewart
Fred BurkhalterFred BurkhalterFred BurkhalterFred BurkhalterFred Burkhalter
Kenneth GerberKenneth GerberKenneth GerberKenneth GerberKenneth Gerber
Edna KlepachEdna KlepachEdna KlepachEdna KlepachEdna Klepach
Gladys BergesenGladys BergesenGladys BergesenGladys BergesenGladys Bergesen
RRRRRoooooxie Goetzxie Goetzxie Goetzxie Goetzxie Goetz
EverEverEverEverEverette Wette Wette Wette Wette Webbebbebbebbebb
Thomas WThomas WThomas WThomas WThomas W. T. T. T. T. Trimmrimmrimmrimmrimm
Eva MorEva MorEva MorEva MorEva MorelandelandelandelandelandBetty & Bill Richards
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Renton Historical Quarterly
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p Please send me a volunteer application form. (32/1)Mail To:Membership Secretary, Renton Historical Society235 Mill Avenue South, Renton, Washington 98055-2133
WWWWWelcome and Thanks...elcome and Thanks...elcome and Thanks...elcome and Thanks...elcome and Thanks...
New Members
Byron & Connie BanesByron & Connie BanesByron & Connie BanesByron & Connie BanesByron & Connie Banes
Barbara BettsBarbara BettsBarbara BettsBarbara BettsBarbara Betts
Shirley Blayden familyShirley Blayden familyShirley Blayden familyShirley Blayden familyShirley Blayden family
Leo E. & Yvonne CareyLeo E. & Yvonne CareyLeo E. & Yvonne CareyLeo E. & Yvonne CareyLeo E. & Yvonne Carey
LLLLLarararararrrrrry & Jeannie Cry & Jeannie Cry & Jeannie Cry & Jeannie Cry & Jeannie Crookookookookook
VVVVVictoria Hartictoria Hartictoria Hartictoria Hartictoria Hart
Dale & Ann HazenDale & Ann HazenDale & Ann HazenDale & Ann HazenDale & Ann Hazen
Floyd & June HewittFloyd & June HewittFloyd & June HewittFloyd & June HewittFloyd & June Hewitt
TTTTTom & Linda Morom & Linda Morom & Linda Morom & Linda Morom & Linda Morrisrisrisrisris
Joyce NakashimaJoyce NakashimaJoyce NakashimaJoyce NakashimaJoyce Nakashima
VVVVVicky & Don Perssonicky & Don Perssonicky & Don Perssonicky & Don Perssonicky & Don Persson
Edward & Miyoko DelantyEdward & Miyoko DelantyEdward & Miyoko DelantyEdward & Miyoko DelantyEdward & Miyoko Delanty
Alvin MuhonenAlvin MuhonenAlvin MuhonenAlvin MuhonenAlvin Muhonen
Richard PetersonRichard PetersonRichard PetersonRichard PetersonRichard Peterson
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In-Kind Contribution
Cat's Eye GroupCat's Eye GroupCat's Eye GroupCat's Eye GroupCat's Eye Group
Donations
BirthdayBirthdayBirthdayBirthdayBirthday
RRRRRemembranceemembranceemembranceemembranceemembranceHappy 90thtoCecilia MajorfromHomer & Mary Bishop
Renton Historical Quarterly
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Centennial SnapshotCentennial SnapshotCentennial SnapshotCentennial SnapshotCentennial SnapshotThe Renton Historical Museum staff is currently processing the images from the albums of the Guitteau family(Lucey, Florence and Olive), who came to Renton about 1911 and lived at 129 Meadow Avenue north. Thecollection contains roughly 1,300 images of north Renton and other places around town. Shown here are someof the neighborhood friends lounging in the Guitteau front yard, with daughter “Florence Guitteau Storey” rightin the middle of the group. If you knew the Guitteau family members, or are related, we’d very much appreciatehelp identifying people in thesealbums, as they are some of theearliest we have in the collection.
The Museum staff is also pro-cessing a 1963 inventory ofhomes and businesses here inRenton that was conducted by theCity of Renton. The inventoryincludes over 400 structures, frontand back images and a briefdescription of each building. Eachimages is being assigned a serialnumber and will occupy the#07001 – 07808 section of thephotograph collection.
This photograph shows several Renton gals having fn in the middle of the summer, 1913. From
left to right: Bess, Nell, Florence Guitteau, Sylvia andu Grace Aiken. If you know any of these
girls full names, please contact the museum.
Renton Historical Society235 Mill Avenue SouthRenton, WA 98055