History
Around the Sound: New exhibit features Lakewood’s original shopping centers
By Nancy Covert
Lakewood Community Center (LCC) was designed and built for the people of the Lakes and Prairie districts of Pierce County by residents of the district. The success or failure depends upon the use by you and your family and not whether the builders make or lose money.
While every effort has been made to make the Lakewood Community Center a lovely place with the finest furnishings and equipment, there will be no premium prices for using the center.”
Around the Sound: Hope in a small package
By Nancy Covert
Portulaca—the first time I saw the rosy-hued Moss Rose (here are about 100 varieties, I’ve learned), was in mid-February of my 9th year when my third grade science teacher pinned up an illustrated poster colored with at least a dozen varieties of flowers, ranging from cosmos daisies to zinnias, from morning glories to nasturtiums.
Around the Sound: Women in aviation focus of historical society meeting
By Nancy Covert
“At a time when women were expected to stay at home and tend to domestic chores, the pioneers of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) or ‘Flygirls’ as they were called by the Media, served as inspiration.”
The March 19 program at St. Mary’s Church in Lakewood featured several women who recounted the WASP history, including Deb Jennings, WASP Historian; Alice Miller a Living Historian from Boeing’s Museum of Flight, and Capt. Melissa Bland, a C-17 pilot, assigned to McChord Field, along with CW4 Ann Sprute, USA, Retired, a former helicopter pilot.
U.P. Museum finds a home
By Howard Lee
Cindy Bonaro, President of the University Place Historical Society, announced today that after several months of collaborating efforts between the UP Historical Society and UP City Staff members, Gary Cooper, Public Works Director and Steve Victor, City Attorney, a lease agreement was reached which established the city’s first museum. The location will be in the Windmill Village near the UP City Hall in building D3.
Women in Aviation the focus of March meeting
Women in Aviation is the focus of Lakewood Historical Society’s March meeting. The Women’s History Month program, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at St. Mary’s Church, at 10630 Gravelly Lake Dr., S.W. in Lakewood, features the history of WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) with speaker Deb Jennings, WASP Historian; Alice Miller, WASP, a Living Historian from the Museum of Flight; and Capt. Melissa Bland from McChord Field at JBLM.
Museum program recalls Harold LeMay
Charlie Maxwell talks about Harold and Nancy Lemay. Photo by Chuck Mathias.
By Nancy Covert
LAKEWOOD, Wash. – Patrol cars, U.S. mail delivery vans, bright red fire engines…all familiar sights to Lakewood residents. Oh, and don’t forget the bulky Lakewood Refuse trucks.
Charlie Maxwell, long-time General Manager of the familiar Lakewood business, on Feb. 19, recapped the history of this essential business and his 40-year friendship with the late Pierce County entrepreneur Harold LeMay, the man whose name is associated with many enterprises, especially his fabulous car collection.
‘Harold Lemay’ the topic of historical society meeting
“Harold LeMay: The Man and His Business” is the subject of the Tuesday, February 19 meeting of the Lakewood Historical Society. All of us see the LeMay garbage and recycle trucks cruise our neighborhoods. Have you ever wondered who LeMay was and how the business got started? Come hear the whole story from Charlie Maxwell, former employee and friend of the LeMay Family. The meeting is free and open to the public at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, refreshments will be served.
Lakewood Historical to discuss Harold LeMay, the Man and His Business
LAKEWOOD – On Feb 19th at 7 pm, at St Mary’s Episcopal Church, at 10630 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, the Lakewood Historical Society will present the history of a local business that has been in the area for almost 70 years.
Harold LeMay, the man behind the Pierce County Refuse Company, started with only one garbage truck in 1942 and became the largest trash-removal company in Washington and the 10th largest in the country
Lakewood Historians Receive 2012 Heritage League Awards
By Phil Raschke
The Heritage League of Pierce County recently presented their Third Annual Recognition Awards at the Washington State History Museum. Karen Hass, President and Master of Ceremonies made the awards following recommendations from the League’s awards committee.
Valentine Tea at Fort Feb. 9
All are invited to a Valentine Tea with Abigail and Elizabeth Casey on February 9, 2013, 2-4 p.m. at Historic Fort Steilacoom, Quarters 2., 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. Lakewood, WA (on the grounds of Western State Hospital).
Reenactors will portray daughters of the fort commander Col. Casey and Mrs. Casey, and friends from Steilacoom, Fort Nisqually and the Territory. Tea and cakes will be served at 2 p.m. There will be a “Fancy Fair” silent auction and a hat and bonnet display. Call 253-582-5838 to reserve or send $15 by February 4.
Who is that Street, Steilacoom?
Who is that Street, Steilacoom?
by Steve Campion.
Have you ever looked at a street sign and wondered who owned the name first? Why did that person end up on the map? Who is that street? With the help of Joan Curtis of the Steilacoom Historical Society (see “sources” below), today’s WA-List looks at the signs in Washington’s oldest city and tries to answer some of those questions.
Around the Sound: The Magic Lantern
By Nancy Covert
The recent program at Historic Ft. Steilacoom was truly “magic”.
Presented by Larry Cedarbloom and Ron Easterday, the knowledgeable duo demonstrated the history of and fascination with devices known as “Magic Lanterns,” an invention that traces its roots back to the 1600s when the idea of placing images on glass and projecting them began.
Authors Seek Photographs for Second Lakewood History Book
By Walker Neary
There’s going to be a second Lakewood history book. And the authors are eagerly looking for photographs that represent the people who made and make Lakewood, Washington, a great place to live and work.
Steve Dunkelberger and Walter Neary, authors of the 2005 book “Images of America: Lakewood,” are now working with the same publisher on a new book. Arcadia Press, responsible for hundreds of those sepia-colored Images of America books, has a new series that focuses on people, and so the book will be called “Legendary Locals of Lakewood.”
U.P. Historical Society ramps up for membership
By Ed Andeson
The University Place Historical Society, is a small group of dedicated people who wish to save the history of our city and area. The society has recently:
- secure funding to replace the Curran Orchard house’s flat roof
- rebuild the Curran Orchard house’s large deck
- placed the Curran Orchard house on both the National and State Historic Register
- developed a web site www.UPHistoricalSociety.org
- established a Society membership with business cards and University Place Historical Society hats.
Christmas at Ft. Steilacoom
Celebrate Christmas at Ft. Steilacoom on Saturday, December 8, 2012 (4-7:30 p.m.) at Historic Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. S. W., Lakewood, Washington (on the grounds of Western State Hospital). Cost is $5 for adult, $3 for child and $10 for family. Events include a candle light reenactment.
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