College of Mines

Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, May 1, 1930

The College of Mines Building on the University of Washington campus. See article by Professor Joseph Daniels.

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New coal mine to be opened; successor to Black Diamond

Originally published in The Seattle Times, March 23, 1924

As part or a $600,000 development program to be carried out within the next eighteen months, the Pacific Coast Coal Company, it was announced yesterday, will open up a new coal mine in the Cedar River Valley near Indian, less than eighteen miles southeast of Seattle. The mine will be one the largest in Western Washington when fully developed and it is the company’s plan to have it ready to hoist coal for the market a year from next September with a minimum producing capacity of 1,000 tons a day.

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And we also have coal: A Post-Intelligencer motorlogue

Originally published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 17, 1924

Counting the gifts which Nature showered upon the Puget Sound country, we sometimes omit one of the most precious—coal. From Bellingham, 100 miles north, to Centralia, an equal distance south, black nuggets occur in workable deposits. From under Seattle’s southern doorstep, ten miles from Pioneer Square, coal is taken. It is taken from the picturesque foothill country right up to the Cascade Mountains, and over them. Rushing rivers fill our minds with their promise of “white coal.” But don’t forget that, generally speaking, the grimy old king is still on his throne.

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A step back in time: They called it Maple Land

Originally published in North Maple Valley Living, February 2024

By JoAnne Matsumura
Maple Valley Historical Society

The Maple brothers arrived in 1876 and settled along the Duwamish River with trees that were thick, aged, and large. It wasn’t long before it became known as “Maples Place.” E.B. Maple lived west of the racecourse along the river, and Eli Maple was the road superintendent.

By mid-1877, the Seattle daily papers were advertising that Mr. E.B. Maple of Duwamish was offering large acreage tracks that ran along the railroad line. The old resident of King County had to go east for his health.

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The 1930 Central Council

Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, January 31, 1930

Perched on the twenty-first floor of the Smith Tower. Standing left to right: H.B. McFadden (retiring), W.R. Young (retiring), M.H. Davis (new), W.A. Wilson, Manager of Mines, G.F. Clancy, Assistant Manager of Mines, Ted Sthay (retiring), Robert Scobie, Jr., Supt. New Black Diamond Mine, Mike Semsick (new). Kneeling, left to right: James Craig (new), E.A. Bailey (retiring), James Sherwood, George Pearce (new), Robert Simpson, Supt. of Carbonado Mine, and A.R. Wesley.

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A step back in time: Finding the road home

Originally published in Maple Valley Neighbors, January 2024

By JoAnne Matsumura
Maple Valley Historical Society

As I look out at the current weather downpour, I compare it to the news of early February 1924, when there was great concern over King County’s gravel roads, especially in Maplewood and surrounding areas.

The Maplewood gravel roads were finally closed, and drivers were informed to detour to Maple Valley via Cedar Grove and Hobart roads. The city could not get more gravel to the roads quick enough to make them safe.

As the rainy days continued, the Arthur precinct location was rather wet and soggy, and travel was difficult; for some, it was impossible.

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Railroads play big part in city’s history

Originally published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Janaury 2, 1949

Civic spirit of Seattle fed on early troubles with lines

First train—This photo from the files of the Seattle Historical Society shows the first train on the Seattle and Walla Walla R.R. (later the Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad) making an early trip. The road was built by the enterprise of Seattle citizens and the first locomotive, considered a wonder, was named the A.A. Denny. First passenger cars were old wood flat cars with rough board seats. Baseball “specials” ran to Georgetown.

Seattle’s early history and later growth is so inextricably bound up with the promotion and construction of railroads that it is rather astonishing no one has yet written and published even a passably complete account of Western Washington railroad development.

Seattle was made by railroads as surely as Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City were made great by railroads.

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Liz Poli dies, 93

Originally published in the Voice of the Valley, December 10, 1975

Elizabeth Poli, 93, lifetime resident of Maple Valley died November 28 at the Highland Convalescent Center. Services were held Wednesday, December 3, at Faull Funeral Home, Renton, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet, Renton.

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Great coal deposits still remain in state

Originally published in The Seattle Daily Times, November 15, 1953

By Walter Martin

Coal, one of the chief factors in development of Seattle and Washington Territory, has an even more promising future, industry leaders believe.

Government surveys indicate there are potential reserves of 63,000,000,000 tons of bituminous coal within the borders of Washington.

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A step back in time: Maple Valley College of Liberal Arts

Originally published in Maple Valley Neighbors, November 2023

By JoAnne Matsumura
Maple Valley Historical Society

Voice of the Valley, September 24, 1970

Students looked forward to attending Maple Valley College of Liberal Arts to broaden their knowledge of those subjects needed for higher education. It was a four-year private liberal arts school and registration for the fall quarter of 1969 was open for freshman and upper levels.

After a lengthy troubled time with the faculty of the former Pacific Western College, students learned that there were no credentials or degrees to support their applications to higher education schools, and things began to change. The new college was christened Maple Valley College of Liberal Arts and classes were held in a private home.

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