THE REDMOND RECORDER

REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2014 VOL. 16 NO. 2

Every town has a history. Discover ours.

UPCOMINGSATuRDAY SPEAKER SERIEs

Saturday, February 8, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th Street

HIGh TIMEs ON ThE EAsTsIDE

Fear not, the headlines seen here are just ancient history! Residents quickly mobilized in 1970 to block a proposed airport at the site of todays Watershed Park on Novelty Hill. Please join us on February 8th when Sherry Grindeland, a former Seattle Times and Journal American reporter, looks back at that and other Eastside aviation history. Topics will include early birdmen, airports that once dotted the area, World War II air defense, and even a local connection to the D.B. Cooper hijacking mystery.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. FEBRUARY 2014

2014
Chris Himes President Judy Lang Senior Vice-President Joe Townsend Vice-President Finance John Phillips Vice-President Collections Mary Hanson Secretary Rosemarie Ives Janice LeVeck Judith Simpson Sherry Stilin Kris Swanson

EXECUTIVE BOARD

WhATs NEw ONLINE

Redmonds Old Town and the Sammamish River will get extra historic and cultural attention this fall thanks to Site Specific grants from 4Culture, the nonprofit agency that funds art and history across King County. Historical background for those and other 2014 sites are on 4Cultures Site Specific website at: sitespecificarts.org/apply Details are being worked out, but Redmond Poet Laureate Michael Dylan Welch will help celebrate both with haiku weathergrams posted outdoors around town. The river celebration will include art and music by artists Gaul Culley and Rulon Brown, while Old Town will see Moonshine Tours that turn historic sites on Leary Way into a 1912 settingfrom dancing and sleuthing to a mock Town Hall debate over whether Redmond should incorporate so as to tax alcohol. The idea, says City Planner Kim Dietz, is to infuse Leary Way with creativity, humor, and spirit through history. Site Specific grants have funded many programs. Check them out at:
sitespecificarts.org/archives/archives

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICE MANAGER Monica Park ATTORNEY Charles Diesen

Our finances are public record and may be viewed at the office. If you don't subscribe, please sign up. Call the office at 425.885.2919 or email info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org. State your preference of email or U.S. Mail. The historical society prefers email as it's inexpensive and photos are enhanced online. is published nine times annually. Miguel Llanos Editor Janice LeVeck Graphic Designer / Webmaster janiceannleveck.com

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FEBRUARY 2014 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

WhATs NEw IN OuR COLLECTION

Foss (and other Family) Albums

Society News

Thanks to Mike Foss we now have hundreds of digital pictures that include but go well beyond the Foss family of RedmondBabcocks, Bjerkes, Kelloggs, Koppenbergs, Phillips and Rosfords are also pictured!

In the photo above, Daphne Rosford, second from bottom left, and other students as well as a rather tired-looking teacher pose at a school picnic by the Bear Creek bridge on Novelty Hill Road. Below left, domestic science (aka housekeeping) students include Daphne at far left. The postcard below right shows Redmonds first two-story school, built in 1908.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. FEBRUARY 2014

Society News

HIsTORIC HOME FOR SPECIAL SANDwIChEs

Planned exterior for the historic building that had been Brad Best Realty. (Image courtesy of Homegrown)

The little brick building that sits on the northwest corner of Leary and Cleveland is a proud reminder of Redmonds roots. It opened in 1911 as the Redmond State Bank, the towns first financial institution. And since 1955 it had housed Brad Best Realty, the longest-lived and most renowned realtor in town. In a few months it should begin a new chapter, this time as a specialty sandwich store and caf. Brad Best and his family had been looking for a tenant who would celebrate the building and its history when along came Homegrowna small, Seattle-based chain that has worked with other historic properties. The company stresses sustainable food sources, seeking to buy local ingredients such as produce from Willie Greens of Woodinville and Full Circle Farms of Carnation. For more about Homegrown, visit eathomegrown.com. The Redmond Regional Landmarks Commission in 2010 approved the property as a City of Redmond landmark because it is one of the few remaining commercial buildings from Redmonds earliest period of community development. As a result of that landmark status, Homegrown was required to seek approval for alterations it was planning. The Redmond Landmark Commission last month approved removing the Brad Best Realty awnings because they are not original to the building. Other changes were approved such as: hanging exterior lights and a Homegrown sign from the mortar, but not the bricks; repainting the window sills in a charcoal color; and removing some original bricks from the banks vault room so as to allow a third archway. The removed bricks will be stored for possible re-use in the future. An exterior feature that Homegrown plans to bring back to life is the word BANK. After 102 years, its nearly invisible high above the front door, but efforts will be taken to highlight it when the buildings parapet is repainted.

FEBRUARY 2014 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

GARY COOPERs LOCAL TIEs CONFIRMED

Walt Cooper reached out after our appeal last month for confirmation that actor Gary Cooper had visited relatives in Redmonds Happy Valley area. Walt allowed us to digitize two photos the actor gave to the local Cooper family in 1931. The photo here states: To Aunt Alice and Uncle Walter with love. Another photo is signed to John, Garys cousin and Walts dad. Walt says his mom, Annie Isackson Cooper, told him Gary visited the Coopers on their dairy farm at least once.

Society News

Thanks also to Patsy Rosenbach and Marjorie Stensland Costello, who recalled hearing about Gary Cooper visiting from their elders. Marjorie said her dad had been the mail carrier for the area in the 1930s and would see Gary by the mail box waiting for the mail when he visited. The Coopers didnt want to get word out when Gary would visit, Marjorie recalls, so her dad would tell his kids after Gary had visited. Her dad said his stays ranged from two to six weeks.

HELP wANTED: NEwsLETTER AssIsTANT

Ever thought of researching and writing short histories of Redmond from our residents to our buildings and natural resources? If so, The Redmond Reporter is looking for someone to take that on periodically, and possibly help edit the Society newsletter as well. Contact Miguel Llanos at miguel@journalist.com if interested. A requirement is regular use of email as most communication will be done that way.
Every town has a history. Discover ours. FEBRUARY 2014

Society News KIRKLAND LOOMIs HOusE

LANDMARKED

(Photo courtesy of King County Historic Preservation Program)

A Kirkland treasurean 1889 home built by the Kirkland Land and Improvement Company and owned by Barbara Loomiswas landmarked by the Kirkland Landmarks Commission last December. The Loomis House is one of the most intact of the surviving dwellings associated with the company, and the best example of the Queen Anne cottage style in the city, the Kirkland Landmarks nomination stated in explaining its value. Located at 304 8th Ave. West, the home is one of eight remaining in Kirkland that illustrate the historic context of the speculative land deals going on there from 1888-1893, the nomination added. The company, co-owned by town founder Peter Kirk, intended to sell the homes to workers at the Great Western Iron and Steel Works along Forbes Lake but the 1893 depression scuttled that industrial dream before any steel was ever produced. Today, the nomination stated, the residential neighborhood surrounding the Loomis House is undergoing rapid change as the historic building stock is being replaced with large, contemporary dwellings. Any significant changes to the Loomis home will need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the King County Landmarks Commission. By becoming a City of Kirkland landmark, the property is now eligible for restoration grants and county tax programs.

FEBRUARY 2014 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

IN MEMORIAM: JAN FOREMAN

Society News

Redmonds transition from sleepy town to bustling city included turning its volunteer fire department into a professional service and those on the ground floor included Jan Foreman. Jan passed away on December 19 at the age of 82, but his legacy includes that fire fighting history. Apart from his 15 years as a member of the Redmond Fire Department, Jan was a member of the American Legion in Redmond and the Masonic Lodge in Bellevue. He retired from Cadman Gravel in 1994 after 32 years as a heavy equipment operator. Jan also helped the Redmond Historical Society in its early years, joining Daryl Martin to talk about the fire departments evolution at a presentation in June 2001. Perhaps his most visible contribution was the donation of a Welcome to Redmond sign that the City had posted in 1966 and then thrown out. The sign shows Redmonds population was just 573 in 1950. Jan knew hed eventually find just the right home for it, Society founder Nao Hardy wrote in 2000. Were grateful Jan had such foresight, and he only had to hang onto it for 3 decadesuntil our Society was formed. Jan is survived by Diane, his wife of 57 years, their three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The Foreman family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Redmond Fire Department Widow and Orphans Fund or a charity of their choice.

HIsTORIC GEMs ShOwCAsED IN NEw BOOK

A new book, King County Collects, showcases some of the hundreds of photos and images of artifacts that historical groups across King County pulled together as gems from their collections. Twelve local heritage advocates wrote essays for each themed chapter, with topics such as the Natural World, People, the Built Environment, Making a Living, Transportation, Community, Education, Worship, Industry, Having Fun, and the Arts. Produced by the Association of King County Historical Organizations and funded in part by 4Culture, the book retails for $25 and is available via bookstores and Amazon.com.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. FEBRUARY 2014

Society News

HuGE HIsTORICAL ThANK YOus

Jerry Hardy for donating $5,000 more in memory of his late wife and Society founder Nao Hardy. Jerry has now contributed $15,000 to the long-term stability of the Society. Richard Morris for managing our website for years and putting it on a stable, long-term platform. And Janice LeVeck, who took over the role of webmaster. January Speaker Series volunteers Fran and Fred Stray (greeters), Tom Hansen and Gene Magnuson (chairs, snacks) and Beryl Standley (coffee).

GOOD (TEMPORARY) HOME SOuGhT FOR BANK ARTwORK

Any business owners/managers out there with a nice public space to display this beautiful pastoral scene? The artwork was carved by local sign maker Wayne Gunderson in 1990 for the First Citizens Bank. Please contact our office at 425-885-2919 if interested in a long-term loan of the piece.

CIVIL WAR EXhIbIT AT WAshINGTON STATE HIsTORY MusEuM

More than 150 original artifactsincluding an early photo of Abraham Lincoln and Isaac Stevens swordare part of a new exhibit titled Civil War Pathways at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. The exhibit runs through July 6 and includes the local Civil War angles researched by Lorraine McConaghy, the Museum of History and Industry historian who has twice spoken to the Redmond Historical Society about the Civil Wars impact on the Northwest. The museum also invites the public to meet with authors of Civil War books. On February 22, Gregory Nokes will discuss his Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory. And on March 15, Lance Weller will discuss Wilderness. Both begin at 1:00 p.m. More information is online at washingtonhistory.org.

FEBRUARY 2014 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

REDMOND REFLECTIONS

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REDMOND REFLECTIONS is also available at the RHS OFFICE at the Old

Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. (Hours of operation on page 12.)

GREAT GIFT IDEAs FOR HIsTORY LOVERs

Need something special for someone who appreciates our history? These are available at our Society office:

GREETING CARDS, MAGNETS & NOTE CARDS featuring artwork by local artists: PATTI SIMPSON WARD DORISJEAN COLVIN PAT DUGAN OUR TOWN
History of Redmond by Nancy Way
This painting of Marymoor Park, Flying Kites at the Clise Mansion, is the work of fine artist Patti Simpson Ward. Visit her website to see more images of Eastside settings pattisimpsonward.com.

VIEW OF HISTORY DVD

Every town has a history. Discover ours. FEBRUARY 2014

Membership
LIFETIME HONOR IN MEMORY OF TOM HALL
Suzanne Hall, the wife of the late Tom Hall, helped us start 2014 on a stronger financial footing by honoring his memory with a lifetime membership. Im usually not emotional but I am about this, Suzanne told the dozens gathered at our January Speaker Series program. The Historical Society meant so very much to him, she said of Tom, who passed away last July and had been a longtime volunteer. He was very interested in all history, but Redmond was his real love, Suzanne added. I want to say thank you to all of you who made him feel such a part of the Historical Society.

Suzanne Hall (Photo courtesty of headspinnerphotography.com.)

OuR RHS LIFETIME MEMbERs

Eric Anderson John Anderson Barbara Neal Beeson Brad Best Marjorie Stensland Costello John Couch Liz Carlson Coward Tony Emmanuel Frank Garbarino Edward L. Hagen Tom Hall Lucille B. HansenBellings Wayne Hansen Jerry Hardy Naomi Hardy Chris Himes Rosemarie Ives Cory de Jong Patricia Weiss Jovag Barbara Weiss Joyce Glenn Lampaert Roy Lampaert Allen Lang Judy Aries Lang Miguel Llanos Jon Magnussen Clare Amo Marr Daryl Martin Allison Reed Morris John Phillips Roxie Phillips Dale Potter Jo Ann Potter Charles Reed Frances Spray Reed Vivian Robinson Laurie Rockenbeck Margy Rockenbeck William Rockenbeck Beryl Standley John Stilin Sherry Stilin Fred Springsteel Fred Stray Doris Bauer Schaible Herb Swanson Doris Townsend Roger Trepanier Arlyn Vallene Patti Simpson Ward Don Watts Rose Weiss Joanne Westlund Margaret Evers Wiese James Windle

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FEBRUARY 2014 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Membership JOIN REDMONDHIsTORICAL SOCIETY

Every town has a history. Discover ours.
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Every town has a history. Discover ours. FEBRUARY 2014

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REDMOND HIsTORICAL SOCIETY

16600 NE 80th Street, Room 106 Redmond, WA 98052

425.885.2919 PHONE WEB SITE redmondhistoricalsociety.org info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org EMAIL Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment
HOURS

FEBRUARY 2014 Every town has a history. Discover ours.