Gunnar T. Olson Interview - by Redmond Jr. High 8th grade class of 1960Gunnar T. Olson Interview - by Redmond Jr. High 8th grade class of 1960

Mr. Gunnar OLSON told us he came to Happy Valley in 1890 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eric OLSON, on New Year's Eve. There was no road, only a trail. Supplies and food were carried in by pack. He told how the first school on Union Hill was built by his father and other settlers. No one was paid for the work and the school was constructed of logs and had very small windows. A must in the school was a tin cup and pail to hold drinking water. Everyone drank from the same dipper, including the teacher. The school was open only a few months each year.

He continued..."Our first teacher was a Miss SMITH who was dearly loved by her pupils. She saw we had our mittens and overshoes on and cared for us like a mother. The Stryker Hill was named after her husband. Stryker had a freight line running across Union Hill. He found it convenient to stop to rest his horses by the school and visit Miss SMITH whom he later married."

Mr. Olson spoke about their homestead. The land had to be cleared and everyone, even the children, worked. The clearing was done by hand, dynamite, burning and lots of hard work. Some folks "surface cleared" theirs. Here the stumps were cleared from the surface to about six inches below the ground. It was a quick way, but not a good one.

"Play" -- he asked? "Not much, I guess. I went fishing -- a sort of play and get food at the same time. We made our own rods out of willows and used worms for bait. The fish would bite in those days at anything. We worked in the garden, took care of animals and helped clear land and get wood to bum. Guess it didn't hurt us much, I'm 75 now."

Mr. Olson told how he, his father and others carried 100 pound sacks of flour home on their backs, how the mail was brought out by anyone going in and how it was left in a big box or a stump. He said, "1 still have that box. Guess I'll always keep it."

The first track, called a tramway, into the valley about 1890 was of wooden rails. The train came to take out logs. He laughed and said, "when those rails were torn up folks rushed to get them. They were burned and some used for building a very necessary small outside house. There was absolutely no indoor plumbing in those days."

Taylor's lumber camp was in the middle of the valley. The bunk house where the men slept was of logs, the eating house part siding. There were good cooks in those days and the crew ate huge meals. There were about 30 men in the camp - mostly local men. They worked hard from daylight till six or so -- 1 O, 11 and more hours a day.

"1 remember how we all laughed one time. Mr. Taylor, the owner, came out to check on his logging interests. A grin was noticeable on most of the logger's faces when Mr. Taylor appeared dressed in what was then the latest and a high silk hat. The men in those days were tough and strong, but honest men too. Stealing? Not often. The men took care of that I recall something though. One morning six men came walking to our house. They wanted my dad to go with them to Fall City. They had to get 12 men and they would then have a jury. They were going to hang some man, they said. Don't remember why - but none of us joined them. I don't know if they hung the man either."

Mr. and Mrs. Olson told how gradually the first homes were replaced by newer and better houses. The old ones tom down or used as barns or to store machinery. They told how steel rails took the place of wooden and how the road was widened and improved. The children by this time were grown men and women. Many of the first settlers had passed on. The third and even fourth generation of the early settlers are living now, some still in or near the Valley.

Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Olson, who have spent 70 and 48 years respectively in the Valley, are storehouses of information. Stories from 1890 on, from a home in a cabin to their lovely modern home. The pioneer life to the space age -- rich and full of life.

Elsie Olson Interview - by 8th graders at Redmond Jr. High in 1960

Mrs. Elsie Olson and family now own one of the first homesteads in Happy Valley - the old Warren Perrigo farm. These folks first cleared the land until they had broad pastures.

The Eric Olsons' and Paul Carlsons' came to the Valley in the 1890's They became a large logging concern - logging in Happy Valley and by Pine Lake. The roads had to be built before work could begin. Logging was the main, and practically only way, of making a living. The loggers were trying to earn money to improve their homesteads.

Mrs. Olson told me how the oxen were shod. At that time many oxen were used. The person shoeing an oxen lay on his back under the animal and nailed on the shoes. The shoes were not shaped like horseshoes as oxen have a cloven hoof.

The old Perrigo farmhouse which lies in the valley below the Olson's large modern home is now being used for a cattle shelter.

Fires in those days were to be feared. There was no firefighting equipment. Men, women and children grabbed pails of water and helped fight the tire. The logging fires were backfired, and sometimes a backfire could become another raging inferno out of control. Homes were as often burned down as saved. A new home and usually a better one literally sprang up. Any number of men would gather to rebuild the home. Lumber, nails, and men appeared as if by magic. People helped one another. Here again I heard how supplies were left in an open house for some logging company or a family and nothing was ever stolen. The people were brave and honest and always willing to give a helping hand.

The Happy Valley schoolhouse was the first home of the Happy Valley Grange. Their first charter was way back in 1909. There were 53 members then -- all pioneers. These folks, descendents, are still with us -- Anderson, Cadson, Olson, Galley, Hutchinson, Iverson, Johnson, Magnusen, Norma, Cooper, Linder, Turple and Justice William H. White. 

Their Hall was built in 1910 and enlarged in 1922. it is presently used for voting, and a community center for dancing, dinner and meetings.

Founding of Redmond

Redmond is located at the north end of Lake Sammamish. It was founded by Luke McRedmond, who settled on the site in 1871. Originally Lake Sammamish was known as Squak Lake, hence the name Squak Slough for the stream which empties into Lake Washington from Lake Sammamish.

Needed Water System...

Pushing back his battered eyeshade, Judge Reil rolled a "chaw of tobaccy" reflectively when asked how he came to be the first mayor of Redmond on January 1, 1913. "This year before we had a big fire. To stop the fire we had to blow up a building. The main reason for incorporation was to get a water system."

Reil was postmaster then, appointed by Teddy Roosevelt. He was naturally selected to be the first mayor. He served three terms and retired, undefeated, when he began a trucking business to Seattle in 1919.

The board of County Commissioners granted the election. The vote was 99 to 9.

REDMOND - some of the names below need proof-reading

In the Spring of 1871 Warren Wentworth Perrigo and Luke McRedmond settled near the present site of Redmond on the rich bottom land to the east of the Sammamish River. Along with a third man, who did not remain very long, they were the first comers in this region. Luke McRedmond took up the land bordering on the river and Perrigo settled directly east of him. The two men cleared their land and began farming. In 1877 William P. Perrigo, a brother of W. W. Perrigo, came to the settlement and took up the claim east of the town upon which he now lives.

The Methodists today have a handsome brick church which was dedicated on March 4, 1928. The structure, completed at a cost of more than $18,000. was erected under direction of the following board of trustees: C. A. Shinstrom, R. C. Swan, J. H. Woodside, S. A. Moore, William Forrester, W.F. Quackenbush, C. R. Pope, and C. S. Gleason.

The Rev. B. F. Luce supplied the church until 1897 and the pulpit was filled occasionally by other ministers until 1907 when the Rev. G. W. Carr was appointed pastor. The Rev. Mr. Carr was succeeded by the following: H. J. Hartsell, 1908; F. A. Guiler, 1909; H. C. Carter, 1910; Thomas Houlstron, 1911; C. A. Owens, 1913; Thomas Houlston, 1914; Angus McLean, 19t 5; R. G. Pike, 1916; W. M. Hoace, 1917. For several years the Redmond pulpit was vacant and filled by ministers from Kirkland. In 1922 R. J. Allen took the Redmond pulpit, but the following year the Conference once more left it to be supplied. J. W. Walker took the pastorate in 1925, R. W. D. Brown and W. H. Baker in 1926, and E. L. Boothby in 1927. N.C. Pierce became pastor in 1928.

On February 11, 1896, Methodists at Redmond and vicinity organized the Methodist Episcopal Church of Redmond, Those who applied for articles of incorporation were as follows: Robert Roberts, of Maltby; G. J. Anderson; Cassius M. Whitehead; Minnie M. Morrison; Hattie H. Thayer; Bertha M. Stryker; Julian A. Luce; and B. F. Luce, all of Redmond.

The congregation had gradually dwindled until it was decided to discontinue the church in 1911; in that year the Redmond church was dropped from its membership by the Congregational Conference. The last clerk was W. Forrester.

About 1901 the Norwegian Lutheran Church was organized and services were held for many years in a building a mile east of Redmond. The Rev. M. A. Christensen was an early minister. Of recent years the Christian Scientists have organized a small church and now have a building of their own in which services are held at Third and Trimble streets.

The Rev. Mr. Greene was one of the first preachers to come to Redmond; he held services in the old schoolhouse. The Rev. John M. Lewis was the first regularly appointed minister. In the early '90s Perrigo and his wife gave the church a lot and a house of worship was built. For some years there was no regular pastor and sermons were preached occasionally by the Rev. A. Atwood of the Methodist Church. In 1901 the Rev. Andrew P. Boyd, a Congregationalist, served at both Kirkland and Redmond. His successor, the Rev. John M. Lewis, came to Redmond the next year. In 1904, the Rev. J. W. Holway, a Presbyterian, filled the pulpit, and during his pastorate a larger church was built. The Rev. John P. Herring came in 1907 and the following year was succeeded by the Rev. James Oakey, while during 1909 and 1910 the Rev. George A. Voris was pastor.

The Congregationalists were active during early days in Redmond, but are not represented there now. In the '80s and '90s they were the pioneer Protestant denomination in the region north of Lake Washington and in the lower Snoqualmie Valley, but today their churches remain only at Carnation and Kirkland, and at both of these places services are held jointly with the Methodists. The Rev. Samuel Greene of Seattle was an active worker in their field, organizing besides the church at Pleasant Bay in 1880, a station at Juanita and one at Sammamish. The latter was discontinued in 1885, however.

At Redmond, the First Congregational Church was organized on November 19, 1898, with the following members: John J. Tompkins, Robert A. and Clara V. Tosh, James and Lydia (Denyer) MORSE, Elijah Jones, Adam and Elisabeth Tosh, James and Archey Graham, and Caroline A. Tompkins.

William P. Perrigo, well known throughout the Northwest as one of the "Old Guard," (famous fighters for good roads in the days when the slogan was not so popular as it is today), was the first trader in this locality. He opened a headquarters in his farmhouse at Redmond and then established posts on farms between Redmond and Tolt and later between Tolt and Novelty on the Snoqualmie. Connection between posts was by trail. Perrigo's first trail was made from Redmond to Tolt, and he soon followed this with others. Sometimes merchandise was left for settlers by prearrangement at a point along the trail. Perrigo declared that his goods were always safe from theft by either Indians or whites, and that the only lot of merchandise he ever lost was one that contained some sweets; this he believed a bear had probably clawed down from a bank on which he had left it. Goods were carried to the various trading posts by Indian ponies and at one time as many as nine animals were employed in the traffic. Settlers from distant points came to the posts along the Snoqualmie and Sammamish rivers in canoes. Perrigo had the trade of neighboring Indians, members of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Snohomish, and Sammamish tribes. After the coal mines were opened at Gilman, he established additional trading posts at Cottage Lake and Paradise Lake.

The village which finally became Redmond was first known as Salmonberg on account of the large number of dog salmon which were found in the streams. It was given it's present name of Redmond in honor of Luke M. McRedmond.

The town site was platted on May 11, 1891, by McRedmond and his wife, Kate. An addition was laid out on February 18, 1897, by William E. Sikes and his wife, Jessie A. The Sikeses platted two more additions on November 1, 1906 and on October 17, 1913, following year Mr. Flint was replaced by William Forrester who still lives in Redmond.

A two-story, four-room building was constructed in 1908. Forrester served as principal during this and the following year, with Miss Trernain, Miss Stark, and Maude McEIroy on the staff. In 1910 Forrester and Miss Tremain remained, and Miss Hartman and Miss Falconer were added. Miss Packer succeeded Miss Hartman in 1911.

In 1912 George Whitefield took charge of the school and to him and his able corps of assistants, credit is due for the present fine high school. Miss Falconer, Miss Newberg and Miss Egvet were the first teachers to work under Mr. Whitfield. In 1912 the high school was organized and by the spring of 1915 the town had a four year accredited secondary school. From 1913 to 1916, Whitfield's staff included Harry Ayers, Marion Goodnow, Miss Falconer, Annabelle Elliott, Florence Fleming, Mabel Amidon and Mr. Meade.

Basketball was first played in 1913. The team was made up of Albert Robstad, Ernest Johnson, Tom Perrigo, Ben Stensland and John Otterson with C.A. Shinstrom as coach.

Mr. Meade became superintendent in 1916 and was succeeded the next year by P. J. Orr. Shortly afterward the present consolidated district was formed, embracing Inglewood, Avondale, Willows, part of the Highland district, and Redmond. J. M. Kirschner succeeded Orr about this time until 1925, when Milton Prichard, a veteran educator in the Northwest, became superintendent. Pitchard died suddenly in April 1929, as this work was going to press.

The first division of the present handsome brick schoolhouse was erected in 1922; the last six rooms were added in 1925. The grounds are worth $10,000, while the building and equipment are valued at about $100,000. There are 459 children in attendance, with six high school and nine grade school teachers.

The list of directors who served during the development of the Redmond school district includes the following: Joseph Keller, who served approximately fifteen years; John Perry, Adam Tosh, John Tosh, Joe Tosh, John McRedmond, Mr. Anrod, W. P. Perrigo, W. J. Trimble, Emerson Miller, Phil Morrison, John Martin, Ernest Adams, Charles W. Brown, Walter Moore, H. T. Gill, Perry Vincent, Judge William H. White, C. G. Price, Anna Smith, M. E. Major, C.A. Shinstrom, Mr. Davis, Dr. Woodside, Mr. Hollenbeck, Mr. Moffatt, Mr. Otem, Mr. Quackenbush, and Ernest Johnson.

On the board for 1928-29 are W. S. Quackenbush, chairman, E. B. Johnson, Clerk and Charles F. Brown.

Several lodges and clubs provide Redmond women diversion and a means for community betterment. The Nokomis Club, organized on June 3, 1909, for social purposes, soon undertook philanthropic work and finally gave the town a small library which is a credit to the women whose work made it possible.

Charter members of the organization were as follows: Mrs. C. W. Huffman, Mrs. H.R. Huffman, Mrs. W. B. Williams, Mrs. William Forrester, Mrs. Ernest Adams and Miss Mabel Adams. Mrs. C. W. Huffman was the first President, or "Commander-in-chief," as the office was then called. Mrs. C. W. and Mrs. H. R. Huffman, and Mrs. Adams are now dead. Mrs. W. B. Williams lives at Coming, California, while Mrs. William Forrester, and Miss Mabel Adams, now Mrs. John, both live in Redmond.

The club early devoted itself to helpful tasks, installing a drinking fountain at the old school building, and aiding in the equipment of a gymnasium. The club also furnished the hospital room of the new school building.

Several of the club members in 1926 conceived the idea of founding a public library. The work was started with funds raised by the women at the Consolidated Grange Fair in 1926 and 1927. An appeal for books was issued through the columns of the weekly newspaper at Kirkland and more than 400 books were received. Club members contributed both time and money to the work of furnishing the library which was opened in the Reed building, next to the post office, on October 29, 1927. Postmaster H. S. Reed contributed the first month's rent. The library subsequently received aid from the town and is now self-supporting. The room is open two afternoons and two evenings a week and is in charge of a paid librarian. The collection was catalogued from the start and now includes about 1,1O0 volumes. Three magazines are kept on file.

Evergreen Camp No. 9457, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized at Redmond in November 1923, with the following officers: Mrs. Irene Brown, Oracles; Mrs. Luella Rossford, Vice-Oracle; Mrs. Grace Carpenter, First Recorder, and Mrs. Ethel Heiser, Marshal.

The Redmond Ladies' Aid was organized in 1918.

Redmond has an Odd Fellows Ledge No. 325, instituted on May 28, 1923, with the following members: George B. Martin, P. G.; Bert Lyford, P. G.; Raye E. Sharp, P. G.; J. J. LePine, Lenus Nelson, John Lindgren; Bert Lyford, N. G.; Ray E. Sharp, V. G.; and George B. Martin, Secretary. There is also a Commercial Club. Since 1924 the Redmond Sportsmen's Association has been an active organization. On December 29th, of that year the club was formed and the following officers elected: Robert Hemphill, president; Frank Seidel, vice president; and George Julian, Secretary and Treasurer.

Happy Valley Grange No. 322 was organized at Redmond on September 9, 1909, with George M. D. Graves as first master, and Miss Lilia Bossard, Secretary. John Bossard was elected lecturer. All three were residents of Redmond.

Other charter members were as follows: Olaf Rosford, Conrad Olsen, G. H., Georgia, Amelia and Lillian TURPLE; W. D. Archie, and Evora Norman; Paul and Ned Carlson; Judge William H. White, Sadie Cooper; Laura Miller; Marie and Elsie Carlson; Walter Cooper; Edwin, Albert, Arthur and William Johnson; Albert Olson; Evend, Gunna and J. H. Stenslund; C. M. and Mrs. Galley; Louis Helligar; Mrs. W. D. Norman and Mrs. J. Bossard.

Early meetings were held in the schoolhouse, but members soon felt the need for larger quarters, and on January 5, 1910, an entertainment was held to raise funds for a Grange Hall. Henry B. Iverson, Louis Norman, and Lila Bossard served as the committee in charge. The new hall was dedicated on June 25, 1910.

Since its organization the Happy Valley Grange has been a vital factor in the economic, social, educational and political life of the farmers of Redmond and vicinity. During the European war, the Grange contributed to the American Red Cross and other welfare organizations.

On July 17, 1918, a group of Grange members formed the Grangers' Warehouse of Redmond, issuing capital stock to the amount of $4,000. The founders of this store, which is conducted on the same plan as that at Kent, described at length elsewhere in this history, were as follows: W. J. Trimble, W. E. Moon, John Bossard, Charles E. Linger, Hugh A. McEvers, A. B. Diller, and M. L. Fletcher. The Happy Valley Grange is now one of the largest in the state.

The Northern Pacific Railroad operates a single-track freight line through the town, over which four trains run daily, two each way, carrying out shingles and farm products, especially lettuce and bulbs, and bringing in feed, hay and other commodities. Most of the dairy produce leaves Redmond by truck. The town is reached by several good highways that connect with all parts of the state. The county road runs to Woodinville, eight miles, and to Bothell, about 10 miles, and other northern points. A new highway was completed recently covering the four miles between Redmond and Kirkland, cutting off a mile and a half from the distance over the old road to the south of it. This thoroughfare was opened with ceremonies on November 12, 1927. It is said to be the only county road in the state with "super-elevated" curves; these give it the same traction as a straightaway. Rapid automobile transportation between Kirkland and Redmond was established on November 7, 1911, with the incorporation of the Redmond-Kirkland Auto Stage Company, under direction of A. N. Brown, William Brown and Charles Brown. The concern had capital stock in the sum of $3,000. A new automobile road to Fall City and other points along the Snoqualmie River, with North Bend as a terminal, is now under construction. When completed, this road will cut off about a mile; it was begun in the summer of 1928.

Good forests stood on the site of Redmond and extended thence to the shore of Lake Washington. The building of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway through the Squak Valley opened up this area to the loggers and from that day to this, there has been lumbering of one sort or another, but even before the construction of the railroad, Willard Houghton began logging in the early '80s and William Cochran, also, was an early logger. John Peterson built the first sawmill about 1890 and a certain Donnelly operated a mill first on the west shore of Lake Sammamish and later on the site of Monohon.

On December 17, 1892, the Lake Sammamish Lumber and Shingle Company was incorporated by Frank G. Winquish, A. C. Hilan, Sam J. Yates, and Dennis H. Stake, with a capitalization of $6,000. and operated for several years. James Campbell and L. B. Stedman, under the name of the Campbell Lumber Company, opened a logging camp and mill in April of 1905 and did business on a large scale, starting with a capital of $50,000 and increasing it to $100,000 in 1907. In 1909 the Redmond Lumber Company was formed by E. S. Barnes, Walter Gammon, and J. T. Peterson. The company was capitalized at $25,000 and for some years ran a mill of 50,000 feet daily capacity. The Ohio Mill, with 25,000 feet capacity per day ran at the same time. On January 31, 1918 the Redmond Logging Company, incorporated by Jesse, William and L. D. Brown, started with $30,000 capital and operated for several years. These concerns as well as others have all come and gone, but the Lake Sammamish Shingle Company, founded at Monohon in 1901 by J. F. Weber, Henry F. McClure, and R. M. Castle, still does a good business, employing from thirty to forty men. The Slier logging camp and mill, established east of Redmond in 1924, is the largest plant in the region, but does not operate steadily. When the mill is running, about 200 men are employed.

The lumber mills and camps have receded from Redmond as the timber has disappeared, but they will contribute to the town's prosperity by serving as a market for local products. The rich Squak Valley and parts of the logged-over areas are now devoted to general or truck farming, dairying, berry growing, poultry and rabbit raising, and other kinds of husbandry. Alder, maple and other deciduous trees have produced leaf mold which makes some of the soil very rich. One of the finest dairy regions in the world is adjacent to Redmond on the north; some of the milk is shipped to the condensary at Issaquah; some is still sold to the Borden plant at Auburn, and much of it goes by truck to the fresh milk market in Seattle. The Leschi Dairy, Inc. ships five truck loads daily to Seattle, and Griffith's Dairy, Inc. also does a good business. Lettuce and other vegetables, as well as bulbs are grown and an increasingly large area is being given over to the culture of berries, especially strawberries. Poultry is steadily growing in importance and there are about thirty-five good sized chicken ranches in the vicinity.

Many of the farms in the vicinity of Redmond were redeemed from swamp-land when Sammamish or Squak Slough was straightened some years since. Thousands of acres were improved when twelve miles of meandering slough were cut down to about six and one-half miles, the length of Drainage District No. 3, established by court order in 1912. The District extended from Lake Sammamish on the south in a northwesterly direction to about a mile north of the Hollywood Farm, and the property assessed totaled about 4,000 acres The cost of the engineering and construction work was covered by ten-year bonds floated by the district in the sum of $60,000, bearing 6 percent interest. The work of dredging the slough from the northerly point of the Drainage District down toward Lake Washington was done at county expense. This was the only dredging necessary, as the rest of the way the river banks and the falls were fair. Herbert S. Upper, J. W. Clise, and Fred Stimpson served as commissioners.

This work affected territory for a considerable distance beyond the district proper and virtually made a vast garden of the region from the northeastern end of Lake Washington down to the north end of Lake Sammamish.

This district is only one of thirteen drainage districts that have been successfully operated throughout King County. A large area of land was similarly reclaimed along Mercer Slough, on the east shore of Lake Washington, at a cost of $40,000, while the farming region between Issaquah and the south end of Lake Sammamish was improved by the creation of Drainage District No. 4.

Modern banking facilities are provided for Redmond merchants and farmers by the First National Bank, capitalized at $25,000. On December 31, 1928, the bank had deposits aggregating $479,640.84 and resources totaling $ 521,810.04. This institution was established on July 28, 1911, as the Redmond State Bank, with capital of $10,000 by F. W. Roberts, F. M. Roberts, James P. Weeter, and C. A. Shinstrom. On January 16, 1922, the capital stock was increased to $25,000 and on February 23rd of the same year the bank was nationalized.

In 1911 a group organized the Kirkland Redmond Railway Light and Power Company to build a railroad between the two towns and furnish light and power to the region. The Company was incorporated on December 9, of that year by the following: C. A. Eaton, Boone F. Gordon, William Perrigo, Samuel G. Helper, and W. D. Gillis. The capitalization was $200,000. On account of lack of support the Company went out of business shortly afterward.

During the last few years the location of the King County Commissioners yards for the northern district has been at Redmond. This is meant a small payroll for the town as well as greater economy for the county in comparison with the former location in Seattle, which necessitated a trip across the take for trucks engaged in road work.

The Union Oil Company has had a distributing plant in Redmond since 1918.

Country Store 1910

Howell's store, Redmond Trading Co., was the first brick building in Redmond. It was built in 1910 and is near the railroad tracks. The fittings and counters were purchased from a previous owner of a store there. Behind the counters were open bins filled with dried prunes, beans, sugar, dried apples, etc. Three huge canisters held tapioca and coffee beans. There were whole spices -- cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. No soft drinks, but hard candies were sold. Jelly beans, rock candy, and mixed candy of all shapes were great favorites with one and all.

In front of the store which had an overhang roof were 6 hitching posts. One post is still there. Storekeepers had an easier time long ago as articles did not "go out of date" so fast. The same type of hardware was used for years and years, the same type of paints, the same foods.

In those long ago days Mr. Howell, the owner, sold lanterns, pitcher-pumps, milk cans, pitch forks, and cotton hose to the ladies. There also were the crocks - they had many uses. The ladies packed butter in them to put away for the time when the cows were not milking. They were filled with brine, a salt and water mixture -- and eggs were stored in them for winter use. Meat and fish were pickled in crocks. Nowadays, few of our youngsters know what a crock is, and few of the above items are found in stores.

The Brown building, built in 1913, was the town's largest brick structure. Brown's garage, occupying a brick building erected in 1920, and Buckley's garage were convenient stopping places for motorists.

McRedmond started the first hotel. A later one was established by W. E. Sikes who later sold out to Emerson G. Miller. In 1901, H. S. Reed bought the business from Miller. Today the town the Grand Central Hotel, and for some years Mrs. White, the widow of the late Justice William H. White of the State Supreme Court, has kept a rooming house in the old family home. Judge White, after his retirement from the bench, became one of Redmond's leading citizens, engaging in the dairy business.

An inspection of the town's accounts on September 4, 1928, by the State examiner brought commendation to Mrs. A. B. Reed, town clerk, and C.A. Shinstrom, treasurer. "Both serve for patriotic love," wrote D. L. Wallace, representing the State Division of Municipal Corporation, "for neither receives more than his actual expenses in cash for services." The current expense account of the town is on a cash basis.

W. P. Perrigo opened the first permanent store in Redmond in the early '9Os. Mat Munson, W. A. Faulds, and F. A. Riel had general merchandise stores in the early years of the present century. L.A. Lamere and W. H. Wickenkamp had the first drug stores. Mr. Wickenkamp following with the larger of the two.

Like many other King County municipalities, Redmond some years ago began the operation of its own water works. The town has controlled its water supply from the start. In 1913, following incorporation, the town took steps to replace the old time wells with a modern system. In 1914 the taxpayers bonded themselves for $13,000; this was augmented by a $27,000 bond issue in 1927; all of this has been put into the water system, which is now valued at $51,890.58 and includes 2OO acres of !and. Several springs about four miles northeast of town are the source of supply and an abundance of water is assured by two reservoirs, one of 210,000 gallons and another of 250,000 gallon capacity. There are 165 taps and the annual income totals more than $41,000.

During the year of 1928, with the total appropriation of $4,729.90 available for the annual budget, the accounts for that year embraced total receipts amounting to $9,300.42 and payment of $11,612.47. The town has adequate fire and police protection. As yet, Redmond has no public sewer system; septic tanks are maintained by the individual property owners. (This is changing at the present time - 1959-60) A bond issue of $4,543.38 was voted by taxpayers in 1927 for general local improvements exclusive of the water system. 

Church History - by 8th graders at Redmond Jr. High in 1960

Church History - Quackenbush

Today, (Sunday, February 17, 1946) we are here (church) to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Incorporation of the Methodist Church in Redmond. However, we are told that previous to that time, early in the History of Redmond, services were conducted by a Reverend Samuel Green of the Congregational Church, Kirkland, in a little log school house which stood somewhere near what is now the Henry Weiss home.

Later, a site just across the highway from the log school, was donated for a church by Warren Perrigo. "It was a small but an artistic church for that day," said Marion Perrigo Ulmer, "and it was painted?' After several years that church was destroyed by fire.

In about the year 1888, another Perrigo, Marvin, while on a trip around the world, wrote to his mother and asked her to select a site somewhere on his property for another church. The site was the one on which this present church now stands.

The church building, usually referred to as "Perrigo's Church" was fairly large, well built, and though not painted, did boast a bell. It was utilized for a few years, then dismantled, and the site reverted to the donor per provision of a gift.

Services in that church were under Congregational supervision. A Reverend Bicknell, from Ireland, conducted preaching services every two weeks. Sunday School was held every Sunday.

In the old diary of Robert Cotterill, an uncle of Mr. Bob Cotterill, we find entries showing a list of officers of the Sunday School elected in May, 1889, and the names of those who usually attended.

The officers were: Superintendent, R. Cotterill; Assistant Supt., H. Beadle; Secretary, Sarah Tosh; Treasurer, Joseph Tosh; and librarian, Rev. Bicknell.

The attendance varied from ten to thirty. We find the following names on the roll: Robert, Alice and Roland Cotterill; J. H. Beadle; Maggie and Hattie Martin; a Mr. Peterson; Magie, Agnes, Joseph, Sarah, Julia, and Edith Tosh; James and Mrs. Grisdale; Minnie Morrison, Samuel, Arthur and John Perry; William and Charles Brown; Andy Vaughn; Warren Perrigo; C. W. Whitehead; Lizzie and Ella Jose; Lillie Jose; Mrs. Dollhoff; and Peter Thysen.

To attend Sunday School, it was necessary for the Tosh and Cotterill families to travel by row boat down the Sammamish Slough.

About eight years later, a new church was built on the corner which now houses the Richfield Service Station. That church was under Methodist supervision. Records list the officials of that year as follows: Trustees - Robert Roberts, Cassius Whitehead; G. J. Anderson, James Stryker and P. Thayer. Stewards: Mattie W. Thayer, Minnie Morrison, Cassius M. Whitehead.

The date of incorporation is February 11, 1896. The pastor was Julian M. Luce.

It is regrettable that no records can be found which would tell of the early days of the church on the corner. It seems that while the Sunday School functioned regularly, preaching services were held intermittently by pastors of other churches. There was a Thomas Houlstron, a lay preacher from Ballard; William Bowman and finally Dr. J. W, Walker, a greatly beloved and godly man. While serving the Redmond church, Dr. Walker suffered a nervous breakdown and in a very short time passed away.

The rapid growth of Redmond, accompanied by greatly increased auto traffic made the comer site undesirable. In September, 1926, the church was moved to its present location where it was remodeled and dedicated as a new church on March 4, 1928 by Bishop W. O. Shepard. At that time our District Superintendent was Byron H. Wilson and the pastor, William E. Callahan.

The committee in charge of remodeling was composed of Dr A. Magnussen, Dr. J. H. Woodside and William S. Quackenbush, Chairman.

CHURCH HISTORY - Edited by Mrs. W. S. Quackenbush

(I made a few minor changes in the excerpts above to correct names and a few facts that are well documented. It still needs proofreading. Please email corrections and additions to georgeann@msn.com )