Ethel Store Burns in 1936
During this week in January 1936, Frank Bolstad’s store at Ethel burned to the ground from either defective wiring or a defective flue.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bolstad were in Chehalis at the time of the fire where they had gone to attend a show,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “Several hundred people gathered at the scene and attempted to fight the fire with buckets of water, but were unable to make any headway against the flames.
“No estimate of the loss could be obtained. It has not been decided whether or not another store will be erected on the site of the destroyed business.”
Do It Right!
120 years ago, in 1891
The Centralia Weekly News applauded the city council for stopping the sidewalk work.
“The City Council did a wise thing when they ordered the work of building the sidewalk on the west side of Tower avenue stopped,” the newspaper wrote. “It would not have given satisfaction to the public if the same had been built as it was started. The walk should be built higher than the old walk instead of lower. We are of the opinion that a new walk should be built so as to be convenient for the store buildings, and not make the public climb up two or three feet to get in them. It costs no more to do anything right than to do it wrong, and why not perform a credible piece of work in this case.”
Mossyrock Has Special Dog
100 years ago, in 1911
Daniel Shaner, Mossyrock, wrote the editor of the Chehalis Bee-Nugget about Mossyrock’s special dog owned by Samuel Collins.
“Mr. Collins told me today that since the unusual cold weather and snow of one foot depth, the dog has been busy night and day gathering in stock cattle, pigs and fowls. Recently late in the night, Mr. Collins heard the squalling of a chicken and jumped out of bed and dressed, took his shotgun to investigate, and was surprised to meet the dog coming in from the field gently carrying the chicken and dropping it at the door of the hen roost, while he pawed the door open and then to the astonishment of Mr. Collins left the chicken in the coop. This chicken had got snowbound and was unable to reach the roost, but was gathered in by the dog.”
McFadden Kitchen Completed
50 years ago, in 1961
The first outdoor kitchen at McFadden Park in Chehalis was completed. Funding came from the sale of timber cut in the park. The city hoped to have the park open in the summer. The hilltop park also had a new 1,056-foot rim road which would give “striking views of Mount Rainier, the Cascades, valleys, and the Olympics,” according to the Daily Chronicle.
Man Donates 1,000 Rhodies
25 years ago, in 1986
Noble Blake, Silver Creek, agreed to donate 1,000 rhododendron plants to the city of Centralia.
Blake said the plants needed to be transplanted by March.
“We want to get them planted in time for the tourists traveling to the World Exposition ’86 in Vancouver (British Columbia),” Blake added.
Quik Has First Internet
Café in Centralia
10 years ago, in 2001
Quik Internet, on Main Street in Centralia, offered the first internet café in the area.
“Move over, Seattle, Centralia Has Own Internet Café” was the headline in the Daily Chronicle. For $6, customers could purchase one hour to read their e-mail or surf the internet at the café’s public terminals.
Armstrong Reads at Edison
Five years ago, in 2006
Calvin Armstrong, Centralia High School graduate and rookie player with the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles, read books to Edison Elementary School students.
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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.
