PRESERVING THE STORIES OF ISSAQUAH
A Memory Book Project of the
Issaquah Historical Society
David Wagonner
I attended the old Issaquah High School up on the Hill where the Julius Boehm Pool is now located. I remember fondly arriving at school as the sun was just coming up- and you could see the tag or mist covering the town. Rush hour in those days lasted about ½ hour!! We would all go in to study hall (before school) and sit around and talk! We all had lockers in that old building- and if you wanted to know what it looked like – look at your diplomas- the picture of the school is in the background. I remember Mr. Schmelzer; Mr. Treat; Mr. Nowadnick, and especially Mr. Fallstrom our principal! Great memories!
No memories of her!
I vaguely remember the 1949 earthquake. However I was in college during the 1965 earthquake. I remember running outside my dorm – watch the telephone poles sway back-n-forth. I remember how very quiet it was after the quake- then hearing all the sirens for hours. I couldn’t talk to my family right away- but later I found out everyone was okay! The college sustained some damage- but not as much as I thought there would be.
I played on the football team and ran on the track team. I remember Friday nights- we would dress for the game- then run down 1st Ave from the school to Memorial Field where we would play. The lights would almost light up the whole town. It was the big event every Friday night- some folks in Issaquah would literally live from Friday to Friday- just for Football games. The field is still there- right behind the new police station. When I look at that field memories flood back through my mind.
A fun thing I’ll always remember is I played donkey basketball my senior year. It was a fund raising event- it was funny to watch! We didn’t hurt the donkeys but often our own pride got bruised a little!
We would always go to a little café right behind the log cabin tavern. I can’t remember the name of it- but they had great hamburgers and malts. Also went to the Triple X sometimes. It was fun- no freeways to worry about in those days- just crossing up and down Front Street.
When we did get into trouble, it wasn’t like today- it was more staying out too long or being with the wrong crowd. There were fights after school but I tried to stay away from that stuff.
Punishment was being grounded or having my car taken away for a week. It was devastating- and my attitude would change for the better.
I remember the Honeysuckle- and eating lunch there lots of times! It was a “hang-out” for the kids of the day! My fondest two memories were at the old Grange Building. Wherever my grandfather (with my Dad and Uncles) would butcher- after the beef was cut up and wrapped, we would go to the “big” walk-in freezer at the Grange. We would store the beef in old wooden lockers! Man it was cold in there. Grandpa would also buy feed while we were there. I can still smell that smell of grain and hay today!
The other memory I have that is the fondest is- Danielson’s Jewelers on Front Street. I bought my first engagement ring there. I was in college so it took me a long time to pick it out- and even longer to pay for it! In those days there was a lot more trust to but it on lay away then today. That shop- that purchase- is a precious memory.
Not much socializing- just got a haircut. The two barbershops I went to- one was on Front Street next to the Wold Building. The other was on Sunset (at the corner of Front and Sunset) next to the laundromat. I can’t remember the name of the one on Front Street- but the one on Sunset was Paul’s Barbershop. I went there for years!
I remember shopping there many times with my Grandfather. Whatever Grandpa needed- somewhere, somehow Mr. Lewis would find it!
As a little boy- a hardware store is fascinating- filled with so many “cubby-holes” and things to look at! And when you walked in the doorway- an enchanting “smell” of manly tools, nails, saws, etc. When Grandpa would announce to Grandma- “I’m going to town, to the hardware store”, several of the grandkids would begin to clamor - “Let me go too Grandpa- Let me go too!” Grandpa would usually, however reluctantly, give in- and that ole black 47 Chevy would haul us all to Issaquah, and Lewis Hardware!
I remember Tony & Johnny’s market. We didn’t shop there very often! Most of the time we drove to the highlands and shopped there- Safeway or Tradewell. When the Hi-Lo came to town on Highway 10, my mom shopped there most of the time!
Yes I remember the Grange and going there with my Grandparents! I wrote about the frozen food locker earlier under local businesses. It was always fun going to the Grange! The unique smells- going next door to get feed for Grandpa’s cows! Especially the days we would stop in at the locker in the Grange! Even if it was a warm day outside, you would bring a coat to go into that freezer! Just a few minutes in there and you were cold!!
I remember Grandma shopping the Grange store. Especially for things like flour and sugar. Grandma used to buy a 50 lb. bag of flour for baking. She always baked her own bread and rolls. Same with sugar- 50 lb. bag. In their kitchen she had a flour bin- I will always remember the baking smells in her kitchen.
Yes I went to XXX for lots of hamburgers- especially in High School. We could stay in the car. Papa burgers were my favorite. And of course a large frosty of root beer.
Fasano’s was another favorite place! The family would go there on occasion.
If I remember right Rena’s Cafe was on Sunset Ave near the Log Cabin Tavern- if that was the one, we always went there in High School after games. That was a favorite hang out!
Yes- especially as a little boy! Always liked the smells of the candies being made. Highway 10 wasn’t as busy in those days as I-90 is today- but people from Seattle would drive out on Saturday s just to buy candy. I remember meeting Mr. Boehm once as a young boy. That was a long time ago!
Always have loved their caramels!
Really didn’t frequent any of these!
Please see the first question on local businesses that is where I wrote memories of the Grange!
No real memories.
Too early for my time!
Too early for my generation!
Does not apply to me!
I remember “Labor Day Parade” and going into town to watch it! Many friends would be in the Parade- floats/bands/ kids- it was fun! Every year it was the same kind of fun! Lots of years a carnival would set up on the grassy area now known as memorial field. The lights would come on at night, and it would be a fun place to go with friends. All summer long we would look forward to the Labor Day festivities. It also meant that school would start right after the weekend- so it was the “last fling” of summer for us kids! Lots of good memories.
1961- because it was my senior year in High School. The weather was great! The parade was fun- and the celebration was full of electric excitement. I remember standing in front of the Old Ford Garage to watch the parade (where the Texaco is now). After the parade, then we just went to hang out around town! The town was smaller in those says seemed like we knew almost everyone! The floats in the parade were all local- and most were hand made. If I close my eyes now, I can see it! Sure wish I could go back in time and visit it again!
Obviously Salmon Days is much bigger than the Labor Day Celebration. The two main drawing attractions for the Labor Day celebrations were the parade and then the carnival/circus on Memorial Field. Now its much more- much bigger- lots more attractions. Is it better? That belongs to the eye of the beholder. I’m still partial to the older Labor Day Celebrations.
“Labor Day Parade” was the common saying- Are you going to “Parade”? That was common in the 50s and 60s. Mostly local residents- not near the draw of Salmon Days from outside the community!
Rodeo was before my time! Only heard stories!
“Outside” was mostly doing chores at the farm! Cutting wood on the hillside- mending fences- spreading manure on fields. Not a lot of time to hike!
Summer times- swimming in Issaquah Creek at the ole swimming “hole”. Even occasionally going to the Horrocks pond for a swim.
When you grow up on a family farm- going outside usually meant some kind of work.
Play- was centered around family activities- Picnics at Alexander’s Park or Lake Sammamish State Park.
I did fish in Issaquah Creek! Used “periwinkles” for bait! Sometimes fly-fishing. The biggest fish I ever caught was about six inches! It was a trout!
We fished as kids more for fun than to really catch fish. Most of the time we just threw them back in!
Our family did not go to Vasa Park much! I think maybe two times- but that was due to family reunions. Our family rented the whole park. I really didn’t see much difference at the park itself- compared to Lake Sammamish State Park. But the big draw was the Dance Hall. I didn’t go to dance there- but my Aunts and Uncles went there for dances. That seemed to be the big drawing point to Vasa Park.
I didn’t go Ice Skating on Horrock’s Pond, but Dave and Nancy used to let us kids (Waggoner family) swim in the pond in the summer. I remember it was a “cold pond” but fun and private. We often would hear stories that the pond was full of leaches (blood suckers), but I never found that to be true. Just childhood stories. I remember Dave and Nancy- they went to church with our family- at the “Roadside Chapel”. Dave used to help my Grandfather often in his farming.
It is a part of Issaquah! It has brought us tours- visitors from all over the world. It is a reflection of what and who we are as a community. Home- for fish- for pioneers, for children, for all of us! Just as the salmon return to raise their young- so do we! As they recover- so do we! As they grow and leave- so do we! As they return- so do we! It is a direct reflection of who we are – what we are! And people come here to watch it all! That hatchery is not just about fish- it's about us- it’s about a place we call home! A small valley- started long ago by Indians- settled by Pioneers- Grown by people who fall in love with the mountains nestled between a creek! It is a place I love- with every breath! It is my home- and so I too have returned to watch it grow- to see it spawn into new life- and go forth. What is that hatchery- it’s a mirror of who we are- what we are, its about fish! It’s about us as a community! How has it affected Issaquah- it has been there, like a rock. We have fought as a community to keep it! We have repaired it, rebuilt it, nurtured it! And every year now we celebrate what it means! A place to come home to! A place we call home! It is our reflection- fish, people, weather, mountains, and most of all home!
Yes- my Grandfather had a dairy farm out the Hobart Road- on the Cedar Grove Road. 40 acres! Plenty of daily chores for the Grand kids! He worked hard- milked cows twice a day! Rain, shine, good days or bad- the farm went on! I helped with milking, feeding, “haying”, cleaning, cutting wood, gathering eggs, and playing as a family! Summer, winter, fall, spring- the farm went on!! That farm made me rich- In Spirit!!
No- but I knew many of the Pickering Children and Grand Children!
No- but I have visited it many times! As a small boy- as a teenager, and as a grown-up! It has been here a long time! My family has known people who work there for their whole adult lives. I remember getting home delivery (in Seattle) of Alpine Dairy milk- brought by a milkman! Put into an “Ice Box”- and the Ice man delivered the ice every other day!
Two different ways! When I was little- Mom and Dad and I lived in Seattle on Beacon Hill! We would go to Grandpa and Grandma’s farm on weekends. We would use Empire Way to go to Renton. Then use the “old” Maple Valley Highway to go to Cedar Grove Road (it was gravel in those days) then take the Cedar Grove Road to their house! Since the 60's we now use I-90 monthly to get to Seattle! But I remember vividly using Highway 10 across the floating bridge (with toll booths) and home to Issaquah.
It changed the sleepy little community forever! When I was young- people would come to the “country” from Seattle for the weekend. They would go to weekend homes up by Pine Lake or Beaver Lake or along Lake Sammamish. In those days (gas being about 50¢ to $1.00 a gallon) commuting to Seattle was not seen as a good thing! I-90 damaged all of that- it made Issaquah a “bedroom community” for Seattle and Bellevue workers. I now use I-90 to commute to work in the summers.
Yes- I paid $99.00 for a 1950 Ford four door sedan. Dad and I bought it from Dale Larsen at the Ford Garage used car lot! And before we could get it home- the engine “blew” up! We knew that when we bought it! Dad and I towed it home on Highway 10- across the old floating bridge! He helped me rebuild the engine- actually he did all the work- I mostly watched and helped when I could. I also bought a 1965 Ford Mustang from the Ford Garage in 1965. I was one of the first to have (check original)
I now belong to the Veterans of Foreign Wars! But I remember watching them march in the Labor Day Parade! Flags flying- old men- young men! Who served their country! Walking proudly, walking humbly! It made me feel like I should serve too! And I did! Now I’m home- walking in those same parades. Walking proudly- walking humbly! Its good to be home- I’m thankful for those parades!
I remember the American Legion marching in the 1961 Labor Day Parade- waving to the crowd- flags flying high. I remember everyone standing up as they marched by!
I remember going there a few times with my Dad- but I don’t remember when it was built. But for years now I can remember hearing “gun-fire” coming from that part of town about every afternoon.
My last contact with the Sportsman's Club was just two years ago- attending an Issaquah Police Citizens Academy!
Yes- and weddings too! Well receptions anyway! My Aunt and Uncle were married in the Issaquah Christian Church and had their reception in the Grange Hall. Wonderful memory now!
Lots of Saturday night movies! Grandpa or Dad would drive us in and drop us off! Movies were 25¢ for matinees and 50¢ for full length features at night. Yes, I remember taking a date there- I remember fondly holding hands and “putting my arm around” her! Kids were noisy, popcorn was made in a “Popcorn Machine”, and we all had fun! It was the place to “hang out” for those Junior High School years.
AUTHOR of THIS MEMORY BOOK (signature and date) David Waggoner