Osceola old days

Originally published in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, July 31, 2002

The Osceola School class of 1937-38, the last class before consolidation.

In front (from left) are Bob Remitz, Bob Baker, George Guertin, Bob Woodruff, Ben Schweikl, Don LaBrash, Leonard (unknown), Howard Brons, John Jokumsen, Donald Barber, Dick Wilson, and Bob Smith.

The three in the middle are Thelma Minkler, Dorothy Barber, and Norinne Smith.

The girls’ row is Doris Nielsen, Gloria Woodruff, Betty Schweikl, Beth Minkler, Beverly Minkler, (unknown), Margaret DuChateau, Frances Remitz, Barbara Jokumsen, Doris Weston, Bonnie LaBrash, and Esther Baker.

In back are Russell Nielsen, John Milarich, Jow Felchlin, Bob Schweikl, John Baker, Delmer Weston, Lewis Baker, Jack Schweikl, Alfred DuChateau, Gene Remitz, Dick Sorensen, and Gordon Brons.

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Steel bridge at Franklin opened

Originally published in The Seattle Sunday Times, April 11, 1915

County bridge just opened to traffic. The accompanying picture shows the new steel bridge across Green River at Franklin, which has just opened to traffic. It is 288 feet long and spans a gorge 155 feet deep.

With the completion and opening to traffic of the bridge over Green River at Franklin last week, the most important and most expensive unit of bond road project No. 9 has been completed by County Engineer Arthur P. Denton and his force.

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Entertainment in Enumclaw: A view of the ’50s from the balcony

By JoAnne Matsumura

The Legion Hall, left—later the Roxy Theatre—is now the Chalet. The Liberty Theatre, right, was torn down in 1952. The Enumclaw Police Department anchors the corner today.

Enumclaw in the 1950s was bustling with new growth—businesses were upgrading storefronts and buildings and contractors were building new houses in new developments. In fact, residents were encouraged to invite newcomers, and to fix up, clean up, and beautify Enumclaw from top to bottom.

It happened at the Roxy in the 1950s

Do you remember?

• The annual John Deere Day show.
• When Technicolor movies were introduced in 1952.
• Francis the Talking Mule, starring Donald O’Conner.
• Has Anybody Seen My Gal? about the “Turbulent Twenties.”
• Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in Jumping Jacks.
• Spencer Tracy and Gene Tierney in Plymouth Adventure.
• “Family Night” for $1, regardless of the size of your family.
• The new wide-screen Cinemascope, installed in 1954.

And the community responded with its well-known community spirit.

The growth spurred a varied entertainment scene throughout the city. The local newspaper covered the features at the theatres, the performers scheduled to entertain at school and church events, invitations to club events, and a host of other exciting activities for young and old alike.

Entertainment, by definition, is an activity that amuses one and thus entertains us with enjoyment, leisure, relaxation, recreation, and diversion from our daily routine. To entertain also entertains us as we entertain others. Amusements can range from a friendly card game to an elegant evening out with your “sweetie.”

But the local theatre was the place to be.

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Erik Luoma struck by engine in the yards at Black Diamond last night

Originally published in The Seattle Daily Times, June 27, 1902

Luoma, born in Finland in 1870, was a laborer at the Lawson Mine. Date of the photograph at Black Diamond cemetery unknown.

Erik Luoma, a laborer, about 30 years of age, was run over and fatally injured in the Columbia & Puget Sound railroad yards at Black Diamond at 10 o’clock last night.

The engine and train crew of passenger train No. 1 which had finished the passenger run was making up a special freight in the yards, when the accident occurred. The engine was backing with a string of cars when Luoma was seen sitting on the track a few yards ahead of the engine. He was apparently asleep and the engine struck him before it could be stopped. He died a short while afterwards as a result of the injuries.

The body is held at Black Diamond awaiting instructions from the coroner, who was notified this morning. Deputy Coroner Wiltsie went to the scene of the accident this afternoon.

Luoma was a Finlander, who lived with his wife and child at Osceola. He is supposed to have been drinking yesterday and not knowing what he was doing sat down on the track and went to sleep.

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Eight boys, girls win bicycles in C-H subscription campaign

Originally published in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, May 21, 1953

Jerry Steiert, Black Diamond

Three weeks of hard but interesting work came to a close last Saturday night at 9 o’clock when the Courier-Herald subscription campaign ended. Three girls and five boys who worked in the campaign received bicycles and the others received cash commissions of 15% of all money they turned in.

The official judges’ count disclosed that five bicycles went to candidates living in the territory outside Enumclaw city, and three went to boys and girls living in Enumclaw city.

Highest of all candidates was Kelly De Marco, who had first choice of prize bicycles and had his favorite bicycle out of the door in less than one minute after he reached the office when he was telephoned at the conclusion of the vote count on Saturday night.

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Restaurant eyes its corner in history

Originally published in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, October 26, 2011

The original Krain tavern and boarding house, circa 1900. Constructed in the 1890s, the building was torn down in 1907.

By Brenda Sexton

Nearly every day at the Krain Corner Inn, owner Karen Hatch gets a history lesson.

Through the 22 years she’s owned the restaurant at the corner of State Route 169 and Southeast 400th Street, she’s collected newspaper articles, photographs and saved the personal letters folks have written about their visit to the historic building and the area of Krain.

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Founding families, early settlers still call Krain home

Originally published in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, October 26, 2011

By Brenda Sexton

There was a time when the Plateau was covered with bustling, individual communities.

Most had their own school house, community or dance hall and store. They may have had a church, saloon or specialty shop. Most had a band or baseball team. Some had both.

They were filled with farmers, miners and loggers, most arriving from Europe.

Each community had its own heart and soul.

Those areas still serve as reference points for those who live in the Enumclaw area. Ask many today where they live and chances are they will answer with names like Veazie, Osceola, Wabash, Selleck, Birch, Franklin, Flensted, Cumberland, Boise and Krain.

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