In the Tuesday, July 23 meeting of the Pierce County Council, the council received notice that Pat McCarthy, Pierce County Executive had signed ordinance 2013-18, placing the McMillian Bridge on the Register of Historic Places. Today in response, the Washington State Department of Transportation recognized that status by taking the demolition of the bridge off their…
Category: History
History of the communtiy
Chip sealing warning, mannequins and horses
By Marianne Lincoln Cruising around Spanaway on this lovely summer day of July, I saw many things happening in the area. The Washington Ladies Riding Club Association (WLRCA) State Meet Competition was this weekend at the Tacoma Horseman’s Unit in Spanaway. They presented their awards for the weekend riding and horsemanship competition in the outdoor arena….
Lovely weather for the Spanaway Historical Society picnic
The Spanaway Historical Society held their annual picnic and meeting on Sunday July 21 at the Prairie House Museum grounds. They re-elected their officers for the year. (correction) Shirley Mathis is the new President, Marilyn Goddard is vice president, Kathleen Creso is secretary and Chuck Overaa is treasurer.. It was a lovely, temperate, sunny summer day. It was…
Spanaway Historical Society Picnic Sunday, July 21
Sunday noon, July 21 is the annual Spanaway Historical Society Potluck Picnic and Annual Meeting. At the Prairie House Museum on 176th Street, next to Fir Lane Memorial Park, many of the oldest citizens of Spanaway will gather with their families to celebrate the historic founding and early days of Spanaway. The event is a…
Getting your historical bearings – Parkland, Spanaway to Roy
From the time Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean, until 1846, the United States and Great Brittain competed for the Pacific Northwest. The area north of the Columbia River was particularly controversial. With considerably more American settlers around Oregon City and a Hudson’s Bay outpost at Vancouver, it was thought highly likely the area…
Ground breaking has begun on the Elk Plain O’Reilly’s
ELK PLAIN, WA — The site has been the Elk Plain Cafe since the 1940’s and a gas station since about 1901. Earlier this year, the Elk Plain Cafe building was removed along with old manufactured homes and the tall trees. This week, the excavation began for the new O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store on the…
Graham Fire and Rescue welcomes new Chief Ryan Baskett
Graham Fire and Rescue held a badge pinning today to officially promote and welcome its new Fire Chief, Ryan Baskett. The 3:00 p.m. ceremony was held at the headquarters fire station on 70th Avenue. The entire Baskett family was there, some arriving from eastern Washington. Much of Baskett’s wife’s family (she’s a granddaughter of John…
McMillin Bridge headed for Pierce County Register of Historic Places
PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The state-owned McMillin Bridge, a historically significant structure spanning the Puyallup River near Orting, may not be long for this world if the state proceeds to tear it down. But Pierce County wants to make sure the bridge’s future remains the subject of continued discussion. The County Council voted 6-0 on June…
Kapowsin, Electron and Clay City – the former boom towns of South Pierce County
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…
Memorial Day at Bethany Cemetery
Here are a few photo memories of the memorial Day tribute at the pioneer Bethany cemetery.
Bethel High Dominates, Wins State History Championship
BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT — For the second time in school history, Bethel High School has captured National History Day’s Washington State Championship. Officially known as the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Outstanding School Award, the “State Cup” belongs to the team whose projects garner the highest total rankings in the finalist round of competition. Scored like a…
Spanaway historical graveyard cleanup Saturday, April 20
The Parkland-Spanaway Kiwanis will be having their annual graveyard cleanup on Saturday, April 20. The historical Spanaway pioneer graveyard is on 176th and A Street. If you feel like assisting as an Earth Day project a little early, they will surely welcome the help. Speaking of history, the photos below are pages of a December 1939 newsletter…
Pierce Prairie Post 