Welcome to Our First Issue!

Number 1 November 2016

Welcome to our first issue!

How the Northern Pacific Railroad A Perfect Day for Flying—Charles Came to Thurston County Lindbergh Soars Over Thurston County

Nancy Jim Parsons: The Life and Happy 50th Birthday, Lacey! Legacy of a Cowlitz-Nisqually A Photo Essay Native American Basket Weaver

Number 1 Table of Contents November 2016

3 The Genesis of the County Journal Charles B. Roe, Gerry L. Alexander, Shanna Stevenson, Janine Gates, and Carter Hick

4 From the Editor Karen L. Johnson

5 How the Northern Pacific Railroad Came to Thurston County James S. Hannum, M.D.

21 Can You Identify This Photo?

23 Nancy Jim Parsons: The Life and Legacy of a Cowlitz-Nisqually Native American Basket Weaver Drew W. Crooks

35 A Perfect Day for Flying—Charles Lindbergh Soars Over Thurston County Karen L. Johnson

43 Happy 50th Birthday, Lacey! A Photo Essay Erin Quinn Valcho

On the cover: In 1927, Charles Lindbergh and his airplane Spirit of St. Louis soar over the State Capitol building while Olympia residents crowd the roofs of nearby structures. See story on page 35. Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives: Lindbergh over the Capitol Building, 1927, by Vibert Jeffers, Susan Parish Photo- graph Collection.

THURSTON COUNTY HISTORICAL JOURNAL

The Thurston County Historical Journal is dedicated to recording and celebrating the history of Thurston County. The Journal is published by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation in cooperation with a wide range of public and private entities within Thurston County.

Publisher Editor Olympia Tumwater Foundation Karen L. Johnson John Freedman, Executive Director 360 -890-2299 Katie Hurley, President, Board of Trustees [email protected] 110 Deschutes Parkway SW P.O. Box 4098 Editorial Committee Tumwater, Washington 98501 Drew W. Crooks 360-943-2550 Janine Gates www.olytumfoundation.org James S. Hannum, M.D. Erin Quinn Valcho

Submission Guidelines

The Journal welcomes factual articles dealing with any aspect of Thurston County history. Please contact the editor before submitting an article to determine its suitability for publication. Articles on previously unexplored topics, new interpretations of well-known topics, and personal recollections are preferred. Articles may range in length from 100 words to 10,000 words, and should include source notes and suggested illustrations.

Submitted articles will be reviewed by the editorial committee and, if chosen for publication, will be fact-checked and may be edited for length and content. The Journal regrets that authors cannot be monetarily compensated, but they will gain the gratitude of readers and the historical community for their contributions to and appreciation of local history.

Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation

THE GENESIS OF THE C OUNTY JOURNAL

Charles B. Roe, Gerry L. Alexander, Shanna Stevenson, Janine Gates, and Carter Hick

Thurston County Journal Project Committee of the Board of Trustees, Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum

Many counties in Washington pub- Olympia Tumwater Foundation, lish a periodic journal in order to St. Martin’s University, memorialize their history. Despite South Sound Heritage Association, the rich history of Thurston County, South Thurston County Historical no such journal has existed here. Society, This journal is designed to overcome Squaxin Island Tribe, that glaring omission. Thurston County, and Tumwater Historical Association The effort to publish a history journal for Thurston County began in At these meetings, enthusiastic sup- the summer of 2015 when the board port developed for publication of a of the Olympia Historical Society county history journal. and Bigelow House Museum formed a Journal Committee. Shortly there- Despite the unanimity of thought on after, the Committee approached the need for such a journal, the rep- other historical associations and in- resentatives of the various organiza- terested private and governmental tions and entities spent considerable entities within Thurston County time addressing practical issues with a proposal to discuss the col- such as the need for a journal man- lective publication of a history jour- ager-publisher, an editorial board, nal for the county. Over the suc- and long-term sustainable funding. ceeding year, meetings were held at Fortunately, the Olympia Tumwater which the following organizations Foundation volunteered to initially and entities were represented: fill the management position. On the financial front, the organizations Chehalis Indian Tribe, and entities unanimously agreed City of Lacey, that funding for an initial “pilot jour- City of Olympia, nal” should be secured in order to Daughters of the Pioneers of demonstrate to potential funders ex- Washington, actly what form the journal would Lacey Historical Society, take. Thanks to the generosity of the Old Brewhouse Foundation, following groups and entities for Olympia Historical Society and their financial support which has Bigelow House Museum, made this first edition a reality:

City of Lacey, approached about publishing this City of Olympia, journal, John readily agreed, initial-

Olympia Historical Society and ly offering the use of OTF office Bigelow House Museum, space and equipment to whomever Olympia Tumwater Foundation, might be chosen as editor, and sub-

Tumwater Historical Association, sequently allowing me to serve as and individual donors editor in addition to my regular du- ties as curator of the Schmidt A regularly published journal, which House archives. contains articles about the history of Thurston County, is much needed. Thanks are also due to the groups Its existence will enrich the lives of and individuals who donated funds all who presently live in the county making the publication of this pilot as well as those who will live here in issue possible (see list at left). the future. Thanks too to those who agreed to We hope you enjoy perusing this serve on the editorial committee: first issue of the journal and invite Drew Crooks, Erin Quinn Valcho, you to join us in supporting its per- Jim Hannum, and Janine Gates. manent presence in historically sig- This group has reviewed, edited and nificant Thurston County. proofed the following articles (in addition to having written them!). ______I invite you to submit articles about any aspect of county history, in- FROM THE EDITOR cluding personal recollections. The articles should be factual, well- In the preceding article about the researched, and well-sourced. If genesis of this historical journal, no you have an idea for an article, but mention is made of the fact that don’t feel you have the necessary Charlie Roe was the spark plug for writing skills, our team may be able this whole idea. Although many indi- to help. If you love to write but viduals, groups and government en- don’t have a compelling subject, tities have taken part (and I hope our team may be able to help there, will continue to participate), Charlie too. Unfortunately, the Journal can- deserves primary credit. Gerry Alex- not pay authors for their articles. ander and Shanna Stevenson, among others, have had a hand in Please contact me if you have cor- this venture from nearly its incep- rections to or comments about the tion. Journal.

I also thank John Freedman, execu- Karen L. Johnson tive director of the Olympia Tum- 360-890-2299 water Foundation (OTF). When [email protected]

HOW THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD

CAME TO THURSTON COUNTY

James S. Hannum, M.D.

INTRODUCTION

Construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad in western Washington began in 1871 along the Columbia Riv- er, at a place which shortly became known as Kalama. That settlement was the southern terminal for this earliest local segment of the railroad. At the time, a second terminal had not been selected, although plans called for it to be sited somewhere on Puget Sound. By 1873, Tacoma had been chosen as the northern terminal, and regularly scheduled trains began running between Kala- ma and Tacoma in May 1874.

These historical facts, as they relate to Thurston County, are best understood by describing the background in which these events occurred. Ear- ly on, the residents of the county fully expected that the northern terminal of the railroad would be in Thurston County. Speculation in land was rampant, especially in Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who led an 1853 1871. The mood of the business survey party to determine the route for a community ranged from manic that northern transcontinental railroad. This year to profound depression in the photograph was made December 31, latter half of the next, when it be- 1861. Stevens was killed in September came apparent that the Puget Sound 1862 at the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia. terminal would be somewhere far- Photo courtesy of Library of Congress: ther north. Prints and Photographic Division, digital ID cwpb.00757, Timothy H. O’Sullivan, photographer. 5

CONGRESS AUTHORIZES A NORTHERN Congress chartered the Northern Pa- TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD cific Railroad Company (NP) in 1864.

President Lincoln signed the legisla- To understand the events that oc- tion on July 2 of the same year, but curred in the 1870s, it is helpful to the country was preoccupied with look back at 1853, the first year of the Civil War and construction did the Franklin Pierce presidency. not begin until several years later. A Pierce and Isaac Ingalls Stevens novel plan was used to build the were former classmates at West line, with work commencing at both Point and Stevens had supported the east (Duluth, Minnesota) and Pierce’s bid for the presidency in west (Kalama, Washington Territory) 1852. Stevens was rewarded for his ends of the railroad. The most support by being appointed the first daunting problem faced by the fledg- governor of Washington Territory. At ling line was financial. Although it the same time, the federal govern- received several million acres of land ment had commissioned a survey for as grants from the federal govern- a northern transcontinental railroad ment, that property was of little val- route. Stevens, who had served ue to the company until the railroad many years in the Army Corps of was actually built. Then parcels Engineers, was selected to make the could be sold to farmers, miners, survey while travelling to his new and other business people, providing post. a revenue stream. The result of this

situation was that most of the mon- Major George B. McClellan (later ey used for construction came from General McClellan, commander of the sale of bonds, which sold poorly the Union’s Army of the Potomac during periods of recession or eco- during a portion of the Civil War) nomic panic. In addition, congres- was a member of the survey party sional authorization for the NP re- for at least part of the journey. quired the western segment be com- McClellan and Stevens came to dif- pleted to a terminal on Puget Sound ferent conclusions as to what route no later than December 17, 1873. should be used for the northern railroad with each man submitting his It is reasonable to wonder why Kala- own report. Stevens recommended a ma was chosen as the starting point path over the Cascade Mountains, for the western part of the line. while McClellan favored a course Clearly, it is not on Puget Sound, similar to that used half a century which the railroad was tasked to earlier by Lewis and Clark, along the reach. There are several reasons. Columbia River. No choice between Portland was nearby and, at that these two options was made at the time, was the largest city west of the time. Indeed, that issue was not fi- Cascades. It was easily accessible nally resolved until the 1880s. by river boat from Kalama. Also, the Columbia River, between Kalama No further action was taken until and the ocean, was ice-free through-

6 out the winter. In addition, the depth of the river at Kalama was approximately the same as at the mouth of the Columbia, so any ocean-going ship that could get into the river could sail all the way to Kalama. Finally, as the line was built north from Kalama, along the Cowlitz River, there would be an im- mediate opportunity to earn income that would help offset the cost of construction.

Of course, before the railroad was built, nobody really knew what sort of traffic it would carry or in which direction that traffic would flow. Those questions could only be an- swered after a decision was made about which path to follow to the Great Lakes: would it be through the General John Wilson Sprague, general Cascades or along the Columbia Riv- manager of the Western Division of the er? Nonetheless, building began at Northern Pacific Railroad during its con- Duluth in July 1870. Former Union struction. A resident of Tacoma, Sprague Army General John Wilson Sprague received the Congressional Medal of was named general manager of the Honor shortly after his death in 1893 for Western Division of the NP. Con- his actions at Decatur, Georgia, during struction material as well as a small the Civil War. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress: Prints and Photographic locomotive arrived at Kalama on Division, digital ID cwpb.05921, Mat- July 10, 1870. The engine, the Min- thew Brady, photographer. netonka, had been built earlier in 1870 by Smith & Porter of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania. Transported the Port Blakely Mill Company, around Cape Horn, it carried #302 where it continued as #3. The Polson on the NP roster. Brothers Logging Company of Hoquiam bought it in 1895 and re- Of interest to Thurston County resi- numbered it #1. It was retired in dents is that in 1886, this locomo- 1928. Subsequently, it was repur- tive was sold to Benjamin Buckman chased by the Northern Pacific Rail- Turner. He operated it as #3 on his way (successor to the NP) and re- Black Lake & Sherman Valley Rail- stored to original specifications. The road, between the west side of Budd Minnetonka is now displayed in Du- Inlet and Black Lake. Turner’s bank- luth at the Lake Superior Museum ruptcy in 1888 sent the engine to of Transportation. 7

Above: Undated photograph of the Northern Pacific Railroad’s Engine #302 after restoration and renaming as Minnetonka. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Digital Collec- tions: PH Coll. 1291, TRA0246.

Opposite: Map showing segments of railway used at various times as part of the transcontinental route of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The background comes from the 1888 Map No. 1—Washington Territory—Showing Lines of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Rail- way, by Fleming, Brewster & Alley, New York.

TRANSCONTINENTAL LINK COMPLETED tween Tacoma, in western Washing- ton, and Minnesota. Work on that The construction of the NP in project, in eastern Washington, did Thurston County will be discussed not start until October 1879. The in the final part of this article, after task began at Ainsworth, a town outlining how the railroad’s trans- newly founded by the NP on the east continental line was completed. Not side of the Columbia River, immedi- until several years after 1874 was an ately south of modern-day Pasco. unbroken rail link established be- The new right-of-way was designated

9 the Pend d’Oreille Branch and it ex- to run over OR&N track between tended northeast to Sandpoint, Ida- Wallula and Portland. Finally, in ho. Approximately one year later, 1884, a rail car ferry was placed in the NP built a narrow gauge railroad service between Goble and Kalama from Ainsworth south to Wallula. It and the NP finally could provide a was operated by the Walla Walla & somewhat disjointed transcontinen- Columbia River Railroad (also nar- tal service. row gauge) and was used to deliver construction material to Ainsworth. But a surprising event occurred in Undoubtedly, much of that freight the last month of 1883. Henry Vil- had arrived at Wallula via the Co- lard was outmaneuvered by rivals lumbia River. and forced to resign from the boards of both the NP and the OR&N. The

Several important events occurred in new leadership at the OR&N felt 1881. The narrow gauge line be- they had the NP at a disadvantage. tween Ainsworth and Wallula was They tried to increase fees payable converted to standard gauge and the by the NP for running trains along NP began operating that segment of the Columbia River over OR&N track itself. At Wallula, the NP could track. interchange traffic with the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company rail- This prompted the NP to reconsider road (OR&N), which ran along por- building its own line into western tions of the south bank of the Co- Washington. A decision was made to lumbia River and had itself been construct the Cascade Branch of the converted to standard gauge in NP. By November 1885, track origi- 1881. Henry Villard, who controlled nating from Pasco had reached El- the OR&N, managed to gain tempo- lensburg. The branch was completed rary control of the NP as well. in June 1887, using a series of switchbacks at the summit of Stam- The OR&N began continuous train pede Pass. With that, the NP finally service between Wallula and Port- had its own continuous transconti- land in 1882. The NP completed sev- nental railroad between Tacoma and eral important projects of its own in the Great Lakes. Work had already 1883. It built a line north from Port- started on a tunnel under Stampede land, on the west side of the Colum- Pass in January 1886. It was bia River, to Goble, Oregon (across opened to traffic in May 1888, great- the river from Kalama). In the same ly improving efficiency on the Cas- year, Henry Villard presided over a cade Branch. ceremony (at Gold Creek, Montana) driving the last spike in the segment How this broader history affected of track between Wallula and Minne- Thurston County can now be more sota. However, trains from the east easily understood. Several factors could still not reach Tacoma and to caused Olympia to fail in its bid to travel as far as Goble, they also had become the western terminal of the

An 1883 photograph of the Northern Pacific station (on right) at Tenino. The bunting on the buildings was in celebration of the joining of the rails at Gold Creek, Montana. Photo courtesy of the Tenino Depot Museum.

railroad. They will be discussed at A member of the NP Board of Direc- the end of this article. tors, Thomas H. Canfield of Burling- ton, Vermont, was selected to lead SELECTING A PUGET SOUND TERMINAL the survey party, which travelled by train to San Francisco and then Though chartered in 1864, until overland to Portland and farther 1869 the NP lacked a source of north. Canfield’s findings, pub- funds that could be used to start lished in Partial Report to the Board building. But in 1869, the banking of Directors of the Northern Pacific houses of Jay Cooke agreed to bro- Railroad, tended to favor Port Town- ker the sale of bonds worth $100 send for the western terminal, most- million toward construction of the ly because there had been little land line. Before this deal was struck, speculation there and property Cooke insisted that an additional could be acquired cheaply. Palmer’s survey be made of the route in west- “The Northern Pacific Railroad and ern Washington, including a recom- Its Choice of a Western Terminal” mendation for the site of a terminal describes the Canfield party’s in- on Puget Sound. spection of various places on Puget 11

Sound: “The Oregon Steam and Nav- unsuitable because the water there igation Company had provided a was too deep for ships to easily find steamship for the benefit of the sur- anchorage. Seattle received a poten- vey group. Something less than tially positive recommendation. three days were spent on it touring Generally negative recommendations about the waters of Puget Sound. were given to Whidbey Island, Fidal- Though the party examined possible go Island, and Bellingham Bay. Not sites extending from Olympia on the unexpectedly, Swan, a prominent south to Bellingham Bay and Victo- resident of Port Townsend, found ria on the north, Canfield did not that place to be the most favorable, feel he had sufficient time nor local as did Canfield. knowledge to make good recommendations. He, therefore, hired James However, when construction of the

G. Swan to make reports on specific NP began at Duluth, Minnesota in sites. July 1870, a western terminal had still not been specified. Nonetheless, “The first prospective site was Budd’s Inlet near Olympia. Swan’s exami- nation revealed its most shining attribute to be its proximity to Portland. He consequently inferred a sooner completion date for the rail section to that point. The greatest disadvantage of Budd’s Inlet was the large expanse of mud flats exposed at low tide.”

Swan went on to critique several other locations and all his descriptions appeared in Canfield’s report. Nisqually Harbor was felt to be on a par with Budd’s Inlet in terms of suitability. Steilacoom was rejected because it Plat of Puget City on Hogum Bay. It was recorded April 7, offered no protected har- 1870 and vacated (returned to the status of non-platted bor. Commencement Bay land) May 6, 1873, after it was clear that the railroad (the site of “Old Tacoma”) would not terminate there. Image courtesy of Washington was felt by Swan to be State Archives—see bibliography.

12 a frenzy of land speculation was already well under way in the Puget Sound country in general, and Thurston County in partic- ular. Butler’s Cove, Boston Har- bor, Hogum Bay (Puget City), Gull Harbor, and of course Olympia all represented them- selves as the probable site for the terminal.

On July 23, 1870, Olympia’s Daily Pacific Tribune reported: “Olympia the Terminus! ---The First Stake Driven! The long agony is over. The painful sus- pense suffered by the people of Olympia and rival points on Pu- get Sound, for a year or two, is ended. Olympia is the favored spot. Puget City (or Hog’em), Steilacoom, Tacoma, Seattle, and all other claimants for the distinction, are left out in the cold. Alas for the calculations and hopes of the many who have been purchasing and spec- ulating in lots and acres at the only eligible places (so represented) for the terminus of the Clark’s Addition to Olympia, as platted in 1871. Northern Pacific Railroad! They Note the presence of the projected line of the have all come to grief. “North Pacific Railroad” along the west side of Budd Inlet. Image courtesy of Washington State “At about 7 o’clock, this morn- Archives—see bibliography. ing, the Northern Pacific Rail- road surveying party, under Col. Fife, commenced operations at Unfortunately, placement of a sur- the water’s edge in Olympia. Their vey stake was by no means a guar- initial spike was driven in the center antee that Olympia was going to be of Adams Street, between Third and the terminal. In fact, over the next Fourth Streets, at tidewater. It bears two years, railroad surveying parties this inscription: N. P. R. R. Sta. 1, were spotted frequently in several established July 23, 1870. J. P. locations around the county. Clear- Fife, Eng.” ly, some of those surveys provided 13 valuable information to the NP as it nized the Olympia Branch Railroad fine-tuned its right-of-way. However, Company, with capital of $400,000. it is easy to imagine that others may Its purpose was to negotiate with the have been performed merely to dis- NP and bring the railroad to Olym- guise the company’s real intent. pia under the most favorable cir- cumstances. Numerous Olympia- In December 1870, Marshall Blinn area residents pledged to donate and several other businessmen orga- land to the NP for its terminal facilities, with those properties to be held in trust by Blinn until the arrangement was final- ized. One proposal considered was to offer land, which

today comprises Watershed Park, to the NP for use as the terminal’s rail yard.

IRA BRADLEY THOMAS , SECRET A GENT OF THE LAKE SUPERIOR AND PUGET SOUND LAND COMPANY

Ira Bradley Thomas, a resident of Herkimer, New York, appeared on the scene in the fall of 1871. In October, he purchased several pieces of land, all of which were northeast of Olympia. These properties were separate from the parcels held in trust by Blinn. Some were located near Gull Harbor and others, on the west side of South Bay.

By the beginning of 1872, the NP indicated that downtown Olympia would not be the ter- Land purchased by Ira Bradley Thomas in 1871. The minal. The January 26, parcels are shaded gray. Background map is The 1872, Kalama Beacon report- County-Engineer’s New Road Map of Thurston Coun- ed: “So far as we hear, the ty, Washington, 1909. Image courtesy of Washington surveys of Budd’s Inlet as to State Archives: AR-270-B-003089. the R. R. terminus on the

1872 plat of Thomas’ Addition to Olympia Washington Territory. Image courtesy of Wash- ington State Archives—see bibliography.

east or west side will not be reported Inlet, at Gull Harbor. History of on for some weeks yet.” Thurston County, Washington, by Rathbun, suggests that Thomas was Later in 1872, Ira Bradley Thomas actually associated with the Lake used some of his land, within the Superior and Puget Sound Land William Billings Donation Land Company. The land company was Claim, to plat Thomas’ Addition to similar to a modern-day holding Olympia, Washington Territory. This company in that the NP was under raised suspicion that the terminal its control. But the primary goal of would be on the east side of Budd the NP was to build a railroad, while 15 the purpose of the land company including the excavation of 60,000 was to make money. The Lake Supe- yards of rocky material from the “Big rior and Puget Sound Land Compa- Cut,” building a bridge over the ny accomplished this by selling the Cowlitz River, and driving pilings for lands granted to it and through a three-quarter-mile trestle. Sepa- speculation on townsite properties. rate crews worked on all these projects at the same time. In an attempt to conceal his rela- tionship with the land company, It is important to note that some Thomas had entered into a secret portions of the path taken by the trust agreement with one Philo Os- railroad, when first constructed, good, who apparently had become were later re -engineered. The origi- the legal owner of the Thomas prop- nal Cowlitz River bridge was approx- erties by February 1872. Incredibly, imately 0.8 mile to the north of the Thomas also sold the parcels to Ed- one now in use. Montgomery’s crew ward S. Smith, an acknowledged used a construction site known as agent of the Lake Superior and Pu- “Pumphrey’s” at the north end of the get Sound Land Company. This de- four-mile segment described above; ceptive behavior was so effective in it was located immediately north- hiding the actual ownership of these west of the older Cowlitz River rail- properties that in 1893, titles to road bridge. Sited on the east side of them were still being contested in Olequa Creek, Pumphrey’s was op- court. posite the future village of Olequa, which developed on the creek’s west BUILDING THE RAILROAD IN bank. WESTERN WASHINGTON J. L. Hallet was awarded the con- This is a good place to review the tract to build thirty miles of railroad progress of railroad construction in to the north of the thirty-five total the early 1870s. Groundbreaking for miles completed by Montgomery. the western segment occurred at Hallet’s construction began at two Kalama in May 1870. With the arri- places. One crew worked northward val of construction materials and a at milepost 35, while a second pro- locomotive in July 1870, work on ceeded south from “Hodg - the roadbed began. Col. J. B. Mont- den’s,” (within the Stephen Hodgden gomery had the contract to build the Donation Claim; “Hodgden’s” was first twenty-five miles of the line, approximately one mile west of from Kalama to the Toutle River. downtown Tenino). The May 30, That segment was finished in April 1872 Kalama Beacon reprinted an 1871. Montgomery also received an- article from Olympia’s Tribune: other contract to construct the next “From a gentleman just in from the ten miles of track to the north. The railroad front we learn something of terrain in the first four of those ten the work on this end of the railroad. miles presented several challenges, “The bed of the road is ready for the

16 ties and iron for a distance of nearly to be located. The response ap- ten miles [to the south] from the peared in the July 6, 1872 Olympia place of beginning near Transcript and seemed reassuring: Hodgden’s . . . Mr. Hallet has also a “Terminus Settled – The growlers in large force operating on the south- our community about the tardiness ern end of his section, approaching of the Railroad Company in settling every day nearer the men on this the final terminus on Budd’s Inlet, end of the line. In another six weeks can now rest with ease. The follow- it is expected the two forces will ing letter from the Company’s meet, the road being entirely graded Agents fixes the point on the east and ready for the ties. To lay the ties side of the Inlet. A depot will be will take about four weeks, to lay the made at Tumwater, Swantown, and track about as many more, and on the terminus on the Wylie Claim. We the first of October the iron horse feel confident that the road will be will be running over the completed built to this point by the 1st of Janu- road to Hodgdon’s Station [imme- ary, next. This is all and more than diately southwest of the future site the people could ask of the Com- of downtown Tenino], sixteen miles pany. from this city [Olympia].” “PUBLIC NOTICE, Olympia, July 4, A few months before that article ap- 1872. To donors of Lands, etc., for peared, the March 8, 1872 Kalama railroad purposes: The following let- Beacon described the situation in ter was received by the undersigned Olympia: “The locating engineer [Marshall Blinn] on the 3rd inst., and corps, now surveying the terminus is hereby made public for the benefit site in, and adjoining Olympia, un- of whom it may concern. der superintendence of Hubert C. Ward, C. E., has concluded surveys “Sir: - We have the honor to ac- on both the east and west sides of knowledge the receipt of your favor Budd’s Inlet, and about 1st May (as of the 26th inst., requesting us to an- rumored) the terminus site at Olym- nounce to the donors of land at pia will be decided upon in the prop- Olympia where the line of railroad er quarter, and very probably a fur- referred to in our communication to ther letting to tide-water from the you of the 30th of April, 1872, and at northern end of Hallet’s contract.” what point it terminates.

SPRAGUE ASSURES OLYMPIANS THE “Said line of railroad runs to the east TERMINAL WILL BE ON BUDD INLET side of Budd’s Inlet to the Billings or Wylie donation claim, said claim be- But in Olympia, the natives were ing in sections 25, 26, 35, and 36 of growing restless. On June 26, 1872, township 19 range 2 west and a Marshall Blinn wrote a letter to point will be selected on one of said John Goodwin and John Sprague, claims for freight and passenger de- inquiring where the NP terminal was pots where said line will terminate. 17

Very respectfully yours, John N. mittee to recommend a finalist from Goodwin [and] John W. Sprague, among the three towns still in the

Special Agents, N. P. R. R. Co.” running.

Reinforcing this statement of intent OLYMPIA ELIMINATED FROM was the fact that on July 5, 1872, COMPETITION FOR THE TERMINAL Ira Bradley Thomas platted Thomas’ Addition to Olympia, located within By the fall of 1872, the decision to the Billings donation claim. Howev- bypass Olympia was common er, Thomas died intestate (without knowledge. The November 2 edition leaving a will) shortly thereafter, on of the Kalama Beacon reported “The October 9. That posed a problem for next forty-mile extension from the NP, which would have preferred Hodgdon’s northward down the to have clear title to these lands, ra- sound, will soon be announced as ther than awaiting the result of let for construction. . . . We copy Thomas’ probate. from the Olympia Tribune the following description of the line of route: THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD FLIRTS WITH BANKRUPTCY ‘The line of the road extends from Hodgdon’s (Tenino) to Yelm Prairie, “The Northern Pacific Railroad and from there to the vicinity of the Its Choice of a Western Terminus claim of a man named Temple, a

1869-1887” describes the precarious mile and a half from the Puyallup position and deteriorating condition River . . .’ ” of NP finances toward the end of the summer of 1872. It was imperative The article also said that a one-mile that a western terminal be selected extension of the railroad, from Hodg- quickly, so that investor confidence den’s to the spot where the Tenino (and bond sales) might be stabilized. station was to be built, was almost A selection committee was formed completed. The December 7, 1872 from the NP Board and sent urgently Beacon noted: “On Monday last, the to Puget Sound in late September. It turn-table at Tenino (the northern was critical that the railroad be com- terminus) was in working condition, pleted before available funds were having been completed on the previ- exhausted. After touring Puget ous Saturday.” Sound for a week, the committee eliminated all sites except Tacoma, The April 19, 1873 Beacon con- Seattle, and Mukilteo. Apparently, firmed that Col. Montgomery was the demise of Ira Bradley Thomas the recipient of a contract to build had eliminated Olympia from con- forty miles of railroad north of sideration. Competition for the ter- Tenino. Clearing and grubbing minal became even more intense (essentially, stump removal) had al- than it had been previously. It would ready begun. The May 17 Beacon take nine more months for the com- reported that Montgomery’s contract

TACOMA CHOSEN AS PUGET SOUND TERMINAL

“The Northern Pacific Rail- road and Its Choice of a Western Terminus 1869- 1887” notes that the NP committee to select a western terminal met on June 30, 1873 and recommended Tacoma be chosen. The full board accepted the recommendation on July 3, 1873, making it official.

The final routing into Taco- ma was described in the July 21 Beacon. “The road-bed is graded eleven miles from Des Chuttes to the Nisqually Riv- er, across which a second bridge is to be erected so soon as construction trains can reach there.

“One mile northward of Nisqually, the new line directly toward Tacoma diverg- es westerly from the recently located line to the Puyallup, and is said to be only a dis- 1876 Territory of Washington map, drawn by C. Roe- tance of twenty-two miles ser. The Northern Pacific Railroad was in full operation from the Nisqually to the through Thurston County. The Olympia & Tenino Rail- road, a narrow gauge line conceived after Olympia Terminus.” was bypassed, had been surveyed and partially graded, but would not start running until 1878. This map THE PANIC OF 1873 was published by the U. S. Department of the Interior, General Land Office. Adding to the railroad’s financial headache, the Panic had been extended to one hundred of 1873 began officially on miles, which would have taken the September 18, 1873. It was in- rails to a point about thirty miles duced, in part, by the fragile mone- north of Seattle. tary condition of the NP. Jay Cooke’s New York and Philadelphia banking 19 houses failed. In an unrelated in any case, it would need to build housekeeping move on October 13, as far as Tenino. After that, it could

1873, the NP conveyed all Thurston decide how far north it would be County properties donated to it, and possible to extend the line before held in trust by Marshall Blinn, one of two events occurred: funding back to their original owners. ran out, or its congressional mandate expired. No doubt the NP con- Capping an almost superhuman sidered Olympia to be its primary building effort, the NP held a “last fallback option for a terminal until spike” ceremony for the Kalama- Ira Bradley Thomas died. After that, Tacoma right-of-way on December Tacoma moved into the fallback po- 16. The railroad had met its con- sition. In mid -1873, the NP Board of gressional mandate by a single day! Directors realized they could not

reach farther north than Tacoma be-

WHY THE TERMINAL WAS NOT fore time on their mandate expired. LOCATED ON BUDD INLET As it turned out, the railroad just barely made it to Tacoma in time. Why Olympia was eliminated from consideration for the NP’s western Fortunately, the disappointment and terminal is a question that has been anger experienced by local residents debated since the decision was made when Olympia lost its bid to be the in 1872. Several factors influenced terminal, has faded long ago. Budd the choice. Olympia was closer to Inlet still has a pleasing appearance Kalama and construction costs to go and is environmentally cleaner than there would have been less than for it would have been, had the terminal places to the north. On the other wound up there. As the saying goes, hand, a longer right-of-way would “Be careful what you wish for!” net the company significantly more ______sections of saleable property, through government land grants. BIBLIOGRAPHY

The site selected in Tacoma had an Armbruster, Kurt E., Orphan Road—The excellent harbor. It was near the Ta- Railroad Comes to Seattle, 1853-1911. coma mud flats and distant from Pullman, Washington: Washington State “Old Tacoma,” where the water was University Press, 1999. too deep for anchorage. The Olympia Blankenship, Georgiana Mitchell, Early harbor, had it been chosen, would History of Thurston County, Washington. have required frequent dredging. Olympia, Washington: Publisher not identified, 1914. The overriding factor in choosing Ta- coma was financial. NP finances Canfield, Thomas H., Partial Report to were precarious, despite bond sales, the Board of Directors of the Northern soon after construction began. Dur- Pacific Railroad. Private circulation, ing 1872, the company realized that, 1870.

Dwelley, Arthur G., Prairies & Quar- ries—Pioneer Days Around Tenino— 1830-1900. Tenino, Washington: Inde- CAN YOU IDENTIFY pendent Publishing Company, 1989. THIS PHOTO? Palmer, Robert Dean, “The Northern Pa- cific Railroad and Its Choice of a West- ern Terminus 1869-1887.” Seattle, Overleaf: Last year, the Tumwater Washington: Master’s Thesis, University Historical Association donated this of Washington, 1968. framed photo to the Schmidt House,

owned by the Olympia Tumwater Rathbun, J. C., History of Thurston County, Washington. Olympia, Washing- Foundation. ton: Publisher not identified, 1895. The photo shows a group of girls Government Sources working in a garden. The girls are Washington State Archives, Thurston for the most part dressed alike, with County Government, Auditor, Plats, white blouses, dark skirts, ties, and Right of Way, Volume 1, pages 23 (Puget bonnets. To the left stands a man City) and 42 (Clark’s Addition to Olym- holding a garden tool and a bunch of pia); Volume 2, page 12 (Thomas’ Addi- beets or radishes. The title of the tion to Olympia). photo is merely “Tumwater Country-

Newspapers – Various dates side, circa 1900. Courtesy Olympia Olympia Daily Pacific Tribune Brewing Company.” Olympia Transcript Kalama Beacon The framed photo was once dis- Washington Standard played at the old Sambo’s Restau- ______rant in Tumwater.

Dr. Hannum is a retired physician Unfortunately, nothing more than and surgeon who spent his early that is known. Who are the girls pic- years in Michigan. He arrived in tured here? Were they from a local western Washington in 1971 as a girls’ school? Where was their gar- member of the U.S. Public Health Ser- den located? vice. Railroad history has been a life- long interest, and he has written sev- If you have any helpful ideas, please eral books on the subject. contact curator Karen Johnson at 360-890-2299 or at Karen [email protected].

If we receive any useful information, we’ll print it in a future issue of the Journal.

Tumwater countryside, circa 1900. See previous page. Photo courtesy of Tumwater Olympia Foundation. 22

ANCY IM ARSONS N J P : THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A MASTER COWLITZ-NISQUALLY NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET WEAVER

Drew W. Crooks

Baskets were traditionally important to Native Americans of the South Puget Sound region as both practical storage containers and honored prestige items. Even more, basket weaving was a major form of artistic expression for Native women of the area. Over time there have been a number of master basket makers in the South Puget Sound region. One such artist was Nancy Jim Parsons, a Cowlitz-Nisqually basket weaver who lived from circa 1871 to 1918. She created baskets during a time of great change when Native Americans were being pressured to assimilate into Euro-American society. Like many other Native individuals, Par- sons worked hard to preserve aspects of traditional culture. Fortu- nately, a number of her baskets sur- vive in public and private collections. Study of these baskets, com- bined with historical research, has led to a greater understanding of Parsons and her wonderful cultural legacy. Nancy Jim Parsons (circa 1871—1918) was TRADITIONAL BASKET MAKING a master Cowlitz-Nisqually Native American basket weaver. She left a tangible legacy of Native basket making techniques of wonderful baskets for future generations. South Puget Sound included coiling, Photo courtesy of a private collection.

23 twining, and plaiting. Nancy Jim later life only those ‘who were good Parsons concentrated on creating at it’ actually engaged in it. Such coiled baskets. Anthropologist Mari- baskets were items to be accumulat- an Smith commented about this ed, given as gifts and exchanged in type of basketry in her book titled trade, and, consequently, bore an

The Puyallup-Nisqually: economic importance.”1

“Coiled water-tight baskets were Also, local historian Delbert McBride made by women and used for stone- noted in his writings that coiled bas- boiling, for holding liquid foods, and kets remained significant after the for picking berries. There can be lit- introduction into Native American tle doubt that the coiled basket over- culture of such Euro -American shadowed the twined basket, howev- items as iron or copper kettles. He er useful the latter might have been. stated that “Indian women contin- Prestige attached to the maker of ued to make beautiful and servicea- any coiled basket and especially to ble coiled and other types of basket- the makers of fine ones. All little ry, and took great pride in their girls learned the technique but in workmanship. The possession of ‘hard’ baskets made from cedar root was considered a form of personal wealth and prestige, and these were handed down from generation to

generation, being carefully handled and stored to keep them from dirt, mildew and insect damage.”2

Through time, Native basket makers of exceptional skill lived in the South Puget Sound region. Sadly, many of these master basket weavers are now forgotten. But fortunately, memories of a few remain. For example, an individual named Si-ah- gut is known to have created excellent examples of coiled basketry. Like Parsons, she was Cowlitz- Nisqually. Judge James Wickersham of Tacoma collected some baskets This large berry basket with a braided directly from Si-ah-gut in the 1890s rim, created by Nancy Jim Parsons, is part of the collection of the Washington and recorded a little information 3 State Historical Society in Tacoma. Coiled about her. But we know more about with full imbrication, the woven piece Parsons and her work. This features a mountain-and-tree design. knowledge comes from historical re- Photo courtesy of author. search, much of it carried out by

This marriage certificate for Nancy Jim and John Parsons records their May 1892 marriage in Thurston County by Justice of the Peace A. H. Manier. Image courtesy of Washington State Archives.

Delbert McBride, and study over Intermarriage among regional tribes time of baskets preserved in private was common. In any case, this artis- and public collections. tic individual was born in present- day Southwest Washington around THE LIFE OF NANCY JIM PARSONS 1871.5 Her father was a man named Jim, and records identified the fu- Nancy Jim Parsons was of Cowlitz- ture master basket maker before Nisqually Indian descent. Delbert marriage as Nancy Jim.6 Parsons’ McBride noted that the basket weav- marriage license listed the maiden er was also “possibly” part Yakima.4 name of her mother as Taleth.7 25

As seen in her portraits, Parsons signs, adapting older themes, which, grew up to be a dignified individual. she said, came to her in ‘dreams.’ ”9

She was especially proud of her long Parsons became an active basket hair.8 Parsons, according to Delbert maker, weaving baskets from the

McBride, “learned to make baskets 1880s to her death in 1918.10 On in her girlhood, instructed and en- May 8, 1892 Nancy Jim married couraged by her older female rela- John Parsons at Chambers Prairie tives. She immediately showed con- in Thurston County. A. H. Manier, a siderable talent in her original de- Justice of the Peace, officiated at the ceremony. 11 At that time, 21-year- old Nancy resided at Nisqually. Her 22-year -old husband was living at Nisqually and working as a farmer.12

John was a Nisqually Tribal member with a Euro- American father and a Native American mother. 13

Nancy and John Parsons stayed on the Nisqually Indian Reservation after their marriage. Delbert McBride noted that they resided “on John’s allotment on Reservation Road, on

the Thurston County portion” of the Reservation.14 The couple had no children. The 1910 Federal Census listed John Parsons as a farmer and his wife as a “basket weaver in own home.” The Census also noted that while John Parsons was illiterate, Nancy was able to read and write.15

On March 17, 1918 Parsons died of stomach cancer at her family home.16 That day the Session minutes of the Nesqually (Indian) Presbyterian Church stated “. . . we extend to our dear brother John In Lacey’s Ruddell Pioneer Cemetery the gravesite of Nancy Jim Parsons is Parsons, our most sincere sympathy marked by a small obelisk. The birth in his sad bereavement in the death year recorded on the stone is apparently of his beloved wife, who passed away incorrect since marriage records and cen- at seven o’clock this morning.”17 suses indicate that the basket weaver Both John and Nancy were members was born in either 1871 or 1872. Photo of the Church. courtesy of author.

Catherine McLeod Mounts (1845—1933) assembled during her long lifetime an excellent collection of Native American baskets. This collection included a number of baskets made by Nancy Jim Parsons, a friend and possibly a relative of Catherine. Photo courtesy of a private collection.

Parsons was buried on March 19 at of strong efforts to assimilate Native the Ruddell Pioneer Cemetery in pre- Americans into Euro-American soci- sent-day Lacey.18 Established in ety. Boarding schools, land allot- 1852, this cemetery holds the re- ments, and other reservation poli- mains of many early inhabitants of cies put great pressure on tradition- the Lacey area.19 A small obelisk al Indian culture.22 In a sense, Par- with the basket weaver’s name, and sons’ basketry was a form of cultur- an apparently incorrect birth date of al resistance which helped preserve 1868,20 was erected at her gravesite. a major form of Native artistic ex- John Parsons later moved to the pression. At the same time, the turn Chehalis Indian Reservation.21 of the 20th Century was a golden age for non-Native collecting of Indian NANCY JIM PARSONS’ BASKETS baskets.23 This popular interest in basketry, often expressed in home Parsons made baskets during a time decorating, must have strengthened 27 the market for Parsons’ baskets. that she actually went out and Furthermore, as seen in the example picked berries in. They have the of sewing baskets, at least some of rawhide or deer skin loop that you her work was influenced by Euro- can put a carrying strap on. By the

American cultural patterns and time I was a child, I remember they market demands. were well -caked inside with black- berry juice and huckleberry juice. Baskets created by Parsons are pre- Those were her working baskets, but served in several collections. Especially significant for understanding Parsons’ basketry is the Mounts Family Collec- tion, which includes a group of baskets specifi- cally known to have been made by this Cowlitz- Nisqually master weaver. C a t h e r i n e M c L e o d Mounts, an individual of part Cowlitz and Quinault ancestry who lived from 1845 to 1933, A shallow bowl-shaped basket made by Nancy Jim Par- assembled much of the sons is preserved in a private collection. The looped rim Mounts Collection from piece is also coiled with full imbrication. The geometric circa 1890 to 1920.24 design is especially imaginative. Photo courtesy of author. The collection meant much to Catherine Mounts. Delbert these [in the white cloth bags] were McBride, the great-grandson of her show pieces. In fact, she could Catherine, described the situation in have started a little museum, right a 1985 interview: on her own.”25

“Because her mother and grandpar- Interestingly, the Mounts Family ents had brought her up in the Indi- Collection was studied in 1916 by an ways, this collection of baskets noted anthropologist Herman and other artifacts was her accumu- Haeberlin. Catherine Mounts and lated wealth. She kept most of these other Indian elders served as in- things stored away. Her large coiled formants for a book written by basket collection was kept mainly in Haeberlin and Erna Gunther. It is white cloth bags and, probably, the titled The Indians of Puget Sound.26 reason that they look like they have- This work, published by the Univer- n’t been used or misused was they sity of Washington in 1930, has were taken care of with a great deal been used as a textbook in many of pride. There were other baskets college classrooms over the years.

Both family tradition and early mu- 20th Century study of Indian basket- seum records identify a number of ry that “. . . the western or Cowlitz the baskets in the Mounts Collection district produced the perfect imbri- as coming from Nancy Jim Parsons. cated basket, with more coils to the Why so many from one weaver? Be- inch, more stitches in the same cause Catherine McLeod Mounts space and also more beautiful de- had a personal connection to the signs.”29 The Cowlitz and Nisqually master basket maker. As Delbert Tribes were connected by close eco- McBride wrote, “It is thought that nomic and social ties. “This close- Nancy was a relative of Catherine ness,” observed scholar Robin Mounts – at any rate, they were al- Wright, “is reflected in the similarity ways very close, and many of the of coiled basketry designs produced finely-crafted baskets which Nancy by these groups.”30 produced in her lifetime were either traded or were gifts to Catherine and Parsons created coiled baskets, younger members of the rapidly called sialt by the Nisqually,31 that growing Mounts family, living near- were decorated with imbrication. by.”27 Baskets made by Parsons can Noted art historian Bill Holm has also be found in other collections. described this kind of basketry: For example, two beautiful baskets attributed to her were displayed in an exhibit held at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn, Washington. This exhibit, titled “Master- piece Baskets: Washing- ton’s Native Treasures from Private Collections,” ran from April through August 2005.28

Parsons’ baskets are graceful pieces done in the Cowlitz-Nisqually style. Interestingly, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe has had an excellent reputa- tion for coiled imbricated baskets among fans of This picture shows the bottom of the Parsons basket de- Native American basketry. picted in the previous illustration. Note the meander bot- Anthropologist Otis tom with two rows of beargrass beading. Beading is con- Tufton Mason, for exam- sidered by many basketry experts as a Cowlitz stylistic ple, stated in his early trait. Photo courtesy of author. 29

“The tribes of Puget Sound excelled baskets suitable for storing sewing in the making of hard baskets of ce- supplies or trinkets, and delicately 34 dar root sewn so firmly as to be wa- crafted miniature baskets. The tertight. The roots were split into rims of her baskets are also worth long splints and a narrow strip from considering. They are either braided the smooth, outer surface of the root or looped. Bottoms of the baskets was used to sew a bundle of the are usually meander in style. They coarser strips from the inner part often have beading with beargrass, a into a continuous coil. Nearly all Cowlitz stylistic trait. 35 An imagina- coiled cedar root baskets were deco- tive mixture of geometric patterns rated to some degree, usually by a and—on occasion — stylized human process called imbrication in which figures made up the imbricated de- strips of decorative material were signs on Parsons’ elegant basketry. folded and tucked under the stitches She often used variations of the of cedar root as they were made.”32 mountain design, a motif common among Puget Sound Salish tribes.36 The basketry of Nancy Jim Parsons was traditionally produced with nat- C ONCLUSION ural native plant materials. Parsons used cedar root for the coil of her Why should we study Nancy Jim baskets, and wild cherry bark, Parsons and her baskets? This horsetail root, cedar bark, and bear- Cowlitz-Nisqually weaver was a true grass for the imbrication. Natural master of an ancient art form. Her dyes were also used by the master tangible legacy of baskets demon- basket weaver, especially Oregon strates great artistic skill and deter- grape bark to dye white beargrass mination. Simply put, she is signifi- yellow. According to anthropologists cant as a master weaver who created Nile Thompson and Carolyn Marr, wonderful basketry that we can en- “The [Oregon grape] bark was gath- joy today. Furthermore, her life and ered in the summer when it was work sheds light on Native American easier to remove. To make the dye, life in the late 19th and early 20th the bark was bruised and then centuries. This was a time of major boiled in water. The beargrass was change when Parsons, like many then either put into the boiling dye other Indians, strived to preserve for fifteen to thirty minutes or left to elements of traditional culture in the stand in a cooled dyebath for two to face of assimilation efforts. In other seven days. In both cases the length words, studying Nancy Jim Parsons of time in the dye determined the and her work helps us understand darkness of the yellow.”33 aspects of Native cultural continuity and change in the South Puget During her lifetime, Parsons made Sound region. various types of coiled baskets: large baskets capable of holding many Research needs to be done on other berries, small berry baskets, shallow master basket weavers of this re-

30 gion. This includes weavers of the Washington, taken by Frank Terry, distant past as well as more recent United States Indian Agent, June craftspeople. In modern times we 30, 1900, Indian Census Rolls, have lost some great basket makers. 1885-1940, Roll 408, Puyallup For example, Hazel Pete of the Che- [Chehalis, Clallam or Skallam, halis Tribe died in 200337 and Bruce Nisqualli, Puyallup, Quinaielt, “Subiyay” Miller of the Skokomish Skokomish, Squaxon, and Other In- Tribe died in 2005.38 The lives and dians], 1894-1900, National Ar- legacies of recent weavers also de- chives Microfilm Publications, Mi- serve investigation in order to better crocopy No. 595, Washington, DC, comprehend the ongoing and flour- 1965, page 0474). In contrast, Par- ishing traditional art of Native Amer- sons’ gravestone records a birth ican basketry. date of 1868. ______6 For example, the name of Nancy NOTES Jim is used in the marriage return for John Parsons and Nancy Jim 1 Marian W. Smith, The Puyallup- (May 1892) and their marriage cer- Nisqually. Columbia University Con- tificate (May 1892, Thurston County tributions to Anthropology, Volume Marriage Certificates, Washington XXXII. Original publication: New State Archives, Olympia, WA). In the York, NY: Columbia University 1893 Nisqually Indian Census, Nan- Press, 1940. Reprint: New York, NY: cy’s father Jim was recorded as be- AMS Press, 1969, page 305. ing 75 years old, and living with his daughter and son-in-law (Census of 2 Delbert McBride, “The Mounts In- the Nisqually Indians of Puyallup dian Artifact and Basket Collection,” Cons[olidated] Agency, Washington n.d., page 1. taken by Edwin Eells, United States Indian Agent, June 30, 1893, Indian 3 Ibid., pages 1-2. Census Rolls, 1885-1940, Roll 407, Puyallup [Chehalis, Clallam or 4 Ibid., page 2. Sklallam, Nisqualli, Puyallup, Quinaielt, Skokomish, Squaxon, and 5 The marriage return for Nancy Jim other Indians], 1888-93, National indicates that she was born in 1871 Archives Microfilm Publications, Mi- (Marriage Return for John Parsons crocopy No. 595, Washington, DC, and Nancy Jim, May 1892, 1965, page 0377). Thurston County Marriage Returns, 1891 and 1892, Southwest Wash- 7 Marriage Return for John Parsons ington Regional Archives, Olympia, and Nancy Jim, May 1892. WA), while census records suggest the date of 1872 (for example, Cen- 8 Del McBride, transcript of an inter- sus of the Nisqually Indians of view by Judith Irwin, April 1-2, Puyallup Consolidated Agency, 1975, page 1. 31

9 McBride, “The Mounts Indian Arti- newspaper printed an obituary for fact and Basket Collection,” page 2. Parsons on the second page of its

March 19, 1918 issue: 10 Washington State Capital Muse- um, “Del McBride’s Reflections on “Mrs. Parsons Dies. Mrs. John Par- the People of Salmon and Cedar” sons, age 40 [sic ], of Nisqually, videotape, circa 1985. passed away at the family home Sunday morning. She is survived by 11 Marriage certificate for John Par- her husband. Mrs. Parsons was a sons and Nancy Jim, May 1892; and native of the state of Washington. marriage return for John Parsons Funeral arrangements in charge of and Nancy Jim, May 1892. A local Jesse T. Mills will be announced lat- newspaper reported the following on er.”

May 7, 1892: “Indian Marriage. –

Two Nisqually Indians, John Parson 17 “Nesqually (Indian) Presbyterian [s] and Nancy Jim, were married Church, Pierce County, Washington, this week.” Morning Olympian, History And Sessional Records, Olympia, WA, page 4. 1896-1920,” transcribed by Dale Sadler, typescript, no date. 12 Marriage return for John Parsons 18 and Nancy Jim, May 1892. Death Certificate for Nancy Par- sons, Record No. 49, filed March 19,

13 Ibid. John Parsons was listed as 1918. the son of William F. Parsons in the 1879 Thurston County Census, 19 For more information on the cem- Southwest Regional Branch, Wash- etery where Nancy Jim Parsons is ington State Archives. buried, see Lacey Museum, “Ruddell Pioneer Cemetery,” 2003. This bro- 14 McBride, “The Mounts Indian Arti- chure also notes that “Because of its fact and Basket Collection,” page 2. historical significance to the Lacey community, the cemetery was 15 Yelm Precinct-Nisqually Indian placed on the Lacey Historic Regis- Reservation (part of), Thurston ter in 1994 and the National Regis- County, Washington, United States ter in 1995.” 13th Census (1910). Viewed on microfilm, 13th Census, 1910, Wash- 20 See endnote #5 for records that ington, Reel 20, at Washington State give the dates of 1871 or 1872 for Library, Tumwater, WA. the birth of Nancy Jim Parsons.

16 Death Certificate for Nancy Par- 21 In 1925, for example, John Par- sons, Record No. 49, filed March 19, sons is listed on both the census of 1918, Bureau of Vital Statistics, the Chehalis Indians and the Washington State Board of Health, Nisqually Indians. Census of the Olympia, WA. The Morning Olympian Chehalis Indians of Taholah Agency,

Wash., June 30, 1925, taken by W. 27 Ibid., page 2. Anthropologist Mari- B. Sams, Superintendent and Cen- an Smith commented on the im- sus of the Nisqually Indians of portance of baskets as gifts among Taholah Agency, Wash., June 30, the Nisqually and Puyallup Tribes: 1925, taken by W. B. Sams, Super- “Coiled baskets have retained their intendent, Indians Census Rolls, position as gifts of value up to the 1885-1940, Roll 564, Taholah present time.” The Puyallup- [Quinaielt, Chehalis, Nisqualli, Nisqually, page 148. Skokomish, and Squaxin Island In- dians], 1915-25, National Archives 28 Visit by the author on July 3, Microfilm Publications, Microcopy 2005 to the White River Valley Mu- No. 595, Washington, DC, 1965, seum, Auburn, WA. pages 0466 and 0473. 29 Otis Tufton Mason, Aboriginal 22 Assimilation efforts are described American Indian Basketry: Studies in Cesare Marino, “History of West- In A Textile Art Without Machinery. ern Washington Since 1846,” in Santa Barbara, CA: Peregrine Smith, Wayne Suttles, editor, Handbook of Inc., 1976, page 428. This publica- North American Indians Vol. 7: North- tion is a reprint of Mason, west Coast. Washington, DC: Smith- “Aboriginal American Basketry: sonian Institution, 1990, pages 172- Studies In A Textile Art Without Ma- 175. chinery,” in Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 23 For more information on this Institution Showing the Operations, surge of non-Native interest in Indi- Expenditures, and Condition of the an baskets, see John M. Gogol, Institution for the Year Ending June “1900-1910, The Golden Decade of 30, 1902. Report of the U. S. National Collecting Indian Basketry.” Ameri- Museum. Washington, D.C.: Govern- can Indian Basketry Magazine, Vol. ment Printing Office, 1904. V, No. 1, 1983, pages 12-29. 30 Robin K. Wright, “Masterworks of 24 McBride, “The Mounts Indian Arti- Washington Native Art,” in Robin K. fact and Basket Collection,” pages 1, Wright, edited, A Time of Gathering: 3 and 4. Native Heritage in Washington State. Seattle, WA: Burke Museum and 25 Del McBride, interview by Carla University of Washington Press, Wulfsberg, October 28, 1985. Quot- 1991, page 79. ed in a label that was part of “A Tribute to Del McBride” exhibition at 31 Smith, The Puyallup-Nisqually, the Henderson House Museum, page 309. Tumwater, WA, 1999. 32 Bill Holm, The Box of Daylight: 26 McBride, “The Mounts Indian Arti- Northwest Coast Indian Art. Seattle, fact and Basket Collection,” page 3. WA: Seattle Art Museum and Uni- 33 versity Press, 1983, page 56. For Drew Crooks received a bachelor’s more information on the techniques degree in history and anthropology of coiling and imbrications, see Nile and a master’s degree in museum Thompson and Carolyn Marr, studies from the University of Wash-

Crow’s Shells: Artistic Basketry of ington. For over thirty years he has Puget Sound. Seattle, WA: Dushuyay worked with various museums in Publications, 1983, pages 26-30. South Puget Sound, and has written a number of articles and several 33 Thompson and Marr, Crow’s books on the region’s heritage. Shells: Artistic Basketry of Puget Sound, page 24. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

34 McBride, “The Mounts Indian Arti- I would like to recognize the work of fact and Basket Collection,” page 2. the late Delbert McBride, curator emeritus of the Washington State 35 For example, anthropologist Car- Capital Museum in Olympia. During olyn J. Marr in one of her articles his lifetime Del shared his extensive noted that “A basket from the early knowledge of regional history and twentieth century made by Nancy anthropology with many people. He Parsons of the Nisqually Reservation collected key information about shows definite Cowlitz influence Nancy Jim Parsons, who happened (Washington State Capital Museum, to be a friend of his great-

Cat. No. 270/16). The base of her grandmother Catherine McLeod basket is decorated with strips of Mounts. Del’s writings provided the beaded bear grass, as is the Wilkes foundation for this paper. Other ex- piece.” “Salish Baskets from the perts have also contributed infor- Wilkes Expedition,” American Indian mation and insight. They include Art Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 3, Summer Cecelia Carpenter, Bill Holm, Car- 1984, page 47. olyn Marr, Dale Sadler, Marian Smith, Nile Thompson, and Robin 36 Thomson and Marr, Crow’s Shells: Wright. Finally, my thanks go to the Artistic Basketry of Puget Sound, staff of the Washington State Library page 36. for their assistance; to Karen John- son for editing the Thurston County 37 Lisa Pemberton, “Nationally Re- Historical Journal; and to my family nowned Chehalis Tribe Basket for their support of my historical re- Weaver [Hazel Pete] Dies.” The Olym- search and writing. pian, Olympia, WA, January 4, 2003, pages C1-C2. ______

38 Cindy Yingst, “Indian Elder [Bruce] Miller Dies.” The Olympian, Olympia, WA, February 6, 2005. ______

A PERFECT DAY FOR FLYING—

CHARLES LINDBERGH SOARS OVER THURSTON COUNTY

Karen L. Johnson

On May 21, 1927, Charles Lind- dustry. He then shepherded his fam- bergh cut a historic swath through ily and stockholders into a series of the skies over the Atlantic Ocean, business ventures, including owner- when he completed the first non- ship of several upscale hotels stop flight from New York to Paris. throughout the Northwest. No “Lindy,” as he quickly became stranger to publicity, politics or good known, was an instant hero—or as ol’ hometown patriotism, Schmidt instant as was possible in those days before smart phones and Face- book.

When Lindy returned home from Europe, he was awarded the Orteig Prize,1 an accompanying $25,000 check, the Medal of Honor (America’s highest military decora- tion),2 and worldwide recognition. Not content to rest on his laurels, however, Lindy used his newfound fame to promote one of his pet projects, the U.S. Air Mail Service. And promote he did, piloting his plane Spirit of St. Louis on an air tour3 lasting over three months and cover- ing 48 states, our own Washington included.

In early September 1927, Tumwater businessman Peter G. Schmidt was chairing the aviation committee of Charles Lindbergh is shown here with a Olympia’s Chamber of Commerce. model of his airplane Spirit of St. Louis. Schmidt had previously headed the Photo courtesy of Library of Congress: Olympia Brewing Company until LC-H25-126717-C, Harris & Ewing Col- Prohibition destroyed the beer in- lection. 35 and other committee members saw would swing a few miles west to visit an opportunity to join the fervor ac- Olympia. companying Lindbergh’s visit to Washington State. As the big day approached, the

Morning Olympian alerted the citi- Schmidt knew that in just a few zenry. “Air Mail Week” was pro- days, Lindy was due to fly from Se- claimed by Mayor Johnson. 8 Schools attle to Portland. As long as he was announced that children would be in the area, why not drop in on released from class when Lindy flew Olympia? Schmidt fired off a tele- over.9 Plans were formulated to get gram to Seattle’s Mayor Bertha people on the roofs of the major 4 Landes, asking her assistance in buildings in town. The fire depart- persuading Lindy to deviate from his ment would herald Lindy’s approach course by just a few miles for a fly- with six long blasts on the fire siren. by of the state capitol buildings.5 Word got out that Lindy would drop Mrs. Landes lent enthusiastic sup- a personal “air mail” message to port to the idea. But just to be sure, school children as he flew over the Schmidt sent a similar telegram di- capitol campus about 10 a.m. 10 rectly to Lindy. By 9:30 on the morning of Septem- Olympia Mayor James C. Johnson ber 14, Olympia was hopping. The also telegraphed the famous aviator: roofs of the Insurance Building,

“On behalf of the citizens of the capi- Temple of Justice, Capital Apart- tal city I extend to you an invitation ments, and Olympia High School to kindly fly over our city and the were crowded with rubberneckers beautiful capitol buildings on your listening for the drone of an air- trip from Seattle to Portland. Our plane. School kids thronged the entire citizenship is greatly interest- lawns around the Capitol building.11 ed in your flight and the great work Photographers jostled for the best you are doing.”6 angles. And then . . . wait for it . . . yes, an engine! Approaching fast! A The Morning Olympian placed a tele- speck in the northern sky . . . grow- phone call to Donald Kehoe, Lindy’s ing larger . . . the fire siren howl- chief aide, who accompanied him on ing . . . It must be . . . the entire nationwide tour. After ad- vising Kehoe that schoolchildren But it wasn’t. A nugget of fool’s gold, would be on hand to witness the fly- this plane was just an advance party over, Kehoe said, “I shall tell Colonel for the real thing. Piloted by Lt. Phil- Lindbergh of the children, and I am lip Love,12 the scouting plane was sure he will not disappoint them.”7 doing just that—scouting the route for Lindy himself. And several With no additional arm-twisting minutes later, the hero finally ap- needed, Lindy altered his flight peared.13 plan—after flying over Fort Lewis, he

The Spirit of St. Louis soars over the State Capitol building while Olympia residents crowd the roofs of nearby structures. Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives: Lindbergh over the Capitol Building, 1927, by Vibert Jeffers, Susan Parish Photograph Collection.

The Morning Olympian waxed dra- “Flying graceful as a bird on wing, matic: “It was only for a moment he came out of the north, travelling that the Spirit of St. Louis and its at a high speed, and straight as an pilot hovered over Washington’s seat arrow, he shot toward the capitol of government but in that time every dome, dipped and circled. A warm capacity for hero-worship, every sun beat down out of a clear sky. A depth of adulation within the city lazy breeze lifted out of the south- and its people was touched to its west, stirring the flags on the capitol bottom-most point as a united popu- group and the high school. It was a lace glimpsed for a moment Ameri- perfect day for flying. The crowd at ca’s outstanding hero of this age, the capitol grounds recognized the and voiced all that it could offer in monoplane which had carried the terms of praise. Norseman of the Air across the sea 37 to France, and began shouting and bag in which the greetings were en- waving. Lindbergh swung off away cased.” 15 from the capitol and darted over the city, lingered for a moment and Smith and some helpers had to hold came back. On his second trip he up the message for half an hour maneuvered for position, dipped and while throngs of adults and kids dropped a message of greeting, ad- crowded close to read the words dressed to the city of Olympia. Lift- signed by Lindy himself: ing, he circled to the right, straight- ened out, and disappeared. . . .”14 “Because of the limited time and the extensive itinerary of the tour of the In a related article, the Olympian United States now in progress to en- wrote: “A. B. Smith, ground man at courage popular interest in aero- the state house, was the first person nautics, it is impossible for the to reach the message thrown over by ‘Spirit of St. Louis’ to land in your Colonel Lindbergh . . . The throw city. was perfect. It struck the ground midway between the new capitol and “This message from the air, however, the Temple of Justice. School chil- is sent to you to express our sincere dren and adults rushed for the mes- appreciation of your interest in the sage. Smith beat them all, and tour and in the promotion and ex- proudly held aloft the long canvas pansion of commercial aeronautics

Today, the Spirit of St. Louis is on permanent display at the National Air and Space Muse- um (part of the Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, DC. Photo courtesy of Ad Meskens via Wikimedia Commons.

38 in the United States. We feel that we will be amply repaid for all our efforts if each and every citizen in the United States cherishes an interest in flying and gives his earnest support to the air mail service and the establishment of airports and similar facilities. The concerted efforts of the citizens of the United States in this direction will result in America’s taking its rightful place within a very short time as the world leader in commercial flying.”16

The message was also signed by Harry F. Guggenheim, President of the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, and Wil- liam P. MacCracken, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Aeronautics, Depart- ment of Commerce.

Lindy’s visit to Olympia was over quickly, but it had long-term conse- quences. Although a small, rustic airfield had existed on Bush Prairie south of Tumwater since about Newspaper headlines announced Lindy’s 1911, Lindy’s famous fly-over and fly-over on September 14. “Lindy Salutes support from Peter Schmidt17 and Olympia While Enroute South.” Morning other influential community mem- Olympian, September 15, 1927, page 1. bers spurred the City of Olympia to purchase the airfield property in 1928.18 The city soon started im- For further reading: the Timberland proving the field by paving runways Library system has one copy of Lind- and taxiways and building hangars bergh’s autobiography, We: the Dar- and offices. Today, the Olympia Air- ing Flyer’s Remarkable Life Story port, operated by the Port of Olym- and His Account of the Transatlantic pia, proudly claims to be “among the Flight That Shook the World. Many oldest public airports in the United other books have been written about States.”19 Lindbergh’s life, describing his son’s kidnapping and murder, and his Thanks to men like Charles Lind- work with artificial hearts, America’s bergh, who dropped in on a perfect involvement in World War II, and day for flying. ocean conservation. 39

And for further viewing: Visit cities in 48 states (at that time, Alas- www.seattletimes.com/seattle - ka and Hawaii had not yet achieved news/education/1927-movie-footage statehood); Lindbergh gave 147 -of-lindbergh-in-seattle-takes-your- speeches over the course of the tour. breath-away/ to see rare footage of “Guggenheim Tour-48 States.” Lindbergh’s 1927 visit to Seattle. www.charleslindbergh.com (ac- ______cessed August 18, 2016).

NOTES 4 Not only was Bertha Landes the first female mayor of any major U.S. 1 Immigrant Raymond Orteig worked city, she was the only female mayor his way up from a busboy to owner Seattle has ever elected. Although of two hotels in New York. In 1919, she was widely acclaimed, she was he offered a $25,000 prize for the defeated for re-election and served first nonstop flight between New only one term. Seattle Municipal Ar- York and Paris. (That’s almost chives. “Mayors, 1890 -1948.” $350,000 in today’s money.) www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/seattle “Raymond Orteig-$25,000 prize.” - f a c t s / c i t y - officials/mayors www.charleslindbergh.com (accessed August 18, 2016) . (accessed August 18, 2016). 5 “Lindbergh May Fly Over City.” 2 The Medal of Honor was presented Morning Olympian, September 13, to Lindbergh by President Calvin 1927, page 1. Coolidge. The accompanying citation read: “For displaying heroic courage 6 Ibid., page 6. and skill as a navigator, at the risk of his life, by his nonstop flight in 7 “Famous Hero Will Fly Over Capitol his airplane, the ‘Spirit of St. Louis,’ Dome.” Morning Olympian, Septem- from New York City to Paris, France, ber 14, 1927, page 1. 20-21 May 1927, by which Capt. Lindbergh not only achieved the 8 “Air Mail Week Is Proclaimed.” greatest individual triumph of any Morning Olympian, September 13, American citizen but demonstrated 1927, page 1. that travel across the ocean by aircraft was possible.” “Lindbergh, 9 “Lindbergh May Fly Over City.” Charles A.” U.S. Army Center of Mil- Morning Olympian, September 13, itary History. www.history.army.mil 1927, page 6. (accessed September 14, 2016). 10 “Famous Hero Will Fly Over Capi- 3 Lindbergh’s cross-country journey tol Dome.” Morning Olympian, Sep- was financed by the Daniel Guggen- tember 14, 1927, page 1. heim Fund, established by aviation enthusiasts Daniel Guggenheim and 11 The State Capitol building was his son, Harry. The tour visited 92 still under construction when Lind-

40 bergh flew over it. It was not com- American’s newly-inaugurated Boe- pleted until 1928. “Olympia Capi- ing Clipper series, among the largest tol—A History of the Building.” aircraft of the time. Schmidt House www.historylink.org (accessed Au- Archives, Olympia Tumwater Foun- gust 18, 2016). dation.

12 Phillip Love was a friend of Lind- 18 “Airport Site Acquired.” Morning bergh’s, and accompanied him on Olympian, March 4, 1928, page 1. the nationwide tour. Love flew a Fairchild monoplane, and brought 19 “History.” Port of Olympia. along Donald Kehoe of the U.S. De- www.portolympia.com/124/History partment of Commerce. Kehoe (accessed August 18, 2016). served as Lindbergh’s business ______agent and aide on the tour. “Plane Flown by Lindbergh’s Aide.” Dallas Karen L. Johnson has volunteered Morning News, September 27, 1927, and worked in the museum field page 10. since 2001. Her interests in early transportation and the pioneer era 13 “Lindy Salutes Olympia While En- have led to organizing two stage- route South.” Morning Olympian, coach runs between Olympia and September 15, 1927, page 1. Longview, writing many articles on local and regional history, and co- 14 Ibid. authoring with Dennis Larsen two books about a Washington pioneer. 15 “Lindbergh’s Message Is Recovered by A. B. Smith.” Morning Olympian, ______September 15, 1927, page 1.

16 Ibid., page 8. According to the same news article, Smith intended to frame Lindy’s message and present it to “the Chamber of Com- merce for display. Later, he said, he proposes to claim it for his own sou- venir collection.” It is unknown if the message still exists in the Smith family.

17 In 1939, just twelve years after Lindbergh’s history-making flight in Overleaf: Charles Lindbergh’s flight a single-engine single-seat mono- over the Atlantic Ocean inspired plane, Peter G. Schmidt became the many catchy songs. Seen here are first person from the Pacific North- just a few pieces of sheet music dedi- west to cross the Atlantic on Pan cated to Lindy. 41

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, LACEY!

A PHOTO ESSAY

Erin Quinn Valcho

What began as the rural farming LACEY FIRE DEPARTMENT community of Woodland in the late HELPS BUILD A CITY 1800s has grown into the modern, thriving city of Lacey. As Lacey The Thurston Fire District #3 (Lacey reaches its 50th year with a popula- Fire Department—LFD), which start- tion of nearly 45,000, it’s time to cel- ed out in 1948 as an all-volunteer ebrate its roots and look forward to organization, included many com- a bright future. munity leaders among its ranks.

Thurston Fire District #3 (Lacey Fire Department). Photo courtesy of the Daily Olympian.

When the City of Olympia began to Patty Zilsdorf (Miss North Thurston annex land that encroached on the High School, right) pose in the back newly-created fire district bounda- of a Model T fire engine driven by ries, the LFD banded together with Marsh Pugh, a volunteer firefighter.

North Thurston School District, the In the background at left is the Rus- Lacey Chamber of Commerce, and sell House, later Lacey City Hall and Lacey business owners to form the Lacey Museum. At right are the Committee to Incorporate Lacey. truck bays which later became Pope Although a 1964 attempt at incorpo- John Paul II High School. ration failed, Lacey was successfully incorporated on December 5, 1966.1 PANORAMA R ETIREMENT COMMUNITY

This photograph (previous page) was Morris “Moe” Loveless, looking to taken on October 5, 1964 in front of build a new style of retirement com- LFD headquarters on Pacific Ave- munity, put together what he called nue. To raise awareness for Fire Pre- a finance -yourself plan. By paying vention Week, Eliana Herrera (Miss more than a house was worth, retir- St. Placid High School, left) and ees would gain security in their end- of-life -care; the ex- tra money would finance future construction. In 1963,

Loveless’ company, Arbutus Building, built the first three homes of what would become Pan- orama City.2 In just two years, 220 units were built. Loveless is pictured here (on left) at a groundbreaking ceremony on July 23, 1964.

By 1983, Panorama was billed as a “city within a city” offering its residents all of the services, ac- tivities and medical care they might In 1964, Moe Loveless, at left, joins a groundbreaking ceremony need. For a security at Panorama City. Photo courtesy of the Daily Olympian. deposit and a

South Sound Shopping Center. Photo courtesy of the Homann Collection, Lacey Museum. monthly service charge, residents ing.6 The mall’s grand opening took were guaranteed a place to lease for place on October 12, 1966.7 life.3 In 1987, Panorama Corporation became non-profit and came under The lack of cars on the right side of ownership of the residents.4 By the mall indicates that this aerial 2016, Panorama had grown to 1,250 photograph (above) was likely taken residents and more than 800 hous- in the summer of 1966 after Sears ing units.5 had opened, but the rest of the mall had not. At left is Interstate 5. At the THE SOUTH SOUND SHOPPING CENTER top of the photo, Sleater-Kinney Road runs parallel to the mall. The Bob Blume, a local real estate devel- Lacey Drive-In movie theater is visi- oper, envisioned Lacey as the perfect ble at the top right. The theater held spot along Interstate 5 to build a approximately 500 cars and was a modern shopping center, the first of favorite local hangout until a wind- its kind in the South Sound region. storm damaged the screen in 1981. Unable to secure financing from It was torn down in 1988 to make Olympia banks, Blume went all the way for the Fred Meyer Shopping way to New York City to get fund- Center. 45

LACEY CITY COUNCIL EVOLVES LACEY LIBRARY’S QUEST FOR A HOME

In 1973, Lacey voters approved the The North Thurston Library Associa- Optional Municipal Code changing tion formed in 1963 with the mis-

Lacey from a strong mayor form of sion and dream of bringing a library government to a city manager/city to the Lacey community.9 By 1966, council form of government. In the the association had moved out of its 1973 fall election, Mayor Thomas bookmobile into a new storefront lo- Huntamer, left, was replaced by Wil- cation at 4140 Market Square in liam Bush, seated. Former Mayor Lacey.10 In this undated photograph Albert Van Andel is pictured at (right), the old bookmobile is appar- 8 right. This photograph was taken ently being used as a fundraising circa 1974 in Council Chambers in tool. The “thermometer” at left the original City Hall building (later shows that $10,000 has been raised the Lacey Museum). toward the $15,000 fundraising goal, probably for the storefront lo- cation. Not until 1990, after years of grassroots fundraising and support by the City of Lacey, would the busi- est branch in the Timberland library 11 system get its own building.

A NEW CITY HALL

Karen Fraser served on Lacey City Council for over seven years, five of those as Lacey’s first female mayor. Fraser went on to spend eight years as Thurston County Commissioner, four years as a state representative and 23 years as a state senator.12 Fraser is pictured here (photo page 48) with Lenny Wilkens, formerly of the Seattle Supersonics basketball team, cutting the ribbon at the City Hall dedication ceremony in 1979.

When the City of Lacey was incorporated in 1966, the fire district provided office space in its headquarters in a 50-year-old farmhouse on Pacific Avenue.13 But by 1968, the Lacey officials. Photo courtesy of the Ken city had already outgrown the space Balsley Collection, Lacey Museum. and in 1971, a temporary structure

North Thurston Library Association bookmobile. Photo courtesy of the Ken Balsley Collec- tion, Lacey Museum. was built behind it. Needing a per- 2 Berta Kasmar, compiler, Panorama manent solution, the city began a History, The First Fifty Years, 2011. hunt for land to build on. In 1979 the property at 3rd Avenue and Col- 3 “Panorama.” Lacey Museum Re- lege Street was purchased and the search Files. new City Hall was dedicated on Sep- tember 17, 1979.14 City Hall has 4 Ibid. been expanded three times since then, most recently in 2009, when a 5 www.panorama.org (accessed Oc- new wing with three floors and a tober 15, 2016). basement was added. ______6 “Blume.” Lacey Museum People Files. NOTES 7 “South Sound Ready for Grand 1 “City of Lacey: Incorporation.” Opening.” Daily Olympian, October Lacey Museum Research Files. 11, 1966. 47

Karen Fraser and basketball star Lenny Wilkens cut the ribbon at the Lacey City Hall dedication ceremony in 1979. Photo courtesy of the City of Lacey Collection, Lacey Museum.

8 “Tuesdays Primary Offers 2 Key 13 “City of Lacey: City Hall.” Lacey Proposals.” Lacey Leader, September Museum Research Files. 12, 1973. 14 Ibid. 9 “The Library Story.” Lacey Library ______Scrapbook, Lacey Museum. Erin Quinn Valcho is the Lacey Muse- 10 Ibid. um curator and has been a museum professional for 18 years. She re- 11 As of 2014 circulation statistics. ceived a master’s degree in museum www.trl.org/About/Pages/Library studies and anthropology from the Statistics.aspx (accessed October University of Denver. She found her 14, 2016). calling in the lab of an archaeology dig, where she discovered the joy in 12 www.karenfraserforltgovernor. researching the stories that objects com/bio (accessed October 14, and historic photographs can tell. 2016). ______