Wilderness Village Shopping Center to be ‘Sweet 16’ years of age this Saturday

Originally published in the Voice of the Valley, July 12, 1978

By Bill Ziegner

Recognize it? The above photo shows Wilderness Village as it looked nearly 25 years ago. A lot has happened since, as indicated by today’s appearance as seen in the recent photo below. This coming Saturday, July 15, merchants of the Wilderness Village Shopping Center will be observing their 16th anniversary.

Sixteen years of steady growth and progress will be observed by the merchants of the Wilderness Village Shopping Center this coming Saturday, July 15.

The “Village” is the largest operation of its kind in the Greater Maple Valley area, its land area consisting of ten business zoned acres with nine more potential business acres in reserve. Its buildings, which contain over 57,000 square feet, house 29 business firms employing some 150 persons. The Village’s net worth is in excess of 2 million dollars.

Additional expansion is being planned for the near future, according to owner Joe Flynn, on five adjoining acres south of the Village.

“We have some ideas about using these acres,” Flynn said, “but they have not yet reached anywhere near the publicity stage. Actually, we’ve been too busy trying to solve our water problem during the last year or two, to give the matter of expansion much thought. We have hopes that public water may be installed in the Village before the end of this summer, and then we’ll start concentrating on future progress.”

The known history of the area now known as the Wilderness Village Shopping Center goes back to a filling station built in the 1920-1930 era and operated by William (Bill) Neal, who also built nine tourist cabins (Neal’s Grove) on the site then known as Neal’s Corner.

After the repeal of prohibition in 1932, Neal, whose home was in what is now part of the Wilderness Tavern, obtained a license to sell beer.

The front room of the house was hastily converted into a “beer parlor,” which was called Wilderness Tavern, the same name it bears today. On Saturday nights, particularly, miners and loggers from miles around flocked to the tavern, imparting much advice and engaging in frequent “demonstrations.”

Soon another addition to the building became a grocery store, another a barber shop. The site then contained four businesses plus the nine cabins.

After a succession of owners who made small improvements but added no new business, the property was purchased by Arvid Larson, a Swedish-born bachelor and businessman who had operated a bus service from Black Diamond to Renton for several years.

Larson had no relatives in this country, and when he died suddenly in 1953, his estate was taken over for disposition by the Swedish Consul.

Enter the Flynns

In April 1954, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Flynn, residents of the Lake Forest Park area of Seattle, were notified that they were the successful bidders on the Larson property.

The surprised Flynns soon found themselves owners of what had become known as Wilderness Corners.

Flynn, a previous Navy officer retired for combat disability, and Mrs. Flynn, a former Navy Civil Service employee, were almost totally inexperienced in business management and knew very little about operating a tavern.

“We were soon taught,” Flynn confided. “The workers who patronized the tavern kept us busy, especially on weekends.”

The Flynns embarked upon an expansion program. Over the years businesses came, some left and were replaced, and new structures dotted the area.

Village Founded

Wilderness Corners became Wilderness Village as it grew and prospered. In July of 1962 a lease agreement was signed between the Flynns and a pair of Seattle investors. Architect Chester Lindsey and Attorney John Edmonds, doing business as Wilderness Associates.

Busy block—store fronts at the Wilderness Village Shopping Center. — Voice photo by Bob Gerbing

This group erected a large building containing Ralph’s Supermarket, Village Drug, and the Village Dry Cleaners. The hardware store, barber shop, beauty salon, and gift shop followed in the ensuing years. Richfield Oil, Standard Oil, and the Seattle-First National Bank purchased properties in the complex.

In recent years, Wilderness Village has continued to grow and expand.

Latest addition, opened in November of last year, was the $75,000 building housing Cedar River Fabrics on the lower floor and offices for three attorneys on the upper floor.

A family affair

Wilderness Village ownership is now under the direction of Wilderness Village Properties which is essentially a family affair, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Flynn and their two children, Jim and Marla. Jim, who has a degree in business administration from Washington State University, is the overall manager.

Today there are 29 business firms making up the Wilderness Village Shopping Center. They are:

Beckler Insurance Agency, Caruso’s Wilderness Inn, Cedar River Fabrics, Craft Center (handicrafts), Craft Center (small engine and equipment shop), Cleaning Center, Dental Clinic (Dr. Guay, Dr. Rude, and Dr. Smith).

Fotomat, Hagen Electric, Louthan and Moe Attorneys, Mardee’s Drive-In Restaurant, Ralph’s Thriftway Supermarket, Seattle-First National Bank (Wilderness Village Branch), Village Drug, Vita-Stress Animal Food Supplement.

Wilderness Chevron, Wilderness Tavern, Wilderness Village Properties, Wilderness Auto Repairs, Wilderness Sweeping Service, Wilderness Medical Clinic, Wilderness Veterinary Clinic, Wilderness ARCO Service Station, Wilderness Nursery and Florist, Wilderness Hair Care Center, Wilderness Barber Shop, Wilderness Coast-to-Coast Hardware.

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Writer adds more facts about saga of Wilderness Village area

Originally published in the Voice of the Valley, July 26, 1978

Editor, the Voice:
In addition to the information given about Wilderness Village in the July 12 issue of the Voice, I would like to add some more facts about the early history of the Village since I have been familiar with it for many years.

In 1934 Bill Neal opened a service station and later built a tavern with living quarters on the property now known as Wilderness Village. What is now the upper level of today’s Wilderness Village Tavern was in 1936 or ‘38 a grocery store run by Spencers. Around 1940 Davies became owners of the property.

Between 1944 and ‘50, Esther and Bill Shields owned the property which became known as Shields’ Corner. It included nearly all of present Wilderness Village including the land where Joe Flynn’s house now stands.

In 1946 Fran and Fran Walter, a man and wife with nearly identical first names (Francis and Frances) opened the only cafe between Renton and Enumclaw in what had been the grocery store. The cafe burned on July 4, 1950.

That same year Larson, who used to operate the stage line between Black Diamond and Seattle, bought the property. The cafe, after restoration, was owned for awhile by Martin and then by Sandheis. In 1951 the service station burned.

In 1954 Joe Flynn bought the property. In 1956 Fran and Fran Walter again bought the cafe. The present cafe upon the hill was built in 1961 and is now known as Caruso’s Wilderness Inn.

I thought this additional information could be of interest to people who might enjoy knowing a little more about the chronological history of Village.

Sincerely,
Verna Norris