Each year, before Memorial Day, my objective is to feature one local service member whose name is engraved on the Edmonds School District’s Veterans’ Memorial Monument, or one who is mentioned in my book Etched in Stone. This year, my choice is Joseph L. Hendricks, Jr., a former Meadowdale teenager. Known as Joe Hendricks, he was…
Looking Back
Looking Back: Daniel Hines – a solitary man of mystery
History remembers the celebrated – genealogy remembers them all Readers of my Looking Back columns may have noticed that I often go beyond history to include genealogy research in my stories. Genealogy became part of my private and public life years ago—long before computers were available for use by the general public; before the introduction…
Looking Back: The story of Edmonds developer Zophar Lanning Howell III
The people who came to Edmonds when it was still a developing small town, came from various places and backgrounds. Some had very little money and others were lucky to have a substantial bank roll. However, one thing they all seemed to have in common — hope for a good life in an evolving young…
Looking Back: 9/11—two decades ago
Twenty years ago, when American Airlines Flight No. 77 was hijacked by five terrorists and deliberately flown into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters in Washington, D.C., one of the victims was 52-year-old Sgt. Major Larry Strickland, U.S. Army, who was looking forward to enjoying the leisure of retirement in a few days….
Looking Back: Remembering midget race cars of the past at Aurora Speed Bowl
During the early 1930s, as our nation struggled to survive the Great Depression, a new sport burst upon the scene, and oval tracks for midget car racing began appearing throughout the country. During its early days, this unusual racing sport drew the interest and participation of backyard mechanics, and as one source said it was…
Looking Back: Taming a town while still having a good time in Edmonds
When the little village of Edmonds incorporated as a fourth-class town in August of 1890, even though there had been some hard times, the residents must have been filled with hope that the final decade of the 19th century would bring prosperity, growth and some needed culture to their community. Certainly, at 5 o’clock in…
Looking Back: The meaning of Memorial Day — and plans for a remembrance this year
Nothing appears to symbolize the true meaning of Memorial Day in our country more than the beautiful and poignant poem In Flanders Fields. This poem was written 106 years ago by Canadian poet and WWI battlefield surgeon Lt. Col. John McCrae, after he had seen a field of colorful red poppies blooming on what shortly…
Looking Back: More on a man named Fred Drew and some Lynnwood and Edmonds history
Part 2 of two parts. You can read Part 1 here. In 1910 – on the way to the waterfront mills in Edmonds Nothing depicts the early days of the town of Edmonds more than timber. It was what brought many New England and Eastern people here; and also, the farmers from the Midwest. On…
Looking Back: A man named Fred Drew and some Lynnwood and Edmonds history
Part 1 of two parts Before Lynnwood – a peaceful land of giant trees When the loggers and the homesteaders came to the area we know today as Lynnwood, except for the sound of the birds and the soft breeze as it rustled through the branches of the immense trees, there was silence. Located a…
Looking Back: Remembering March 29, 1973 – a day of return from Vietnam
The latest issue of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Magazine reminded me that on Monday, March 29, our country will pay honor to the veterans of the Vietnam War, and we are requested to display our country’s flag on this special day of remembrance. Over 50 years ago, many of our young people were…
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Looking Back: The history of a small baby spoon—a family treasure
Sometimes writing articles about history can be frustrating, controversial, and even boring. Right in the middle of putting together an article about a large lumber company, its long-time log agent, and the beginnings of Lynnwood and Edmonds, I experienced all three moods, so I decided to put this particular project aside for the time being,…
Looking Back: Shopping—the past and the present
Some changes in my own life inspired me to look at the history of shopping from a different perspective, and to realize that through the years, even though new technology has brought some cosmetic changes, the basics still pretty much remain the same—shopping from home is popular, convenient and sometimes a necessity. Until May of…
Looking Back: History of the waterways of South Snohomish County
Recently, a reader commenting on my April 9, 2019 article, “Looking Back: South Snohomish County place names from the past,” asked how Shell Creek got its name? In my reply to the reader’s question, I reached back to some of my own memories from well over 80 years ago, when I was a child of Edmonds…
Looking Back: A tragic accident on a summer night in 1953
Shown above are some of the volunteer firefighters from Station No. 1, Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 1, its home base located at Seattle Heights, three miles east of Edmonds. The men were standing beside one of the district’s fire trucks in front of Eisen’s Garage on the northeast corner of today’s 212th Street…
Looking Back: 1910 Snohomish County plat map inspires stories of local history
Discovering history sources Clues to historical stories can be found in records from many different, and even unusual sources. The idea for this column originated from a small portion of a 1910 Plat of Township 27 North, Range 4 East, Willamette Meridian, Snohomish County, Washington. The southwest Snohomish County landholders of 1910 shown on this…
Two years ago in Lynnwood: Cheesecake Factory opens at Alderwood
The Cheesecake Factory arrived in Snohomish County, with a soft opening Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 at Alderwood Mall. Guests at the soft opening included mall patrons as well as members of the community representing law enforcement, firefighters and military personnel, said Joseph Phillips, regional vice president. Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restaurant…
Looking Back: 102 years ago – 1918 and the Spanish Influenza Pandemic
In October of 1918, the world was still fighting WWI, and although the end of the hostilities was near, censorship of the news still remained. Therefore, it was left to the non-combatant country of Spain to report that civilians in many places were becoming ill and dying at an alarming rate. These circumstances gave rise…
Looking Back: Charles Robert (Bob) Lutton, Jr. — MIA, WWII
This year, Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25. However, because of the present health issues, there will be few, if any, gatherings of people for public ceremonies. Instead, I hope the day will be a quiet time, filled with personal reflections. In Edmonds, because it has been 75 years since the ending…
Looking Back: Katrina Bagley of Tulalip — a woman to remember
Much like the Biblical Job, during her lifetime, Katrina Bagley endured one loss after another. Through it all, she never faltered in her love of life, her church, nor her love for her family. While talking with three of her grandsons, I learned much about this indomitable lady and her enjoyment of life. With that…
Looking Back: The musical accomplishments of Edmonds School District grads Ken Cloud and Murray Sennett
Through the years, Edmonds High School became noted for its music department. Since the school’s early days, and especially under the direction of William Osburn in the 1930s, the high school started winning awards, beginning with an excellent rating in April 1933 at the Western Washington Music Meet held at the University of Washington. Only…
Looking Back: Gwendolyn Shakespeare — a teacher forever remembered
Over 86 years ago, when I entered first grade in the Edmonds School District, I certainly never had any idea that so many years later I would still remember many of my school teachers. A few are remembered in special ways. My first four years were spent at Alderwood Manor Grade School, and there I…
Looking Back: Greetings from Alaska — and a Chugiak bus story
For those who may wonder what happened to me, Anchorage, Alaska is now my home. I will continue to write from here about some of the history of Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. However, what follows this time is a wonderful story written by a newsman from Alaska. It is an unusual story and I…
Looking Back: South Snohomish County place names from the past
This artist’s drawing depicts the former Hughes Memorial Methodist-Episcopal Church of Edmonds. Opened in 1924, the Spanish-mission-style church replaced the small 1908 Swedish Methodist Church. Hughes Methodist Church become a familiar and beloved landmark in downtown Edmonds at the intersection of Fifth and Dayton Streets on the northwest corner of what was popularly known as…
Looking Back: Memories of another time and a special building
Personal memories As the years pass, it seems inevitable that Lynnwood’s old buildings will all disappear and only memories of another time will be left to us. Recently, when I walked by the red-brick building pictured here and saw that it was for sale, I could not help but wonder if this historic building would…