By Marianne Lincoln

Last night, I attended the all classes reunion for Kapowsin High School.  There were 81 in attendance although several children and spouses were included in that number.  Laura Jobe brought out all the class annuals, from 1914 to 1951. They were donated to the Alumni by Ann Johnson, a member of the first graduating class of KHS and a teacher there for 14 years.

I attended with the express purpose of asking the class members to help with a historical information project, particularly concerning the transition of Kapowsin to Bethel. For instance, the first graduating class from the Bethel School District actually attended high school in the Kapowsin building as the Bethel High School building was not yet constructed. That is the explanation for the front page from the annual we published that has both Kapowsin and Bethel in the title.

At the end of the evening, Tessie Ogino, directed by Laura Jobe, handed me a bag full of Kapowsin High School artifacts. At the age of 86, she simply doesn’t need all the extra stuff around anymore. Understandable, but now I have the complicated task of finding the right home for this. The only museum in the Bethel School District is in Spanaway. Other artifacts from the formation of the Bethel District have been donated there as well. The Roy Library has a closet for archives, but there are no other museums in the district.

For now, these will go to the Prairie House Museum in Spanaway. There has been talk in Graham about a historical museum, but it is still just talk. I hope they are able to create a museum, there is more than just the history of Kapowsin that is of interest. The Electron Dam, still operating near Kapowsin, was completed in 1904. It has a rich history of construction and incidents over the years. Also the construction of the lumber railroad caused the discovery of a rich vein of clay material. That started a booming brick industry in the region between Kapowsin and Ohop Lakes called Clay City. It is another marvel of South Pierce County’s business boom and bust. Someday I hope they have an approprite place to tell their stories.

KHS grads, you are the richest resources in the area. We wish you all well and thank you to so many of you for being willing to sign up to share your history.