PRESERVING THE STORIES OF ISSAQUAH
A Memory Book Project of the
Issaquah Historical Society
Richard A. Carlson
1926
Lived in or around Issaquah 1948 to 1959 and again 1962-67. I was with the Issaquah Schools 1948-1982.
I came here to teach, as I wished to be in western Washington. (I grew up in SW Washington).
My only memories of IHS are the four years I taught eighth grade there – (1948-1952).
Yes, I’ll never forget the north wall of my room undulating in the quake. (In the old high school)
I patronized most of those which were there from the late 40s until the late 50s, when we moved to Renton.
Remembered: John Kramer’s Market (Sunset), Hepler’s Garage, Issaquah Press (Front St.), Fischer’s Market (Front), Thomas Furniture (Front), Tony & Johnnie’s (Front), Busy Bee Restaurant (Front), Honeysuckle (Front), Dick and Alex's Automotive (Sunset), 10¢ Store (Front), Moser’s Grocery (Front), Lawill Drugs (Front), Mike Shain’s restaurant (Front), Nick’s Café (Sunset), Feed Store (corner), Grange Supply (Front).
Business I remember most is Tom Drylie’s Honeysuckle. I used to chat with him. He told me much about Issaquah history. He also cashed small checks for me.
Paul’s Barber Shop. Paul frequently reminded me that I should be properly baptized. I had a few haircuts at Dave Lewis’ Barber Shop. (Paul Benson) Paul had cut hair for three generations of some Issaquah families.
It had a reputation for having almost anything needed in the way of hardware.
Mostly, over my 11 years living in Issaquah I (we) shopped at the Grange Supply. There were two long-time female clerks I remember: Rose and Mrs. Bergsma. (I think.)
I bought my groceries there most of the time between 1954 and 1959, when I lived on Mine Hill.
When I first roomed in the old Gibson house, I usually ate my dinners at the XXX. That’s where I first met Ted Stonebridge. I only stayed in the Gibson house for a month, then moved to Kebiertz Cabins west of the fish hatchery.
I walked to school my first year, so I usually stopped at the Busy Bee for breakfast. In later years I stopped at Mike Shain’s place or the Fiesta Café often for coffee or snacks. Of course, in later years Fasano’s became very popular. (on Front Street)
As a teacher, I didn’t go into local bars within Issaquah. Several times I stopped at Goode’s Corner and the Airport Tavern. In the latter I several times met a local “regular” who would always tell me, “You teachers are all right.” (He was usually “in his cups” at the time.)
Only that I shopped for groceries there. I do remember that one evening Pick (Mr. Pickering) was robbed at gun point.
I remember Mr. Lawill, a rather quiet man, as I shopped there during the years I resided in and around Issaquah. Later, in the 50s, I believe, a competitor opened a shop south of Lawill’s shop on Front St.
I particularly remember the Labor Day celebrations of my early teaching years as I helped at the gate to the Carnival always held at the city field. I remember that the local taverns did a good business on labor Days.
Every Labor Day Celebration had a parade, a carnival and busy taverns.
Salmon Days developed pretty much after I retired in 1982, as I recall.
I remember that Les Lahrie and his orchestra played the local dance hall during the late 40s. He always kept time with his wooden leg I have been told.
There were a number of resorts along Lake Sammamish during my teaching years: Smith’s Sandy Beach, Parr’s Park, the park near Monohon (Alexander’s), and later, the state park.
When I was with the Issaquah schools only the Preston Mill and Red Hall’s mill were operative. I often drank coffee with Red Hall, because he was known to “make the rounds” each day for coffee.
I roomed and boarded 1952-53 with the Roy Pickerings on part of the farm, I believe.
I belonged to the Lions and the Jaycees for a few years, but I was not much interested in lodges.
In my early years in Issaquah the theater was owned and operated by an older couple. It seemed to be loaded with noisy kids on Friday nights so I never attended films there. Later on, the Pine Lake Presbyterian Church managed it for a number of years under Pastor Bob Gray.
I spent 34 years with the Issaquah schools – 14 as a teacher, 5 as a vice principal and 15 as a principal – all at the junior high level. My career was from 1948 to 1982. I have most happy memories of my Issaquah experiences. When I began teaching the 8th grade in the old high school in 1948 many of the town’s old timers were still living.
In 1948 the Issaquah School District had about 1100 children and about 40 teachers. I’m sure that it is much, much larger now.
Several of the teachers who were around during my early years are either living in the area. I know of Ed Maloof (Mercer Island), Frances Crelly (Seattle), Bill Klein (Issaquah), Ken Schmelzer (Issaquah) and Roy Peterson (Issaquah). At least that’s where they were when I last knew.
Although I doubt if I’d want to be starting a teaching career these days, my Issaquah years were good years and I was fortunate in being able to associate with many fine community adults and kids.
Over the years, Issaquah grew from a small town of 900 to a suburban area that was much more sophisticated. This was a good experience, as I grew up in a small town.
Knowing that, Ed K. Erickson, the superintendent who hired me, always claimed that he “put shoes on me and gave me a job.”
I did have several coincidences with my home town, Bucoda, WA, where I grew up. Tom Hall came from there in the late 1920s to that town where his sister Violet lived. I understand that they were both members of the Hall Family who still own the wrecking yard on the Hobart Road. As a growing kid, I was told about Tom’s widely known bootleg practices while in Issaquah. He himself, once told me how many times he got caught. Phoebe (Friend) Martinis told me of her childhood years in Issaquah, where her father -- Mr. Friend – was a mine foreman. She was apparently related to the Hays.