On Aug. 15, 1957, the $1 million dollar Goodyear tread rubber production plant officially opened with thousands of Twin Cities and Lewis County residents attending.
Chehalis businessmen acted as tour guides and ushers, under the leadership of Leonard Sonnemann.
A Goodyear welcome dinner was held at the St. Helens Hotel with arrangements made by Gail Shaw and Ray Melhart.
The plant would be capable of producing 30,000 pounds of tread rubber daily.
"The industrial commission and the businessmen who fostered it have fought an uphill fight to make the industrial park a reality. Many of the obstacles seemed insurmountable at first; perseverance and a willingness to work overcame them," wrote The Chronicle.
"This, the formal opening day of the Goodyear plant here, really is a hats off day to the industrial commission for creating something which cannot help but be of considerable interest to other industries as well as to the local community."
Runaway at Grand Mound
120 years ago, in 1887
When a driver hauling hay stopped at John James' house for a drink, a runaway occurred.
"The team took fright and run into and knocked down a 35-year-old apple tree which stopped the wagon," according to The Centralia News. The horses continued through the orchard.
The Centralia Chronicle Moves
100 years ago, in 1907
The Centralia Chronicle began moving from the Field & Lease block to 309 Tower Avenue, which had been W.R. Patton's tailoring business.
Pacific Printers' Supply Company of Seattle installed new presses and a folding machine. The old equipment was shipped to the supply company to sell to a smaller newspaper.
"We expect that the work of removal will be completed within three or four days, when the Chronicle will be in shape to handle any printing business which may come to us," reported The Chronicle.
Husband-Calling Winner Announced
75 years ago, in 1932
The husband-calling contest was won by Mrs. F. J. Frazier of Littell at the annual Farmers' and Merchants Picnic at Alexander Park.
Other contests were blind-fold boxing by the state training school boys, water drinking, and fat women's race. The merchants' team won at plow polo, and the farmers' team won the tug-of-war. Over 2,000 people enjoyed the events.
Fagerness Is Living Logo
25 years ago, in 1982
Cindy Fagerness was chosen as the 1982 Little Miss Friendly of the Southwest Washington Fair. She succeeded Gail Coddington. (Cindy became Miss Lewis County several years later.)
The chief judge was Lewis County Commissioner Bob Venemon.
The finalists included a set of twins, Casey and Cricket Cantonwine of Chehalis, who were considered one entry.
Chehalis Women Rescue Teen From Burning Car
10 years ago, in 1997
Sharon Furier and Sandy Albertson were driving to work when they saw Ryan Harris' car on fire in the ditch. They discovered he was inside and pulled him from the burning car.
"Those two women are heroes," said State Trooper Ted DeHart.
"It was God's grace that put us there," Albertson said.
Rosbach Honored
Five years ago, in 2002
Veteran Karl R. Rosbach of Centralia received notification from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States he had been selected as All American Commander.
He was one of 87 VFW post commanders to be honored, out of 9,500 posts throughout the world.
"Military service is a Rosbach family tradition. Rosbach and five of his six brothers all served in combat - four in World War II, and Karl Rosbach and another brother in Korea. One of Rosbach's two sisters was also in the service, though he said she never went overseas," wrote The Chronicle.
Full Circle
for Little Miss Friendly
One year ago, in 2006
Ten years after Shawn Peters went into labor in one of the livestock barns prior to the birth of her daughter Bailey, that daughter was crowned as the 2006 Little Miss Friendly at the Southwest Washington Fair.
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.
