The post office for the soon-to-be-submerged community of Mayfield was moved to temporary housing a mile away on Winston Creek Road as the permanent post office was being dismantled to make way for Mayfield Lake. Mrs. Delmer Yost, postmaster, posed near the trailer for this photo published on April 7, 1962.
The former Mayfield Post Office building was being torn down 50 years ago this week as preparations were made to start filling the area with water from the new Lake Mayfield.
Mayfield Post Office To Close April 13
During this week in April 1962, the Post Office Department notified the Mayfield Post Office it would be discontinued on April 13, after a 71-year history of providing service.
The week before, the post office had moved to a small house trailer, a mile south of Mayfield near the junction of the old Winston Creek Road, since the new Mayfield Dam reservoir would be filling with water.
The post office served 200 people. In a Daily Chronicle news article the week before, the newspaper wrote, “The town may disappear under the new lake but Mayfield will keep its post office.”
McCracken Dies at Hotel
125 years ago, in 1887
Mr. W. McCracken died at 4 a.m. at the Chehalis Hotel.
“He had been sick about two weeks, the disease being inflammation of the bowels,” The Lewis County Bee reported. “He was well respected by the citizens of this vicinity. He leaves many friends who will miss Mack, as he was familiarly known. The burial will take place this morning at ten o’clock.”
Winlock Depot Building Progressing
100 years ago, in 1912
The opening of the new Winlock Depot was anticipated.
“The town of Winlock is rapidly rising from the ashes of the two disastrous fires suffered during the past year, and when the buildings now under course of erection are completed, Winlock will be one of the most up-to-date towns on the Coast,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote.
“The Northern Pacific is building a $10,000 bungalow depot to take the place of the one destroyed by fire. The depot will be ready for occupancy some time this week. On the block at the south end of the town, the scene of the last fire, four modern buildings are under course of construction. On the north end of the same block, J.V. Warne, Winlock’s pioneer druggist is erecting a two-story tile building 50x100 feet. Adjoining the Warne building, T.J. Elliott is building a one-story building, the same size as that of the druggist. South of the Elliot building Otto Wichert is building a three-story hotel and store building, also of tile construction.
“In addition to these the W.O.W. has completed the excavating preparatory to erecting a two-story lodge hall, which like the others, will be constructed of tile and thoroughly modern in every detail.
C.E. Leonard, the veteran real estate man of the town, has the material on hand for a one-story building. The new postoffice will occupy this structure.
York and Tye are preparing the erection of a two-story building 25 by 200 feet; Charles Blum has under construction a two-story brick 50 by 100 feet, and numerous new residences are also under course of construction.
The total value of all the new building being either planned or built is approximately $100,000.”
Maker of Killer Revolver Identified
75 years ago, in 1937
The Oregon State Police reported the revolver used in the recent slaying of Lewis County Deputy S.R. Jackson and the wounding of another officer was constructed by Michael O. Swenson, 37.
“The weapon was found in the automobile abandoned by the slayers in their flight after the shooting of Jackson,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle reported. “Swenson was stopped by Portland officers as he was boarding a steamer docked there, on which he is employed.
“Capt. of Detectives Joseph Keegan said Swenson told of giving the weapon to Walter Seelert, alias Pinky Mason, who is being hunted for questioning in connection with the slaying. ...
“Swenson said he wiped off the gun with an oiled rag before giving it to Seelert so that if ‘they got in any trouble’ his fingerprints would not be found. Pressed on this point, he explained he thought ‘they might try a robbery.’”
Plaque Honors Lee
25 years ago, in 1987
The Chehalis Rotarians honored Virgil R. Lee with a plaque which would be put on the Community Building at Recreation Park, renamed Virgil R. Lee Memorial Building.
Metal Detector Installed in Courthouse
10 years ago, in 2002
In effort to protect judges, a metal detector was installed at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center.
Western Washington Merchant Patrol was the contractor to provide the metal detector and security for Lewis County at a cost of $54,000 per year.
Morton Movies Return
Five years ago, in 2007
For the first time in 25 years, the Roxy Theater in Morton began showing movies again.
“I remember coming to movies here when I was in high school,” said Lynn Brown, a 51-year-old who grew up in East Lewis County. She and her husband Charles and 16-year-old son Derek came to Randle to be first in line for the movie.
The movie being shown was “Wild Hogs” with John Travolta and Tim Allen.
