Historic Houses of Sumas, WA - Part 4 of 4.....The Gillies House

The Gillies house was one of the houses featured on the 2015 horse-drawn historic house tour.  The current owner has done a great job of restoration in a successful attempt to return the house to its original splendor.

This gorgeous house, with the circular drive, was built in 1910 by John Campbell Gillies.  John and his brother George operated several sawmills and the local Funeral Home.  George also built a Sumas home located across the street at 416 Garfield Ave.

Picture 1

Posted with permission from the Custer collection

Photograph taken 14 June, 1911 ....looking SW.

Picture 2

Posted with permission from the Custer collection

John and Alice Gillies

married 29 June, 1898

(buried in the Sumas cemetery).

Lizette Custer (the Gillie’s house current owner) kindly provided an informational sheet on the history of the house:

Posted with permission from Custer collection.

Picture 3

Posted with permission from the Custer collection.

Gillies Funeral Home as it looked on the NE corner of Cherry Street and Harrison Ave. in Sumas, WA

photograph taken circa 1930?

Picture 4

posted with permission from the Custer collection.

A winter landscape with the Gillies house.

Date unknown.

Picture 5

Posted with permission from the Custer collection

An interesting photograph of the interior of the Gillies house.  The ladies are busy shelling peas.

Picture 6

Posted with permission from the Custer collection.

A delightful picture of Alice in her garden.

Picture 7

Photograph taken by Deborah Morgan, October 24, 2015

The Gillies house as it looked for the historical house tour sponsored by the Friends of the Sumas library.  

Sumas Veterans_2 of 2_Harvey Canfield (1848-1916)

Civil War veteran, Harvey Canfield in Sumas, WA...1898

picture 1
posted with permission from the J. West family collection
This is an rare, very early photograph taken 14 March, 1898. According to the faded handwriting on the back of the photograph this site is located "1 1/2 miles from Sumas, WA" and the gentleman posing is Harvey Canfield.  The landscape is flat with no hills visible which probably means that the photographer is facing southwest away from the mountains.  The field looks newly logged off and there is still lots of large trees nearby.  It looks as if a little orchard is planted to the right of the cottage. The ground in front of the cottage looks rough and full of  discarded plant debris. (cabbage leaves?)  Certainly a bachelor quarters. 

picture 2
posted with permission from the J. West family collection

This detail of picture 1 shows Mr.Harvey Canfield. He is posed with a 4 button coat, tall muddy boots and bowler hat outside the cottage. 

Harvey was a veteran of the Civil War having served in the Union Army. In the 1880 United State Census, he (who was born in either 1848 or 1849 in Michigan) was working as a farm hand in Oakfield, Michigan and was single.  According to the 1910 United State Census (twelve years after picture 1 was taken), Harvey owned his own land and home. He was listed as a single widower, living in Sumas and as having fathered a child, who was not living with him. 

Upon further research on Ancestry.com I found that he served in Company A, 18th Michigan Infantry. He also served for a time in Co A. 9th Michigan Infantry.  He was mustered out of the army 16 September, 1865. Due to numerous health issues he was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Soldiers in Tennessee February 1916.   Later, he was transferred to another Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was cared for from August until October.

In the records of the National Home for Disabled Soldier's his closest relative was listed as a nephew named William Canfield who lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There is no listing of a son or daughter.   Harvey Canfield died 7 November, 1916 and was buried in the Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana.

Please watch for my next posting about another historical house in Sumas.  

Veteran's Day in Sumas - featuring lost warrior, Donald Nugen (1918-1942)

 From the Civil War to the present times Sumas had many young men and women have served proudly.  During the early settlement of Sumas many of the men who arrived  were Civil War Veterans trying to start a new life.  The veterans are an important part of our community to this day.

picture 1

photograph taken by Deborah Morgan, November 11, 2015

This monument garden was an Eagle Scout project from several years ago.  The list of the vets buried at the Sumas Cemetery are displayed for all to see.

Unfortunately, not all of the heroes of Sumas are buried in our little cemetery.  Some simply didn't come home.  So it would be difficult to get a true count on how many came from our town.

Who remembers Donald R. Nugen, who was raised in Sumas in the large house on the southeast corner of the intersection of Sumas Avenue (then known as Walnut Street) and Garfield?  His parents were Dr. Dorcie Ray and Naomi Nugen.   They relocated from Indiana and became very well respected members of the Sumas social scene.  Dr. Nugen was a popular physician who served Sumas well.  Their son, Donald joined the army right out of Nooksack High School in 1936.  He served in the 31st. Infantry in the Philippines  Sadly he died in 1942 a prisoner of war on the Bataan.. His body was listed as not recoverable.

Dr. Nugen went into despair after words of his only son death came to him.  According to an interview with Jospehine Fadden (who worked at the bank at the time),  Dr. Nugen came into the bank and demanded angrily that all the war bond posters to be torn down.  He was devastated.

Picture 2 

Source of the clipping is unknown.

Picture 3

Picture posted with permission from Mr. M. Miller's collection

Gold star mother, Naomi Nugen

Naomi threw herself into the works of several community activities.  She received support from the members of the Double A Club.  

After the death of Dr. Dorcie and Noami Nugen, there was a generous scholarship fund put into place at Nooksack Valley High School for lucky college bound recipents.  The Nugens had no heirs to inherit their estate and hopefully many young students were able to benefit from the Dr. D.R. Nugen Scholarship fund. A hollow replacement for losing their son. 

Picture 4

Source of clipping is unknown. (glued in a scrapbook)

Historic Houses of Sumas, WA. Part 3 of 4...The Thomas House

The Thomas house is a beautiful Sumas landmark.  It was built in 1911 by Reese Thomas, a successful businessman in early Sumas. This house was originally built with features that demonstrated the family’s wealth such as a ‘dumb waiter’ and cost the princely sum of $2400.00 to build.

picture 1

Photograph posted with permission of the Edwards family

Thomas house looking SE

photograph date unknown

Rees Thomas was born in Glamorganshire, Wales in 1862 and immigrated to the United States with his family as a child around 1866.  He married Susan Francis Baldwin in 1887.  Susan was born in Illinois and resided in Nebraska as a young woman. Rees and Susan (better known as Fanny) resided in Nebraska until relocating to Sumas sometime before 1906.

In Sumas, Rees Thomas established a hardware store around 1906 and operated it with the help of his son Clifford. 

Rees Thomas died 16 November, 1933 at the age of 72 and was buried at the Sumas cemetery.  Fanny died in 1941.

Picture 2

Rear row, left to right:

Clifford Thomas, Zoe Thomas, Susan Francis (Baldwin) Thomas, Sarah Alta Thomas, Edgar (Ted) Thomas

Front row, left to right:

Lee Baldwin Thomas, Rees Thomas, Jack Rees Thomas

Photograph circa 1906-1907

Picture 3

 Rees Thomas Hardware store was located on the northwest corner of Cherry and Garfield Street, Sumas.

Picture 4

Rees Thomas in his hardware store, taken about 1915.

Picture 5

The Thomas  House was beautifully restored by the Edwards family.  It was one of the high points of the Sumas Historical House tour, October 24, 2015. It is located at 207 First Street in Sumas and is now a private resident.

Sumas Historical House Tour!

On Saturday October 24 at 2:00 p.m. join us for a historical house tour in Sumas. We are going to enjoy a horse drawn trolley ride from house to house where their gracious owners are going to open their houses to us.  Seating is limited so please contact the library to get your name on the list.  You can also walk from house to house if you prefer.  After the tour gather at the Sumas Library for hot cider and refreshments. 

Tidbits from the Sumas News, our hometown newspaper

Who remembers reading the Sumas News, our own newspaper?   According to the Chronicling America Website,  Sumas News existed under different managements from 1889 - 1965.  It was the local source of advertising and news for the region.  The articles were full of important local stories such as who was elected into positions in local clubs, and who is in the hospital and why.  Of course the ladies clamored for the advertisements and good deals offered by local businesses.

The Sumas News was published in the Hansen-Lochbaum building featured in the June 3, 2015 posting http://nooksackvalleynostalgia.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-rise-and-fall-of-hansen-lochbaum.html. The building was later known as the Maple Leaf Tavern.

The following pictures are scans of advertisements in vintage Sumas News:

Picture 1

September 1, 1960
Who remembers dancing in the Huntsman Ballroom? It looked to be a classy place.

Picture 2

September 1, 1960

Nothing like a good end of the summer clearance sale at Linn's Hardware!

 

Picture 3

August 21, 1925

 In 1925 it  was appropriate to go to the Cigar Store to enjoy an ice cream sundae! 

 

 

 

I will be taking advantage of the wealth of information available in the old Sumas News.  I will be  sharing stories, tidbits and clippings in upcoming postings.  

Vedder Mountain Fire - 1978

In August of 1978  (According to the memories of the local town folks) a forest fire was started on Vedder Mountain by arcing power wires.  According to lifelong resident, Josephine Fadden, her husband, Bruce witnessed the sparking of the fire from his farm on Jones Road.  He contact the Department of National Resources and reported the fire.  It took several days before there was any response and by then the fire spread into Canada and was a major concern. 

The fire was burning during the week of the Lynden Fair.  It attracted some of the fair goers who came to Sumas to watch the action.   According to Art Bobb, the firefighters were using a string of explosives that would run up the mountain and clear a path for the men to follow up the steep terrain.   

The base camp was at the Nooksack High School where the fire crew had a chow trailer and other equipment.

There was another fire in the 1980s supposedly started by illegal border jumper's campfire. 





Picture 1

Photograph taken by Burl Brooks Beane, August 1978.  A helicopter fighting the fire on Vedder Mountain.  This was taken looking east towards Vedder Mountain from Rock Road. 

Photograph 2

Photograph taken by Burl Brooks Beane,  August 1978.  Photograph taken looking east from Rock Road of the helicopter hard at work fighting the Vedder Mountain Fire.

 Picture 3

Photograph taken by Burl Brooks Beane, August 1978

 Picture 4

 

 Photograph taken by Burl Brooks Beane, August 1978 at night of the Vedder Mountain Fire.

Picture 5

Photograph taken by Burl Brooks Beane,  August 1978.  Another night photograph of Vedder Mountain on fire.  

Sumas Community Days - August 30th, 1958 Part 2 of 2





In the last posting about Sumas Community Days - August 30th, 1958, we looked at the grand floats  that passed along the parade route down Cherry Street.  The amount of work and pride that the communities put into their displays were amazing.  The young ladies were dressed in their very stylish and formal gowns and were truly beautiful. 

 

In viewing the upcoming pictures please be aware that the some photos would be considered racist or demeaning in our current views.  In 1958 it was not considered so.  Please do not judge by our current standards.

 

Picture 1

 Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

 

The young ladies on the float are heading south in Sumas on Cherry Street pass the Christian Science Society .   The building was at the southwest corner of Cherry and First Street facing east.  The building is now the 24/7 Shipping business. 

 

 

 Picture 2

Posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

 

A clever parade entry!   It looks like a young man enjoying a magic carpet ride! Notice the Ivy covered City Hall in the background.



 

Picture 3

Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.



 

These gentlemen would never be able to parade in such a fashion today.  What an interesting look into attitudes and humor of the times.  Certainly not acceptable with our current standards.

 

 Picture 4 

Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

 

Boys dressed like hobos and a unicycle.

 

Picture 5

 Posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

 

An unique way of dressing like Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.  This picture is in front of the Grand Hotel on the east side of Cherry Street just south of Garfield Street. 

Picture 6



 Posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

 

Girls costumed in their renditions of Native American dress.  The photo is labeled, Bev Wells and Nonie.

 

Picture 7

Posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

 

Ardis McWilliams on horseback ready for the Sumas Community Day Parade!

 

 Tomorrow will be another installment about the Sumas Community Days - August 30th, 1958.  I hope you find these retro photos as delightful as I do.

 

 

Sumas Community Day - August 30, 1958 Part 1 of 2

This upcoming Saturday, June 27th, 2015, our fine town of Sumas will gather and share a bit of community spirit on Sumas Days.  The park will be filled with festive venders, games and of course the annual Car Show which brings vintage car collectors in with their classics with pride.  Of course there will be the Sumas Days Parade in which the families will line the street watching for the bands, floats and fire engines to go by.  In the evening will be the firework show which is always a big crowd pleaser.  Sumas Community Days has been a yearly tradition for years!

 

However, Sumas Community Days have not always been a June tradition.  August 30, 1958, a photographer captured the parade in all of its glory.  As you will notice in the pictures the huge amount of work that went into the Sumas Day Parade! 

 



Picture 1

 Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

This is looking north from the center of the block on Cherry Street.  The ivy covered City Hall on the left is on the northwest corner of Cherry and First Street.   The flags are up and people are gathering to see the upcoming parade.

 

 

Picture 2

 Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

The Nooksack Valley High School making it proud march heading south on Cherry Street.   They are crossing the intersection of Cherry Street and First Street.



 

 

Picture 3





 The Sumas Legion float with the lovely Sumas Royalty.   The ladies are shown in picture  4.  This is looking north on Garfield Street.  The Grand Hotel in the background is facing onto Cherry Street.

Picture 4

Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

According to the labeling of the photograph,  "Queens Vicki,  Judy and Annette."

 

Picture 5





Posted with permission from the Crouse family collection

Queen Judy from the Sumas Legion Float.

 

Photograph 6



Photograph posted with permission from the Crouse family collection.

Everson Float headed south on Cherry Street in front of the Grand Hotel. This was on the southeast corner of Cherry and Garfield Street.

 

Picture 7

Janis Fisher in the Sumas Community Parade, August 30, 1958.

 

I hope you enjoyed this wonderful peek into Sumas Community Days past.  Tomorrow, I will post more delightful pictures of the parade of August 30th, 1958.



Spring Fishing Derby - 1972

As most people in Sumas are aware, last weekend, the Sumas American Legion held the 26th Annual Howard Bowen Memorial Fishing Derby on June 6th.  I was unable to attend as I was working, however, I am hearing that it was a success.  In previous years, the derby was held at the park down on Johnson Creek.  The city workers would place barriers across the creek on each side of the park under the bridges.  The fish would be released into the contained area for the children's fishing derby.  When the derby was over the barriers were removed.  Any surviving fish were free to swim away. 

This year however the Fish and Wildlife officials determined that the creekside park was a sensitive habitat of an endangered frog.  So in order to protect the habitat the fishing derby was cancelled in the park after many years.  After much debate and consternation it was decided to clean up a pond over by the baseball field on the Hovel Road and the festivities were up and running again .

 

picture 1

 

 

Official poster advertising this year's fishing derby.

 

Although the poster announces it to be the 26th Annual Fishing Derby in actual fact  the Derby has been part of our community for much longer.  The following pictures  were taken at the Spring Fishing Derby in 1972.  I was either 11 or 12 years old and proudly walked around the Fishing Derby with my camera 43 years ago snapping shots of friends and community members. 

 

Picture 2

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12. 

This is facing east towards Sumas Avenue where the bridge crosses Johnson Creek.  A happy crowd of young people hoping to catch the prized fish.  Although most of the time was spent untangling each others fishing lines.

 

Picture 3

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

This unidentified boy was the first person to catch a fish at the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby.

 

Picture 4

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.



Tony Ehlers removing his catch from the hook.

 

Picture 5

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

An unidentified  boy with his catch.

 

Picture 6

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Stacy Waddell showing off her fish.

 

Picture 7

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

A representative of the Sumas American Legion Post, LeRoy Witman.  The Sumas Legion sponsored the yearly fishing derby.

 

Picture 8

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.





A beloved school teacher, LaVoun Hoffman  enjoying the festivities at the fishing derby.

 

Picture 9

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Harold Odergaard (school teacher and member of the American Legion) at the Spring Fishing Derby, 1972.

Picture 10

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Lucy LaClair and Stacy Waddell at the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby.

 

Picture 11

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.



Burl and LaVelle Beane at the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby.

 

Picture 12

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Venus Ruiz ready to catch fish at the 1972 Spring fishing Derby in Sumas, Washington!

 

Picture 13

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Spectators of the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby on the Sumas Avenue bridge over Johnson Creek.

 

Picture 14

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

I was amazed when  I was looking through the pictures above.  The park looks a bit untidy compared to the manicure grass today.  I don't remember it being that way. 

 



Picture 15













 

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

The fishing derby at the creekside park next to Johnson Creek in Sumas, WA.  The building at the right is no longer there.