The Making of a College Cow Town

By Mary Davis

   Before there was a town, the Kittitas Valley, where Ellensburg is located, was important to the the native tribes who gathered in the area to harvest camas roots and sweet onions, to graze and race their horses, settle disputes, forge family ties, feast, and play games.
   In July 1848, Father Pandosy established the first non-native home in the Ellensburg area. It was a small structure to house a mission called Immaculate Conception on Manastash Creek. He hoped to bring Christianity to the natives. He served there until September of 1849.
   The Kittitas Valley was the scene of many cattle drives that went through the area, either heading north into Canada or over the Cascade Mountains toward Seattle.
   William Wilson came in 1867 and built a cabin on a creek which would bear his name, Wilson Creek. Wilson passed away due a disagreement over another man’s horse.

   Andrew Jackson Splawn, cowboy and future state senator, and Ben Burch in 1870, who hired Martin Davern to haul Wilson’s cabin to what is now the middle of Ellensburg to be the first store in the Kittitas Valley. That seems like a difficult task. I don’t know why they didn’t simply built a new structure. The tiny business was christened “Robber’s Roost”. Hmm? Would I trust a business with “robber” in its name?

   In 1871 John and Mary Ellen Shoudy left Seattle for the Kittitas Valley. Shoudy and his brother-in-law Dexter Horton, a banker, were among a group of Seattleites who wished to establish a wagon route through the Cascade Mountains. After the streets were platted in 1875, Shoudy named this budding new town Ellensburgh after his wife, Mary Ellen. You might not have noticed the final “h” on the town’s name. Apparently, the United States Post Office deemed it unnecessary and dropped it in 1894.

   In 1878, this young town could boast its first permanent physician, Dr. Middleton Amen. The first saloon came on the scene at that time as well. Close on the heels of medicine and booze, during the winter of 1881-1882, the first session of public school was held with William O. Ames as teacher.

   Ellensburg was becoming quite civilized and soon became the hub of traffic west, north, east, and south. It had location in its favor. The town’s growth accelerated in 1883 with the First National Bank of Ellensburg, the Ellensburg Hook and Ladder Company No 1, and being named the county seat for the newly established Kittitas County. Northern Pacific Railroad completed a depot in 1886.

   A fire engine such as this was no match for the blaze that swept through Ellensburg in 1889. Like with many town and cities destroyed by fire, it was decided to have brick buildings replace the destroyed ones.

   Ellensburg had been in the running to the state’s capital, but in the November 4, 1890 election, Olympia was chosen. That same year, the first telephone service arrived.

   The following year, the Washington State Normal School opened in a temporary borrowed building and moved to their own building in 1894. The name was changed to Central Washington College of Education in 1937, Central Washington State College in 1961, and finally Central Washington University in 1977.

   You might be wondering why I chose to give the history of this modest town in the middle of Washington State. I attended college there and love the town. So I loosely based my town, Kamola, in The QUILTING CIRCLE series on Ellensburg and named it after the dorm, Kamola, I lived in. I have not used all of these elements in my fictional town, but they might show up in future books.

COMING SOON!!! Book 3 in the Quilting Circle series  THE DAMSEL’S INTENT releasing June 1, 2020  #TheDamselsIntent

Can Nicole learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

Nicole Waterby heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband, not realizing women don’t wear trousers or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn. Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she’s destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they’re not?

MARY DAVIS is a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over three dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her recent titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, The PRODIGAL DAUGHTERS Series, The Widow’s Plight, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, The Daughter's Predicament, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She’s an ACFW member and critique groups. Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-four years and two cats. She has three adult children and two adorable grandchildren. Find her online:

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Entrepreneurs Founded America!

By Tiffany Amber Stockton

Last month, I explored the origination of the cruise ship and how that transitioned into luxury cruising and then cruising for fun as many do today. If you missed that post, you can read it here: https://www.hhhistory.com/2019/12/cruise-ships-of-past.html.

Now, we're at the beginning of another new year, a year which has its fame in a well-known turn of phrase: Hindsight is always 2020. *grins* This can tie into a quote we often reference here on this blog, "Those who don't know the past are doomed to repeat it." I'm not certain "doomed" is always the case, especially when you focus on the positive side of things that happened in the past.

THE AGE OF THE ENTREPRENEUR 

There are many who say America is becoming more and more geared toward the individual entrepreneur and less on the corporate world or company-dictated economy. Economists have predicted by the year 2025, more than 50% of Americans will own a "side gig" or be an entrepreneur of some sort...even if it's only part-time.

I honestly wouldn't mind this at all! Small businesses almost always come with a personal touch that is often overlooked, neglected, or completely missing with larger companies and "big box" stores. Think about your small towns that pretty much run America. What makes them so appealing? Why are they so often the subject of novels and movies? What made small towns thrive and in some cases cause them to become bigger towns or central cities?

The answer? Entrepreneurs.

tall ships

Our nation was founded, quite literally, by entrepreneurs. In 1607 the Virginia Company sent three ships across the Atlantic and unloaded 109 passengers at what became Jamestown, Virginia. They had a goal in mind that didn't quite pan out to become successful. It was a joint-stock company, a relatively new invention that allowed people to invest in enterprises without running the risk of losing everything if the business did not succeed. By limiting liability, corporations greatly increased the number of people who could dare to become entrepreneurs by pooling their resources while avoiding the possibility of ruin.

blacksmith shop

Their attempt to establish American plantations introduced a rather new venture. Unfortunately, this venture also came with a rather steep learning curve, and the Virginia Company made almost every mistake that could be made as other industries developed and new ideas were introduced. Once John Rolfe introduced tobacco, it quickly became an export item and made Virginia rich. Other colonies followed suit, and that eventually led to cotton plantations as well.

cobbler shop

However, plantations required supplies, wagon repairs, horses, medical attention, clothing for the workers, personal grooming, dry goods, legal services, and so much more. They couldn't often get or have all of that on their plantation, so they had to go into town for it. That's where the entrepreneurs were in abundance. And that's where the long-standing tradition of trading goods and services was at its best!

apothecary

The smaller towns could be quite limited in the variety of their businesses. They would start with the basics of a blacksmith, apothecary, cobbler, mercantile, and a grain/feed shop. Some might also feature a candleshop, tailor, barber, doctor, lawyer, seamstress, library, and alehouse. The larger a town grew, the more diverse the businesses became. Whatever the need, there was a business that provided it. If the need existed and an existing business couldn't meet the need, someone would start a new one. If you couldn't afford to pay cash for goods or services, you offered your own goods or services in honest trade.

mercantile

I would love to see America return to this in a greater manner. So much in business has lost the personal touch, the relationships, and the community feel. Who knows? Maybe with this increase in "side gigs," we'll see a little bit of the small business mentality growing again. I know I wouldn't mind!

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* Have you ever owned a small business or undertaken a new venture? What was it?

* What would you do if you could do anything in the world and have a guarantee that it would be profitable for you? Travel? Bake? Invent? Write? You name it!

* If you were one of those 109 passengers who settled Jamestown, what business would you have opened?

* What did you like the most about today's post? What topics would you like to see covered in future posts?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below. Come back on the 9th of
February for my next appearance.

---

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help better their lives.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children and two dogs in Colorado. She has sold twenty (21) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

Wooden Bandstands of By Gone Years

Band house, 1870. Source: Library of Congress Prints and
Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

As someone who writes fiction about life in, or near, small towns, I am fascinated by things that had a social impact on the actual citizens who are the inspiration behind my stories. The founding families set up commerce, culture, education, and faith facilities that established a community for growth and prosperity. 

A bandstand was the public symbol of their cultural standing. Like a library, it showed appreciation for education and music. Most towns had a bandstand built to suit the pockets and needs of the citizens of that town, hence, the variety of architecture, size, and location is such that this topic will cover several posts. 

The basic architectural style of a bandstand is also called a gazebo, fashionable in today's modern world where it's  often found in backyards with screens to keep the insects out.

While researching images for this post, I found one called a Band House instead of the usual bandstand. The construction might be a combination of wood and iron, but it's the same basic shape of pavilion we're talking about. This image is from an 1870 souvenir booklet entitled, Views of Fair Mount Park, Philadelphia, Part 1st. 

In the early days of settlement, a bandstand provided a stage for Sunday afternoon performances, political rallies, and the welcoming of dignitaries. Often it was placed near the center of town amidst the action of daily life. In Killam, Alberta, the bandstand is shown right in the middle of the street. I wonder if this was temporary for some special occasion, however, considering all the cars in the street that day.

Main Street, Killam, Alberta, June 22, 1918. Source: Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

This 1907 postcard shows a bandstand and common, or park, in Kingfield, ME., with lots of room for concerts if you bring your own chairs. 

Bandstand & Common, Kingfield, ME, 1907. Source: Wikipedia Commons

It's funny that I found a photograph showing the same type of bandstand on a similar corner in Scotland, Ontario around the same time frame. I don't know how long the Kingfield bandstand lasted, but the Scotland one was a landmark at this intersection until it was removed in 1941. 

Corner of Simcoe St. & Talbot St. with Bandstand, Scotland, Ontario. Source: County of Brant Public Library

According to the next image, the square bandstand in Littlefork, Minnesota is set in line with commerce buildings streetside. It seems odd there, because the music wouldn't have the same sound as it would in a pavilion with clear views on each side. It makes me wonder what the story is here, such as when it was built and which structure came first. Truth be told, it reminds me of a fruit stand.

Bandstand. Littlefork, Minnesota, Sept 1937. Source: Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 

Apparently someone was on a mission to photograph all remaining bandstands because I found a stash of images dated 1937-39, including this next one. The advertising on the side of the trailer doesn't give a clue what the event is, but from the look of the men, coupled with the white loudspeaker on the right side of the bandstand, I wonder if it was a political rally. 

Bandstand, Craftsbury, Vermont, Sept 1937. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

The town bandstand was the natural place to gather for holiday celebrations where patriotic bunting could decorate the structure for added effect. Although I couldn't find a historic photograph of an American location (which wasn't copyrighted) to show a bunting-decorated bandstand for the Fourth of July, I did find one for Canada's Dominion Day which was taken in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on July 1st, 1906.

July 1st Celebration, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan , 1906. Source: Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

Olds, Alberta called itself progressive and set out to prove it. They built their bandstand in a small park between the train depot and track-facing businesses on the main street where visiting dignitaries could be greeted in style as soon as they stepped off the train. 

One of the busy spots in progressive Olds, c1916. Source: Prairie Postcards, Peel Library, University of Alberta

Parks were a great place to build a bandstand, especially for a concert, as you wouldn't have the hustle and noise of a busy street to impede you from hearing the music. This (hand-tinted?) stereograph shows 1865 fashion on the mall near the Music Pavilion in Central Park, New York City.

The Mall and the Music Pavilion, Central Park, New York City, New York. ca. 1865. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Here's another view of the wooden Music Pavilion in Central Park, also from 1865, but this one shows an afternoon concert in progress. 

Saturday Afternoon, Central Park, New York City, New York. ca. 1865. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

To end this first post in a series on bandstands, I wanted to show another of the images taken in that 1937-39 period. This wooden bandstand was found in Crystal City, Texas in 1939 and is in very bad shape. Although the image makes me sad, the wood doesn't look weathered and might have only been temporary. Still, it shows how a bandstand structure was built. It's basically a frame with slats to pretty it up. The ceiling is falling apart, but the shingled roof seems to be holding up. This basic wood bandstand may have been the only type that early settlers could afford to put up when they were first building their community. 

Old bandstand. Crystal City, Texas. Mar 1939. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Other communities had access to different materials and rich patrons which allowed for bigger, longer-lasting structures.

My next post, on June 5th, will show scenic, romantic bandstands with a water view. 

Your turn...did this post remind you of anything? Care to share?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

Small Town, USA (A Snapshot) & Book Giveaway!

This month I offer an essay as my historical post. It's a tribute to growing up in a small town within the shadow of Manhattan. Life was a world away from the Manhattan rush, but nevertheless, hard lessons  and the inescapable need for salvation due to the human condition permeates every inch of this globe, including, even, the smallest town. 

Note: Don't miss your chance to enter the book giveaway by leaving a comment after this post!

by Linore Rose Burkard

     Children miss a lot, but one thing did not escape me in my youth: My mother despised our town.
My large family lived in a big, white house on a noisy bus route road, adjacent to a fire engine station and a corner tavern. From the creaky third-floor fire escape overlooking our backyard, we could see the misty outline of Manhattan, cloud-encased and as far away, it seemed, as the Emerald City of Oz. It was my mother's dream, but not mine. To her, it held the tantalizing illusion of real life, as if little College Point where we lived was just a tawdry deception.

     And yet, we lived in New Yawk! Seven and a half short miles from the Empire State Building as the crow flies; a little outcropping on the other side of the East River, with not a single bridge connecting us to anywhere. The Long Island Sound lapped its shores around the bigger part of our town, adding to the relative seclusion despite the bustling metropolis within her sight. After a heavy rain, two of the three roads that led to the rest of the world flooded. Access was precarious, so New York City notwithstanding, College Point was small.
     (Newer roads have changed that, now. But back then we were a little world unto ourselves.)
The "College" was long gone; there were no theaters, no museums, no culture, according to my mother. Worse, old-timers had idiosyncratic speech; oil was "url," and "ain't" was commonplace.
     "Don't talk like that!" my mother would scold. "That's College Point talk." She was convinced her children would grow up to be backward ignoramuses.


     Meanwhile, I discovered that life was full and I forgot the town was small. I had scads of friends in school with whom I biked, swam, jumped rope, and played hand-ball. Playing tag, exploring the green oasis at the edge of town--our beloved Chisolm's Park--as well as biking and Little League Softball filled my days. Some weekends we boated on the Sound, and I dug for clams on sandbanks and got sun-burned. I loved school. I loved books. All of us at home owed fines for overdue library books constantly. (I vowed to read every book on the shelves of the children's section, and discovered the Little House books as a result. I also discovered some real sleepers and gave up that particular reading ambition.) I sketched and wrote stories. Who needed New York City?

The magnificent altar as it was. St. Fidelis Catholic Church
College Point, N.Y.

     Eventually I traded my youthful passions for an interest in boys, and got that first kiss, as well as heartache. At St. Fidelis's each Sunday I admired the alcoved Gothic ceiling and its beautiful painted frescoes of Italianesque saints and angels: culture in College Point! Though my attendance dropped off with adolescence, I loved every inch of that church, from the splendid, graceful arches to the outdoor grotto and Pieta, where the mournful expression on the Virgin's sculptured face troubled my soul.  
     I didn't understand, then, why the Mother of God was sad. 

   My own mother couldn't fathom that bigness could have nothing to do with size.
     Our town was big enough to grow up in. Big enough, too, to slap you in the face with sin. We surely needed something, but it wasn't the Emerald City.

     My mother and I both missed that what we needed was there. What we most needed--what we all most need--was there, all along, just as in the Virgin's eyes. An understanding. An understanding of sin, but even more of Christ, and the price he paid for our redemption.
     I have come to understand it is knowing this--the gospel--that makes life big. And that not knowing is what makes life anywhere the biggest small existence there can be.

copyright 2015 Linore Rose Burkard

Did you grow up in a small town? And did you find it big enough to grow up in? I'll read each comment and one will win a free kindle copy of my latest release PULSE.  (Drawing ends on 2/27/16).  
  
           

  Linore Rose Burkard is best known for historical romance novels with Harvest House Publishers, and now writes YA/Suspense as L.R.Burkard. Linore teaches workshops for writers with Greater Harvest Workshops in Ohio, is a mother of five, and still homeschools her youngest daughter—preferably with coffee in one hand and an iPad in the other. Keep up with Linore by subscribing at either of her websites.