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Highline Historical Society NewsVolume 81

IN THIS ISSUE

The Mission of the Highline Historical Society

is to collect, preserve, and tell the stories of the Highline region and its

people.

2015-16 TrusteesTerry Anderson

Michael EmersonRobert Frey

Lloyd HermanLynda Isernio

Gary LongKitty MilneJeff Taylor

Cyndi Upthegrove

From the President Page 2 Annual Fund donors Page 6 Upcoming Programs and Events Page 3 New Donations Page 7 Percy Blaker’s Memories Page 4 What is it? Page 8

Museum Building Committee

Gary Long, ChairDavid Clark, AIAHal Duncanson

Michael EmersonKent MathesonPat Patterson

Cyndi Upthegrove

Advisory Board Members

Scott AndrewsMauricio AyonRichard JordanJoe McDermott

Karen KeiserHoward Lovering

Fran ReidSili Savusa

January 2017

Exhibit Preview Museum staff, consultants and volunteers are preparing exhibits for the museum. The drawing below shows a short segment of a 65-foot timeline of the history of the Highline School District. Divided into decades, it will tell the story of the development of the district, and feature artifacts from the Society’s extensive collections and archives.

Interspersed along the timeline will be lockers, each with a screen hosting a short film or slide show of photos from the era pictured. Each locker will also hold letter jackets, sweaters, t-shirts, caps and other memorabilia from schools of each decade. Familiar textbooks will fill the lockers and their open doors will hold collages of student photos of each decade.

The wall behind the timeline will hold more than 100 items, such as early teaching aids, pull-down maps and trophies. It will also cover current school specialties such as robotics and space age curriculum. A number of large photos along the wall will remind visitors of their early school days.

Information about, prin-cipals and superintendents will be available from iPads and screens along the time-line. We are inviting mem-bers of various school classes to visit our archives and help select the photos to be used in the initial exhibit. We own enough materials to revisit this exhibit many times over the years. If you would like to help select photos from the collections to use, please con-tact Curator Nancy Salguero McKay at: [email protected].

Highline Historical Society www.highlinehistory.org

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Highline Historical Society News

is published by the Highline Historical Society

P.O. Box 317Seahurst, WA 98062

Comments or information for publication may be sent

to Editor, at the Society address, or email at

[email protected]

Note: The Highline Historical Society respects

our donors’ and friends’ confidentiality. We do not make our mailing lists available to other

organizations.

The Society is a proud member of Discover Burien,

the Assn. of King County Historical Societies,

the South King County Cultural Coalition,

Washington Museums Assn. and the

American Association of State and Local History.

We are also funded by grants from Humani-

ties WA and the cities of SeaTac and Burien.

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This past week, as I sailed through my 75th birthday, I reflected upon how lucky I am to be vertical and in relatively good health. In fact, I wondered if people who know me might consider me a “treasure” (as in valuable), or a mere “relic” (as in antique). Unbeknown to me, my wife invited friends to send birthday greetings in the form of an irreverent card or other reminiscence of which I would prefer not to be reminded. Let me just say that the Hallmark votes are now in and

“relic” appears to have won by a landslide.

But it’s not all bad. At 75, you can become a curmudgeon with few consequences. In short, you can dictate what your family does on your birthday, which is precisely what happened. What I chose was to squire the family to the museum formerly known as “Experience Music Project “ (EMP), now known as “Museum of Popular Cul-ture” (MOPOP). The difference seems to be that there is a second museum inside MOPOP dedicated to the history and highlights of the Seattle Seahawks. This, I presume, is because Paul Allen is not only the founder of EMP, he is also the owner of the Seahawks. I can also report that MOPOP has expanded beyond the original EMP scope by adding an interesting fashion exhibit called “Wearable Art” and a large interactive exhibit of digital games, which is incomprehensible to many my age, but appeals hugely to youngsters. So, that’s my most recent museum experience; and it leaves me a bit envious as to what Highline Heritage Museum could be, if only Paul Allen lived in Highline.

This leads me to something more focused on our own museum. As you recall, we are placing a time capsule inside the museum, to be opened fifty years from now. We asked for suggestions as to items to be stored in the capsule. However, we now realize that the museum itself is a time capsule, with our best items meant to be on display rather than hidden. What we have decided instead is to invite each of you to submit a page about your life to future citizens of Highline, to be opened in 2067. For example: How about a page telling how you spent your day? Can you describe how your family celebrates holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas? Or what you wear when you dress up? Or where you go on an evening out? Or what your family does on vacation? What kind of pets do you have? What do you do for fun? What is your favorite class or hobby? We are looking for a slice of your life.

Instructions:

1. Typed, with full name, city or school and date at the top.2. Single sheets (max. 2) It is OK to include one or two good quality photos or .jpgs.3. PDF file if this is an electronic version4. Printed on acid free paper (just white – no colored paper as it is more acidic)5. No paper clips, rubber bands, plastic bags, plastic folders – use acid free folders or

just white paper or white tissue paper. Do not fold.6. Email to [email protected] or mail to Highline Historical Society, PO

Box 317, Seahurst, WA 98062, by February 15, 2017.

For teachers, please submit a separate sheet with your current contact information so we can invite you and your students to a ceremony when the time capsule is sealed. We on the Board and staff of HHS wish each of you a happy and successful 2017!

Mike Emerson


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We are recognized by this top charity rating organzation.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS

archives about this iconic transportation. PNRA is located in the former R & D Plumbing building at 425 SW 153rd Street, Burien, WA 98166. While there also see the excellent Boe-ing Employees’ Model Railroad Club trains layout. Admission and parking are free.

Remembering the Trolley, Febr. 4th

Please patronize ournewsletter sponsor

SeaTac ExhibitGirl Scouts!

Exhibit at SeaTac Community Center. Girl Scouts: Four Generations - Opening in February, this exhibition il-lustrates four generations of Girl Scouts in SeaTac and Highline. Girl Scouts began in 1912 and have spent more than 100 years embracing their belief in the power of every girl.

Remembering the Trolley, Sat. Febr. 4th, 2 - 4 PM. Whether you remember the trolley as the ‘Toonerville Trolley’ or simply the Seahurst trolley, this is the time and place to learn about Burien’s early service from downtown Seattle. Our friends at the Pacific North-ern Railroad Archive are hosting a Highline Historical Society program and are sharing their

Cornell Clayton“Crazy Politics: Populism, Conspiracy Theories and

Paranoia in America”

Prepare for the Online Auction

Crazy Politics: Populism, Conspiracy Theories, and Paranoia in Amer-ica by Cornell Clayton, Sunday, March 26, 5 – 7:30 PM. Back by Popular Demand! Has it always been this bad? Discover the history of conspiratorial thinking in American politics. This public discussion about the things that are on many of our minds is a presentation of of Humanities WA and their popular Speakers Series. Professor Cornell Clayton is Director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University. This early evening event will be hosted by Burien Actor’s Theatre (437 SW 144th Street, Burien, WA 98166), beginning with a reception at 5 PM and the professor’s presentation at 5:30 PM. Admission and parking are free.

April 1 - April 21, 2017. SAVE THE DATE! Our online auction is an activity that supports our museum building campaign. We hope you will think of us when you find something that could appropriately be sold online - and we hope that you will bid and help us fund our musuem.

The Story of Riverton Hospital

Exhibit at SeaTac City Hall - The Story of Riverton Hospital. Opening in late January, this exhibit will include former and current employees discussing the growth of what was once the only hospital in Highline.


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It would appear that someone has told the editor that I am a pioneer, seeing that he asked me to write some kind of history of the settlement and early days of this district. But I cannot quite qualify as such, that is as a member of the Pioneers Association, for I have been told that to be a member of that body one must have been in the state before 1890, while I arrived in April of 1890. Missed it by only 4 months.

However, as I have been asked on several occasions togive talks on the settlement of what is now known as the High-line District it was necessary for me to dig up the information that I did not already know. This digging I have done mostly by consulting my very good friends and older pioneers. Among them are Eben Kelly, son of the founder of Sunnydale and until the Bow Lake Airport forced him out, a resident of the district. Also, Harry Wood, who with his parents homesteaded the prop-erty on which both the Sunnydale Grade School and Highline High School stand, and until his death just recently lived onMaple Wild Way near Three Tree Point, and Walter Bissell,now a resident of Burien. The Bissell homestead lay along what is now First Avenue extending from SW 152nd Street to Five Corners. To these I have been and am grateful for the informa-tion furnished.

As the history of our country has been that of peopleseeking land upon which to build homes and raise their families, so is the history of this district. This holds true, with the excep-tion of a small store here and there, and these were established by residents until perhaps 1910, or there abouts. But, to start at the beginning, we will have to drop down into the Duwamish Valley

.

Around the late 1860’s and early ‘70’s the only means of transportation between the thriving village – or could it then be called a city – of Seattle and the settlers, farmers along the Duwamish valley up as far as Kent was a very small steamboat.If we will but look at the present river and its curves and bends from where the present Duwamish Waterway ends up to Kent, we will wonder how in the world anything that operated by steam could make it, although in those days the river had con-siderably more water in it than at present. This was because Lake Washington’s outlet was through the Black River, which cut around from near Renton and emptied into the Duwamish at what is now known as Renton Junction near the race track; and also the White River flowed north as often as south and emptied

into the Green and Duwamish where it now goes into thePuyallup. Over this many fights, and many real gun battles they were, and dynamiting parties were held. This may be hard for many people of today to visualize, but until the White River was permanently turned south and the Lake Washington Canal was completed which lowered the lake about 6 feet and turned all runoff water through the canal, instead of through Black River and into the Duwamish, the whole valley clear up to the White River would overflow perhaps several times during the winter. I have seen it many times when the water spread from bank to bank across the valley with only high points and buildings showing and people being taken out of second story windows by others in rowboats. Must have been a good pilot on board the little steamer at such times to keep in the stream.

No, the steamer wasn’t an oil burner, but for fuel used cord wood which it would pick up along the way, usu-ally cut by some of the settlers as a means of obtaining a little extra cash with which to buy Mother a poke bonnet, gingham dress or something.

Mike Kelly Arrives

It was into this picture that there dropped a youngIrish lad by the name of Michael Kelly - don’t ask me where he came from, how he got there or ever heard about the Du-wamish Valley because I was never told that - and he started working on a certain ranch part of the time and cutting wood for this boat part of the time and hunting what was left and from reports there was quite good hunting in those days.

Also there arrived at this ranch a young lady, nieceof the lady who owned the ranch, to visit her aunt and the visit was prolonged quite some time, in fact - yes, you guessed it, it was a case of love at first sight evidently on both sides for they were soon married. Mike, as he was known to all, soon came to the conclusion that as a family man he had to do something besides cut wood so he decided to look for a ranch for himself, but nothing left in the valley suited him.

One day he announced that he was going over the hill to see what was on the other side, and takin his trustyrifle, started up the hill due west, something that evidently no one up to that time had done. Only one who knows what our

Instead of an Oral History in this space, the Society is offering a reprint of an article from the February 8, 1946, Highline Times, by Percy H. Blaker. In this article he offers his interessting “word of mouth” reminescence of the founding of the Highline area. Mr. Blaker’s father, James, pictured at the end of this article, is thought to be the second individual to homestead in the Sunnydale area.

History of District


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western Washington country was like before man arrived and ruined it can visualize what a trip like that meant because it was real hard stuff to work one’s way through, even though beautiful and grand with all its majestic trees.

He tramped on up to the top and finally started goingdown, supposing that he was approaching Puget Sound for he knew that it was somewhere in that general direction, but instead of the Sound he came upon a valley and decided to explore it. He found it very heavily wooded, the soil, which was mostly pure rot-ted vegetation, deep. Two good streams of water flowed through the valley - one from the east and another from the north - besides various springs and a wonderful raised spot for buildings. He put down his gun and stuck up notice of intention to homestead the spot, which he did.

Arriving back home, he informed his wife that he haddiscovered the Garden of Eden; that is, that he intended to make it such. Events proved that the valley he discovered is just about as near that certain place as any in western Washington for it has always been recognized by agriculturalists as the richest ground in the County.

This valley is what is known as the Sunnydale Valley,starting on the south end at the Sunnydale School and running north and northeast, being skirted by the Des Moines brick road, the north being at about 148th Street - not very long, tis true, but just look at the amount of good things to eat that are grown in that small space.

Mike continued working in the valley, but managed toclear a trail up over the hill and spent what he could clearing up the new homestead, or enough to hold the place, and he finally

got up a log house. I believe it was the year 1869 when he discovered his Garden of Eden, and it was 3 years before he could move the family - yes, it was a family - into their new home.

Can you imagine what a celebration that must hav been? Just a little clearing with a little cabin, perhaps not more than two rooms at first - though when I first saw it they had a very fine house - and the giant fir and cedar trees all around fairly reaching up to heaven. (What wouldn’t many a man give for just such a place now?)

Word soon got around some way or other about Mike’s discovery and settlers came flocking, the second filing on the claim next to his place on the south. I believe that Harry Woods’ father was the third settler, filing on the property bounded now by 152nd St. on the north and the Three Tree Point road on the south, the present Des Moines brick road on the east and reaching back to include the site of the high school. In fact, hedonated the original two acres on which the present Sunny-dale grade school is situated. The first building was erected in 1889, I believe.

Building Roads

The U. S. government had put through what was,and still is, called the Military Road for purely military pur-poses, but the new settlers all along the road would use it as far as they could and then make a branch road or trail off to their property. This is the way the Sunnydale road was made, branching off the Military Road only a couple of blocks from where the Military Road dropped down the hill and followed the river into Seattle.

Mike made his road as all of them were made bytaking the easiest way, and if a tree wasn’t too big so the wagon wheels could go on each side of the roots, it was sawed down close to the ground; but if too big, they just went around it. So you can imagine that the roads were somewhat crooked, but they finally reached their destination.

The next settler took up where Mike ended and ranit to his place; and so it went on until it finally reached down to what is now known as Normandy Park, where people by the name of Gardner had settled. Another branch road left Mike’s road at about the present 146th St. and swung west to the Bissel place and on over to the east end of Lake Burien, named after the first settler there, though they spelled their name Burian.

It wasn’t long after Mike’s discovery, until that part of the present Highline district now bounded by 140th on the north, 1st Ave. on the west, south to about 170th and east to

The Blaker homestead was located at approximately 8th Avenue S. and S. 146th Street, across from what is now the telephone building. James Blaker gave willingly of both his time and his money, donat-ing the materials for both the First Methodist Church in Burien and in Sunnydale.


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continued from previous page

“No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden

of another. Thank you.”- Author Unknown

around where the present airport is was thickly populated; so much so that by 1890 the school had about 60 or 70 pupils, and believe it or not, one room and one teacher - but didn’t we have fun?

I have tried in vain to find something of the early -real early - history of Des Moines, but have never been able to contact anyone who knew by whom or where the first settlement was made there. I do know that in the early days there was a saw mill there, which was around ‘92 or ‘93. We from Sunnydale didn’t get down there very often as it was a whole day’s journey by the old horse and buggy method, dodging the stumps and up and down hill and with the road worse than a cow trail.

With the editor’s permission I will call it a day, hoping that this feeble effort may give some of our “newer citizens” a little insight into the settlement of Sunnydale community, which was the original of the present Highline district. ••

James Blaker raised vegetables and sold them to Seattle restaurants. Shown here in his delivery cart, Mr. Blaker played a very important role in the growth of the Sunnydale and Burien communities.

Annual Fund DonorsThis is a special thank you to our Annual Fund donors. These generous donors are providing the extra operating dollars we need this year to increase staff hours and open a museum on time. Its not too late! We welcome the fi-nancial assistance of anyone in the community - any time! And we will continue to recognize our donors.

THANK YOU!

Tricia AndersonJean BakkenJude Barrett

Chuck and Patti BurgessKen BoroughsSally Buswell

Tony CassarinoBob and Jackie Clark

Jean ClinganChuck and Becky Cox

Ruth EnticknapRobert Ewing of Des Moines

Robert Ewing of BurienMary Fairman

Charles and Georgia HarrisVaughn Holden and Jodie Bagley

Bob and Darlene KingElie Levy, M.D.

Patricia LofstedtGary Long and Rudy Saavedra

Sally MackeyJohn and Jan Mantle

Karen MeadorPhyllis MitchellNorma NewbyKimberly Opie

Norman OseKaren PaulerYvonne Pfau

John and Sharon PorterMark Ricci

William RudbergBarbara SandoKathi SkarboTracy Steen

John and Cyndi UpthegroveJohn and Susan Woolworth

HAPPY NEW YEAR


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Recent Donations and MemorialsThe following items were recently donated to the Society. Special thanks to these far-sighted individuals for helping HHS preserve authentic artifacts and archival materials of the recent and not-so-recent past, as well as for both restricted and unrestricted cash dona-tions. For more information about donating items to HHS, please send an email to [email protected], or call 206-246-6354. You are helping to tell our stories.

Did You Know? You Can Make an Impact!The IRA Charitable Rollover is now permanent!

If you own an IRA, you can make a tax-free transfer of up to $100,000 to a public charity like the Highline Historical Society, this year and into the future. Contact our office to learn the details of this type of charitable donation: 206-246-6354.

Treasure Your Past – Make a Bequest to Highline Historical Society By naming the Highline Historical Society in your will, retirement plan, or life insurance policy, you are investing in the preservation of our history. To find out more, please discuss philanthropy options with your financial planner.

A Painless Way You Can Help UsMany of you may not be aware that you can help the Soci-ety raise money by identifying us as the recipient of match-ing funds by local businesses. For example, Fred Meyer (and their other Kroger business, QFC) have rewards cards that many of you may use. By going to their website and checking Highline Historical Society on their list of participating charities, you will make it possible for us to receive dollars when you shop, without affecting the re-wards you receive.

To register the Society (Organization # 83185) for your re-wards card at Fred Meyer go to this website:http://www.fredmeyer.com/company_information/FM_Community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx

From Sue Woolworth, for the archives, a World War ll War Ration Book No. 3, World War II Savings Bonds 10 cent Stamp Album and a Box of World War ll ration tokens.

From Lloyd Herman, for the collections, sixty nine 45 RPM re-cords, thirty one record sleeves, and one Belshaw Donut Maker for cake type donuts.

From Don Schmitz, in memory of his late mother, Della Schmitz, 21 Riverton Heights School PTA booklets from 1957- 1982, Riverton Heights Faculty Lists 1958-1978, A booklet- Riverton Memories 1980-1981, 1 Highline Highlights, photo Riverton Heights last School Staff 1980-1981, Riverton Heights School class photo 5th grade1956-1957, Riverton Heights School class photo 1954-1955, Riverton Heights School class photo 1955-1956, Sunnydale El-ementary School photo A+B+C , 3 Highline patches.

From Sound Transit for the collections regarding the new Angle Lake Light Rail Station, two examples of the exterior of the garage bars. One silver and the other one blue. Both have the same dimen-sions. The station opened to the public on Sept. 24, 2016.

From Barbara McMichaels for the archives, Boarding Pass for the Angle Lake Station Dedication for the Sound Transit Light Rail, 9/24/2016.

From Guy and Pam Harper for the archives, Lake Burien School general information and photo (reproduction from LIFE magazine article), Memorial Arch/Park two photos (reproductions) and a brochures box.

From Don Williams for the collections, one navy blue Highline High School letterman sweater and a golden/orange Highline High school vest. Collection of photos - two photos are originals, 4 photos are reproductions and 7 are photo copies. From his days as President of the Highline High School Class of 1946.

From Linda Hollingsworth Crandall for the archives, a collection from Sylvester Jr. High consisting of Eight Cool Cat Newsletters, schedule of Piano and Vocal events and a student handbook.

Collected by Staff for the archives, The Seattle Times announcing Donald Trump as US President, November 9, 2016, Hillary Clin-ton Political Campaign button, The Official Hillary for America Woman’s Card.

From Donald Dorres for the collections, a Dalton adding machine,

Woodstock typewriter and a button celebrating the Burien Library, June 2009.

From Barbara Reamer representing and collecting items from the Highline High School Class of 1954, for the ar-chives; photos of Lake Burien Elementary School classes, Puget Sound Jr. High photos, pennant, school magazine and newspaper clippings, Highline High School Newspaper articles, football programs, pins & tassel, “Pirates” license plate holder.

From Dana Blount Turcott for the collections, Highline High School Cheerleader outfit which includes skirt, blouse, vest, 2 hats, and 3 pompoms.


TIME DATED MATERIALSChanges? Please make the corrections on your label. Circle the appropriate spot below, and return to the Society. Thank you. Name misspelled Contact person changed Address wrong Duplicate mailing

P. O. Box 317Seahurst, WA 98062

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSeahurst, WA 98062

Permit #93

Passing our building on SW 152nd Street, you will see this item from our collections in the window. Do you know what it is?

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