Probably no organization was as prominent and powerful a force in 1920’s Kirkland civic life than the Warren O. Grimm Post 83 of the American Legion. Its members were said to “run Kirkland”. Indeed, mayors and council members of that era were often legionnaires, for example popular town physician, Dr. Ernest McKibben, Sr., served [...]
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Kirkland Heritage Society presentation by Marin Harris, April 25
Lake Washington Senior, Marin Harris, will present her Senior Project on April 25, 2012 at Heritage Hall, 203 Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Some treasures have been discovered in the historic John and Martha Kellett home’s attic and Marin will be sharing what she has learned. Marin’s father grew up in the home and her grandmother still lives [...]
Downtown Kirkland’s 1930s-era Ferry Clock Restoration Gets Underway
Kirkland’s historic ferry clock might soon be repaired and restored to it’s original glory, at least if the spunky Sue Contreras, a Kirkland Park Board member and the ambitious group she’s assembled get their way. From 1905 until 1950, Seattle-bound Kirklanders lined up at the foot of Kirkland Avenue to board a ferry crossing [...]
A Look to the Past: The M.V. Kehoken
This photograph of the UW Husky crew in front of the old Lake Washington Shipyard, today’s Carillon Point, was taken in 1977. So, while the image is newer than most displayed in this column, there is history there. The ferry in the background is the M.V. Kehloken, a 239 foot Alameda, CA built, all wood [...]
Celebrate Kirkland History during the month of February
Above: Photos from around Kirkland. Last year KHS celebrated Founder’s Week. This year, they celebrate History Month. UPDATED Originally published on Feb. 6, 2012 On Saturday, we spotted Loita Hawkinson, President, Kirkland Heritage Society, running around downtown Kirkland placing historical markers in the windows of various merchants as a reminder to the public of how Kirkland [...]
Juanita Beach Over the Years
Juanita Beach is likely the most historic property owned by the city, yet today, despite its deep roots, it has an all new feel and look. Kids during the 1920-30’s used to find arrowheads and spear points at what is now the north end of the park, which suggests native habitation from pre-history. Prior [...]
Kirkland Now & Then — Downtown in the 1940′s
This color image looking north over Moss Bay comes from the collection of the Kirkland Heritage Society and is not dated, but is likely the winter of 1948-49. The image shows the old Kirkland ferry dock and bumper dolphins still in place and those were removed in 1951, so the photo obviously pre-dates that. Color [...]
Best-selling Kirkland History Author Signing at Parkplace Books, Dec. 9
The best-selling Kirkland history book, A Look to the Past: Kirkland, by Kirkland-native frequent Kirklandviews.com contributor Matthew W. McCauley, 47, was released this week in its second edition. It is the first major work since 1975 to look at Kirkland’s origins and early years and is now available for 24.95 at Parkplace Books, 348 Parkplace Center. Along with [...]
Kirkland Now & Then | Downtown from the early 1970s
This drawing of downtown Kirkland’s Central Business District ran as part of a newspaper ad appearing in a 1973 issue of the old East Side Journal. This is, of course, the block on the west side of Lake Street, between Kirkland Avenue and Central Way. Several of the businesses shown, including Betty’s Apparel, Kid’s Stuff [...]
The History of Kiwanis Park
It’s been a long journey from a narrow inaccessible blackberry/ivy covered high bank waterfront, well hidden from [...]
Walk the halls of the old Lake Washington High School virtual tour
In 2009, when Josh Tzucker was a senior at Lake Washington High School, we wanted a challenge for his senior project. What he chose to tackle was to archive a virtual tour of the building before it was to be torn down and replaced. What Josh has created is an impressive record of exactly how [...]
Did you Know… Norkirk was Originally Called Capitol Hill?
Norkirk is a neighborhood in Kirkland that is north of Kirkland and east of Market. It is home to Crestwoods Park, Reservoir Park, Van Aalst Park and Tot Lot… commonly known as Turtle Park. But DID YOU KNOW that this community was originally called Capitol Hill? So far we have not learned when or why [...]
Did You Know… The Luxury Hotel on Market Street
During the Kirk Boom years, four brick buildings were built on the corners of Market and 7th Avenue West and 7th Avenue. Thankfully three of these historic buildings still stand. The first to be built and only one to be torn down was the luxury Hotel Jackson, which later became known as the Leland Hotel. [...]
Did You Know… Juanita’s History
Kirkland had the main ferry dock and only hospital on the Eastside for decades so Kirkland was considered the hub of the Eastside. But DID YOU KNOW that in the early 1870’s, Juanita was the hub? The 1880 census lists the inhabitants of Redmond, Houghton and Juanita in the Juanita Precinct. The census was only [...]
Polishing the Jewel of Edith Moulton Park (photos)
I’ve always loved Edith Moulton Park, a 26-acre jewel in Juanita and now part of the City of Kirkland. Ever since I moved to the area in 1992, I have enjoyed the wooded trails at the park, along 108th Ave Northeast at NE 136th Street. A path winds through the evergreens, and by deftly [...]
Did You Know… LWHS Class of 1955 was Featured in Life Magazine?
DID YOU KNOW that the Lake Washington School District was the first? In 1954, Lake Washington High School organized its first all night party. Just like today, parents chaperoned. The Senior Party was such a success that Life Magazine was there in 1955 to record the second party. Three pages were dedicated in the June 27, 1955 Life issue.
Kirkland Now & Then | The Brooks Building on Market Street
In Kirkland’s history, there are several families that are prolific: Brooks and Patty are two such names. From the 19th century up to today, the branches and roots of these two family trees blend and twist through Kirkland’s past like a 1960s wallpaper design. John B. Patty was born in Tennessee in 1836. In 1861 [...]
Kirkland Now & Then | Kirkland’s First Park
Kirkland’s first park was located at the site of today’s Heritage Park, off Waverly Way. The land had originally been a part of Andrew Nelson’s Homestead, a claim he staked in 1877. When Peter Kirk came in 1887 and began his work building a town that would support his envisioned steel manufacturing complex, Kirk’s [...]
Kirkland Now & Then | The colorful history of Kirkland & Houghton circa 1963 (Photos)
On September 12, 1963, Kirkland and Houghton were two separate cities. Kirkland, incorporated in 1905, had a population of 6500 and Houghton, incorporated in 1947, consisted of 3145 residents. Tension ran high, the next Tuesday, September 17, voters of both towns were to decide whether or not to approve a dramatic change: Consolidation, thereby removing what the East Side Journal [...]
Rob Butcher, Editor
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