On March 30, 1911, workmen were busy with the building of the new Farmers and Merchants Bank at the corner of Tower Avenue and Maple Street in Centralia.
“About a dozen men are now at work with several teams and more will be needed later,” The Centralia Weekly Chronicle wrote.
“’Deacon’ Glover does not anticipate an easy job with the excavation work and expects to have trouble with water from China Creek as soon as he gets down a few feet. He may employ an electric pump and will place in a concrete foundation. The work will be done in about six weeks after which the construction of the building will proceed.
“The new bank building will be a handsome structure costing between $25,000 and $27,000 and will be of imposing architectural design. It will be made of brick, with a wide Maple street frontage and a spacious main entrance on Tower avenue.
“The ground floor will be reserved for the occupancy of the bank and the second story will be rented out as offices.
“Completion of the Farmers & Merchants Bank will do much in improving the appearance of a central part of Centralia’s commercial section and covering one bald spot with an up-to-date building and when it is finished this summer it will enable the bank to move from its present cramped quarters into a permanent business home.”
Grand Ball Held on ‘Easter Monday’
120 years ago, in 1891
The Grand Ball was held on Easter Monday, March 30, 1891, at the Centralia Turn Verein (German ancestry club). Music was provided by Prof. Mills’ Orchestra beginning at 8:30 p.m. Admission was 75 cents, with ladies accompanied by gentlemen admitted for free.
New Chevrolet Agency Opened
75 years ago, in 1936
Warren Brothers Chevrolet held a grand opening for their new building at the corner of Main and Silver streets in Centralia. More than 1,000 people attended the grand opening and enjoyed the refreshments, music, sound pictures, as well as a style show by Boynton’s shop.
“Guests inspected fully the flower-decked showroom, spacious offices and spic and span back shop, with its well equipped machine shop and parts department, all looking like a battleship two minutes before inspection,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote.
G.W. Warren was president of the company.
Filtration Plant Is Nearing Completion
50 years ago, in 1961
The city of Chehalis’ new $500,000 water filtration plant on the hilltop near the 5-million-gallon reservoir near Dobson and McFadden parks was close to completion. The new plant will give the city a water supply near 9 million gallons of water.
Frydays Has ‘Great Legs’
25 years ago, in 1986
Frydays, a restaurant on Harrison Avenue, Centralia, advertised their special in The Daily Chronicle.
“We’ve Got Great Legs!” the advertisement began. “Stop in and try our very special steak and crableg combo and you’ll see why folks say we’ve got the best legs in town.”
Wilber Enjoys Cooking From Scratch
10 years ago, in 2001
Phyllis Wilber, 80-year-old Centralia woman, remembers when she made her first cake at 9 years of age. She said she learned to bake from scratch because there were no cake mixes available.
Painting Dedicated to Larsen Unveiled
Five years ago, in 2006
A painting dedicated to Charla Larsen, a former teacher at Cascade and R.E. Bennett elementary schools, was unveiled. Her friends, family and school district staff donated money to commission the painting in Larsen’s honor. Larsen died in October 2000 after battling breast cancer.
Toledo watercolorist J.C. LeCoursiere painted Larsen reading to children. The picture was hung in the hallway outside the Chester V. Rhodes Auditorium.
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From the Files of The Chronicle is compiled by Edna Fund, a Centralian who describes herself as a “history sleuth.” She can be contacted at Dutch@localaccess.com or at 269-7515.
