PRESERVING THE STORIES OF ISSAQUAH

A Memory Book Project of the

Issaquah Historical Society

Personal Bio

Name:

Kerry and Barbara Anderson

Education—Coming of Age

Were you affected by earthquake damage to the schools in 1949 or 1965?

Park Dept built swimming pool on site of old High School 1971.

Local businesses

What local businesses do you remember?  What items did you purchase there?  Who owned the business?  Where was it located?  What do you remember most about it?

In early 1970 Park Department purchased item from businesses on Gilman Blvd.:

Hi Lo

Grange

Seven Firs

Rental Business.

Had lunch at Don’s Drive-In.

In 1971 we planted the first trees on Gilman and Rainier Avenue.

What is memorable about Lewis Hardware?  What items did you purchase there?

Park Department had account from 1971.

What restaurants or soda shops did you enjoy going to?  Did you go to Rena’s Café, or XXX Root beer?  What was your favorite food?  Were there memorable waiters or waitresses?

1.      Don’s Drive-In

2.      Foothills

3.      Fasano’s

4.      Water hole Tavern

5.      H.H. Tavern

What do you remember about Grange Supply?

What do you recall about Lawill’s drug store?

Local Politics

What important local political issues of Issaquah are memorable?  Do any particular politicians stand out?  Why are they memorable?  What did they accomplish while in office?

I worked for following Mayors:

Keith Hansen

Herb Herrington

A.J. Culver

Rowan Hinds

Ava Frisinger.

All five mayors very hard working / put lots of hours in each week.

Outdoor Recreation

Did you spend a lot of your free time outside?  What do you remember about fishing, hunting, or hiking in the area?  What was your favorite hiking trail?

Park Department partner shipped with state and county purchased 30,000 acres for Park Open Space—Tiger Mountain / Squak Mountain / Cougar Mountain.

What type of fish did you catch?   How many trout did you catch in the Issaquah Creek and what was the biggest?  Did you fish in the kids fishing derby held in Issaquah?  Were your methods for fishing and hunting any different than they are today?

Additional Memories

I was City Park Director from 1971 to 2000.

Accomplishments:

A.     Tibbett Valley Park

B.     Gilman Blvd. Landscaping

C.     Rainier Landscaping

D.     Tibbett Creek manor

E.      Issaquah Community Center

F.      Swimming Pool Revamping

G.     Open Space Acquisition

H.     Issaquah Creek Acquisition

I.        Comprehensive Recreation Programs.

Issaquah was a wonderful community to work in for 28 years:

A.     Wonderful history of park recreation activities prior to 1970

B.     Hard working mayors and council

C.     Great park boards

D.     Great staff

E.      Supportive residents

F.      Great collaboration with schools, state and King county.

 

AUTHOR of THIS MEMORY BOOK (signature and date)

Kerry Anderson, Issaquah Park and Recreation Director 1971 - 2000