By Chuck Haviland John Flett wrote an article noting that 23 Families from the Red River area of Canada went westward to the Puget sound area on the request of acting governor Duncan Fenelon of the HBC, in 1841. Among those who came were John Flett and three brothers, and John Tate, John Spence, James and Alexander…
Category: History
History of the communtiy
Part 6: George Bush
By Chuck Haviland There is a story about a Charles Wren of Muck Creek that occurred in the 1800’s. In the fall of 1869 Abijah O’Neil jumped an improved farm belonging to a Charles Wren who was a French Canadian. They forced him to vacate his land, after the vigilante group found him guilty of…
November is National American Indian Heritage Month
November is National American Indian Heritage Month. “It is a time to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and proud ancestry of American Indians and recognize …”the vital contributions that American Indians have made and continue to make to the strength, balance, tolerance, and diversity of our society.” — E Hychka Siam Mulstimulth (Thank you, high-class/ uplifting people)….
Part 6: George Bush
By Chuck Haviland There is a story about a Charles Wren of Muck Creek that occurred in the 1800”s. In the fall of 1869 Abijah O’Neil jumped an improved farm belonging to a Charles Wren who was a French Canadian. Forcing him to vacate his land, after the vigilante group found him guilty of cattle…
Duwamish Tribe Celebrates the First Nations–Free Event
The Duwamish Tribe & Poets West host a program of Native American poetry and storytelling followed by an open mike and showing of the film, Princess Angeline. Featured artists include: Thomas Hubbard, Philip Red Eagle, J. Glenn Evans, Peter Ali, and Duwamish heritage group Singing Feet. THere is free admission/parking. Another sponsor is 4Culture. October…
Defending the Braves
SPANAWAY, WA — Sunday October 6 at 1 p.m., the descendants of Fort Nisqually Employees Association (DFNEA) will hold a special meeting in the Bethel District area, The meeting will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church at 264th and the Mountain Highway. At the meeting, local Hudson Bay descendants will be discussed. Along Muck Creek were…
Part 5: George Bush Washington State’s First Settler
By Chuck Haviland Pierce County was formed out of Thurston County in 1852. It’s most notable for having the tallest mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range, Mt. Rainier. It was known to the Indians as Mt. Tahoma. In Feburay 1854, the new legislature was called into place. Their first item of business was to grant George…
Glass blocks from the demolished portion of the Parkland School
PARKLAND, WA — A few weeks ago, crews from Rhine Demolition came to Parkland and took out the oldest section of buildings on Garfield street as well as the one story section of the old Parkland School. The demolition was to make was for the new Garfield Station which begins ground excavation next week. After the…
Hudson Bay Company descendants abound in south Pierce County
By Marianne Lincoln SPANAWAY, WA — Long before Washington was a state or even a territory, even before Oregon was a territory, this area was occupied by indigenous people and the fur traders. In 1832, a small contingent from the Hudson’s Bay Company built a storehouse on the shore of Puget Sound at the mouth…
Part 4: George Bush, first settler in Washington
By Chuck Haviland LIFE IN THE NEW FRONTIER In 1846 two Americans settled to the North of New Market, they were; Edmund Sylvester and Levi Lathrop Smith. Smith settled on a piece of land that was to become Olympia. In 1848 he drowned after capsizing his canoe (while having an epileptic attack) in Puget Sound….
Garfield Street demolition update Aug. 29
PARKLAND, WA — The ongoing process of clearing away the old to bring in the new continues at the corner of C Street and Garfield in Parkland. Here are the latest photos of the process which should be complete in just a couple of days. The groundbreaking for the new Garfield Station will be on…
Part 3: George Bush, life on the wagon train
George Bush, PART 3 By Chuck Haviland LIFE ON THE WAGON TRAIN The first wagon train arrived in 1843. (Actually the very first arrivals that came thru the Oregon trail were in 1841- 36 men with their families). They were joined by 1000 newcomers in 1843. The number of new arrivals grew each year to…
Pierce Prairie Post 