July 2 – July 8, 2009

A Fruitful Fourth

Possibly stemming from a sense of patriotism, the Fourth of July is noted for many significant events in Washington history. On that date in 1889, Joseph Pearsall staked the first mining claim in Monte Cristo, which led to a brief boom for the mountain community. On July 4, 1915, Bill Boeing reportedly took his first airplane ride. That same day, Samuel Hill dedicated the Pacific Highway at Blaine. Exactly three years later, Hill was on hand to help dedicate the Stonehenge replica at Maryhill.

Seattle alone has its share of noteworthy Independence Day events. In 1854, it was the day Lake Union and Lake Washington were named, and on July 4, 1914, the Smith Tower was dedicated. Exactly three years later the first ship passed through the Lake Washington Ship Canal. And on July 4, 1965, Ivar Haglund launched the first Ivar's Fourth of July fireworks show, an annual extravaganza until this year, when it was discontinued.

Most Fourth of July events have been celebratory, but a few grim ones are worth noting. One hundred and twenty years ago, Ellensburg suffered a major fire that destroyed 200 homes and 10 business blocks, and the nineteenth century's last Fourth of July included a horrific tragedy in Tacoma. This year, HistoryLink.org wishes you a holiday both happy and safe.

This Week Then at the A-Y-P

One hundred years ago this week, suffragists continued their meetings in Seattle following their arrival a few days earlier. On July 2, they courted college students, and on July 3, they heard from the Washington Grange. They held a July 4 meeting at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

The next day, nationally prominent figures Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Henry Blackwell made the case for suffrage, and on July 6, Pauline Steinem (future grandmother of Equal Rights luminary Gloria Steinem) pressed mothers to set pro-suffrage examples for their daughters. Reverend Anna Howard Shaw closed formal meetings and on July 7, they all celebrated Suffrage Day at the A-Y-P, saturating the exposition grounds with Evergreen-hued "Votes For Women" pins, banners, ribbons, sashes, and balloons.

Inquiring Minds

If you live in Washington, and would like folks in your community to learn more about the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, you're in luck. HistoryLink staff historian Alan Stein has been chosen by Humanities Washington as one of the speakers for this years Inquiring Mind series. This program offers libraries, museums, schools and community organizations an opportunity to bring some of Washington's finest scholars, authors, musicians, and actors to local communities for engaging and entertaining educational programs.

Over the next 12 months, Alan will be taking an A-Y-P PowerPoint presentation on the road, along with panel displays and copies of our new book, Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition: Washington's First World's Fair, co-written by Paula Becker. But wait, there's more! HistoryLink.org Staff Historian Jim Kershner was also named as one of this year's Inquiring Mind speakers, and he'll be traveling the state, telling the story of Carl Maxey: Washington's Fighter for Civil Rights.

If your community is interested in either of these two talks, or any of the 20 other Inquiring Mind speakers, please visit the Inquiring Mind website for information about each lecture and details on booking a speaker.

Looking Back, Moving Forth

Sail and Fail: In the summer of 1788, English fur trader John Meares sailed along the Washington coast searching in vain for the San Roque River discovered years earlier by Bruno de Hezeta. He gave up on July 6, near the towering basalt column that served as Hezeta's landmark, and named it Cape Disappointment -- unaware that he was in the river's mouth. Today we know the river as the Columbia, and more than disappointment awaits any mariner who ignores nearby lighthouses.

Meet and Greet: Explorer David Thompson had a busy schedule this week in 1811, as he traveled along the Columbia River. On July 3, he recorded the first written description of the Sanpoil Indians. Three days later he met up with the Methow Indians, and the day after that he documented the first written description of Sinkayuse Indians. And between July 8-10, he reached the Snake River, but not before meeting with the Wanapum Indians.

Building Plan: On July 5, 1858, workers in Bellingham began erecting Washington Territory's first brick building, helped along by a shipment of building materials from San Francisco. The T. G. Richards Building still stands. It is the oldest brick structure in Washington.

Running Man: On July 2, 1902, hardened criminal Harry Tracy hijacked a boat from Olympia and made his way to King County. Less than a month earlier he had escaped from the Oregon Penitentiary with his friend David Merrill, whom he later shot in the back. Tracy eluded lawmen for more than a month as he cut a swath of terror throughout Washington state. In other crime history, this week also marks the 50th anniversary of a dramatic escape attempt by four inmates of the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe.

In the Press: On July 3, 1905, The Wenatchee World -- North Central Washington's first daily newspaper -- began publication. Over the years the paper has covered many major events in Wenatchee, including the first highway bridge to open over the Columbia River, the beginnings of Grand Coulee Dam, the end of the first nonstop flight over the Pacific, one of the first televised events in the state, forest fires, and a scandal that received world-wide attention.

What a Mess: On July 2, 1908, Mercer Island residents looked on in dismay as the grand Calkins Hotel burned to the ground. On July 3, 1914, faulty wiring caused a fire that destroyed the Jewel Theatre in Hillyard, a suburb of Spokane. And on July 5, 1932, a diamond was destroyed in Seattle when Dugdale Baseball Park burned to the ground.

Crossing the Water: This week also marks the anniversaries of two unusual floating objects, namely the modernistic ferry Kalakala, which entered service between Seattle and Bremerton on July 3, 1935, and the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, dedicated on July 2, 1940 -- one day after another local wonder, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened. The Kalakala was borrowed to make the final ceremonial ferry crossing of the Narrows on June 2, but she would return for more serious duty after the bridge collapsed a few months later.

Cross over Water: On July 3, 1962, the Green River watershed became a battle zone of sorts, when the public utility departments of Seattle and Tacoma came to loggerheads in what became known as the Lester Gate War. Eventually, the town of Lester became a ghost town, save for Gertrude Murphy, who passed away in 2002.

Quote of the Week

There, I guess King George will be able to read that.

          --John Hancock, after signing
             the Declaration of Independence

Image of the Week

Happy "berth" day to the fireboat Duwamish, launched 100 years ago on July 3, 1909.