Clubs and Organizations of Sumas, WA - Part 1 of 1- Sumas Valley Grange #920

October 17, 1929, The Sumas Valley Grange #920 was organize in Sumas, Washington.  The Grange made it's home in the West Opera House building that was located on First Street to the east of Cherry Street. The history and purpose of the grange stretches back almost 151 years in the United States. It  was formed as a fraternal organization, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry.   Oliver Kelly. on orders from President Andrew Johnson traveled to the southern states to evaluate the and collect data to improve agricultural conditions. Oliver Kelly determined that an organization would help bring the south and north together and help deal with outmoded agricultural practices. The first Grange was established in Fredonia, New York in 1868. Then It spread throughout rural United States. The Grange was unique in that women and teens were encouraged to participate and hold positions. The Grange lobbied for non-partisan laws that benefited the farmers.  They fought for lower rates by railroads and rural free mail delivery by the United States Post Office. 

The Grange hall became an important center of activities and meetings. There was dances and socials as well as their business meetings. They participated in activities with other neighboring grange halls. The Grange made it's presence known at regional fairs and agricultural events. Sumas was no exception!

Retired Washington State Senator, Gary Odegaard along with his brother, the late Harold Odegaard  spent their youth in Sumas. The Odegaard family were active with the Sumas Valley Grange and managed to photograph the following grange activities throughout the 1950s.

Picture 1

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection.

The Sumas Valley Grange Hall which was converted from the West Opera House.  This picture is dated as October, 1953.  Later this building was turned into a restaurant/bar the Lone Jack Saloon in the 1970s.  The building is still standing and is used as a shipping business known as Ship Happens. It is located on south side of First Street in between Cherry Street and Sumas Avenue.

Picture 2

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

A side view of the Sumas Valley Grange Hall after a new addition was added on.  Photograph was taken in October 1953.

The following photographs were taken in 1952: 

picture 3

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Sumas Grange Carnival - Summer 1952

Picture 4

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Sumas Grange Carnival - Summer 1952

Picture 5

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hack - 1952 Grange Master

Summer 1952

Picture 6

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Sumas Grange Booth at the Lynden Fair- August 1952

The following photographs were taken in 1953:

Picture 7

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Evo Hickman, Ralph Scofield. Gene McWilliams  playing at Delta Grange Hall near Lynden, WA.

Picture taken April 1953

Picture 8

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Jack and Bob Steiner playing at the Delta Grange near Lynden, WA.  Picture taken in April, 1953.

Picture 9

 Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Sumas Grange Bazaar - April 1953

Picture 10

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Sumas Valley Grange Booth at Lynden, WA-  August 1953.

The following photographs were taken in 1954:

Picture 11

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

A group of Sumas Grange ladies ( labeled on the back as Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Froberg, Mrs. Ohmart, Ardis McWilliams and Mom) at Goss Store in Sumas advertising butter. February 1954.

According to Gary Odegaard during an interview,  the ladies were protesting against the use of margarine and was trying to encourage this use of real butter.   Goss store was located on the west side of Cherry Street to the south of Johnson Creek.

Picture 12

 Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Group of Grangers painting the dining room of the Sumas Grange.  Labeled on the back the individuals are identified as Mrs. Froberg, Mrs. Perry, Calvin Hack, Mrs. Young-Dyke, and Mr. Hack.  March 15, 1954.

picture 13

 Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Carol McWilliams writer and director of 8th grade skit - first prize. 

Sumas Valley Grange Dining Room (new) march 29, 1954.

picture 14

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Fred Olsen of the W.M.C.  at the Sumas Valley Grange. March 29, 1954.

Picture 15

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Whatcom County and State Grange Officers

the third man from the left identified as A. Lars Nelson.

Sumas Valley Grange. July 1, 1954.

Picture 16

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

A. Lars Nelson, State Grange Master July 15, 1954.

Picture 17

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Master Gene McWilliams and Mrs. Boesh displaying an Afghan for a grange prize. July 1, 1954.

Picture 18

Posted with permission from the G. Odegaard Collection

Gary Odegaard and Ann working at the Sumas Grange Milk Bar at the Lynden Fair, August 20, 1954

picture 19

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection
Frances and Ann behind the counter of the Sumas Grange Milk Bar at the Lynden Fair.
August 20, 1954

picture 20

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Sumas Grange Fair Booth at the Lynden Fair.  Won 2nd Prize.  August 20, 1954.

Picture 21

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

The 25th Grange Anniversary and Booster Night.  

October 1954

The following photographs were taken in 1965:

picture 22

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Ardis McWilliams at Grange dance, Sumas, Washington. 

February 1956

 Picture 23

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Sumas Grange Dance 

playing bean bag game

Sumas, Washington

February 1956

Picture 24

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Party and Dance at the Sumas Valley Grange.

Sumas, Washington

February 1956

Picture 25

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Sumas Valley Grange Booth at Puyallup Fair.

September 1957

Picture 26

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Sumas Valley Grange 1957 officers.

December 19, 1957

Grange Hall

Sumas, Washington

The Following photographs were taken in 1958.

Picture 27

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Written in ink on the the reverse: "Mom and Evo by Sweepstakes Grange Booth at Lynden Fair. August 1958

Picture 28

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Sumas Grange Sweepstake winner booth.

Lynden Fair - August 1958

Picture 29

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

Written in ink on the reverse of the photograph:  Mom and Evo working in the Sumas Grange Darigold Bar at Sumas Community Day. August 30, 1958.

Picture 30

Posted with permission from the G. Odergaard collection

The  Grange family of the year,  The Art Jorgensens.

Was named Grange family of the year at Welcome Grange Hall. 

 December 29, 1958

Thank you, Gary Odegaard for sharing the wonderful photos that gives us a glimpse into the  Sumas Valley Grange during the 1950s.    

Railroads of Sumas_Part 4 of 4_ Canadian Pacific Railroad

The early businessmen of Sumas was banking on the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR)  to put the town on the map. This would make Sumas an international crossing in which the railroad would  connect Sumas to the west and east coast. Several railroad companies from the south were frantically laying tracks racing each other in order reach Sumas first.  All the investors were gambling on their companies to beat the competition in connecting with the Canadian Pacific Railroad which was building a line from Mission, British Columbia.

According to the CPR website, http://www.cpr.ca/en/about-cp/our-history, the CPR railroad was founded in 1881 to link Canada's population from coast to coast. Canada's confederation July 1, 1867 was just a start of its massive growths over the next few years. In order to connect the new provinces several Scottish-Canadian businessmen led by the first president of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, George Stephen set forth to build a railroad.  The construction started slowly in 1881 but finally met at Craigellachie, British Columbia where the western and eastern portions of the tracks met November 7, 1885 where the last spike was driven.  The construction almost broke the company, but soon the transcontinental trains brought success. The first transcontinental train ran from Montreal, Toronto and on to Port Moody, June 28, 1886.

A decision was made to add a short line of the CPR from Mission, British Columbia to Sumas, Washington in order to connect to the United State's rail system.  The importance of this particular hookup of the two railroads was recognized in New Whatcom 25 miles south of the border which is now Bellingham, WA.  The railroad was expected to bring economic prestige to all involved.  The railroad would connect Sumas to Vancouver where the trans-pacific ships and luxury liners connected to Asia.  To the east the railroad would connect to with the eastern seaboard and again to the trans-atlantics ships.  New Whatcom and Sumas was certain to be a part of a world wide economy. 

The following accounts are excepts: are from the book, Boundary Town, by Roy Franklin Jones:

Philip S. Van Wyck, one time BB & BC fireman and later rail historian, contributed an article for Bulletin NO. 84, published by the Railroad and Locomotive Society, in which he said:  "On March 1, 1891, the line extended to Sumas, 23 miles from  Bellingham Bay.  Several Weeks later the Canadian Pacific reached Sumas and the junction was made.  Cornwall (Pres. of BB&BC) had negotiated an agreement with Pres. William Van Horne of the Canadian Pacific with the result that on May 28, 1891, the first Canadian Pacific train entered New Whatcom over tracks of the BB & BC, making New Whatcom the Canadian Pacific's American Terminus. "

Picture 1

Canadian Pacific engine #377 

First train in Sumas City, Washington on the Canadian Pacific Railway, May 1891. 

Posted with permission from the Jim West collection.

The following is written in Roy Franklin Jones's book  Boundary Town:

  "Event followed event in the spring of '91 and the rip-roaring celebrations initiated on March 1st with the arrival of the BB & BC was to be repeated again and again; at the completion of the SLS & E to its depot; at the joint track hookup and the passage of the first CPR train over the BB & BC on May 28th; at the arrival of the first regular scheduled CPR passenger train en route to New Whatcom on June 22nd; and at the junction of the SLS & E with tracks of the CPR a little later. 

       At the first of these celebrations the townsite people were jubilant.  Lots were selling like hotcakes.  Some of the early settlers left their claims for a time and constructed board and tent shelters and hung out a "Hotel" sign to help take care of the fast arriving populace.  Saloons and gambling houses mushroomed.  There were plenty of partners at two bits a swing for the men at the dance halls and nearby rooming houses flourished.  

      The townsite men set the pattern.  They organized a brass band and furnished free beer at their offices.  With the construction crews from three railroad and newcomers arriving every day, by work train and stage, money flowed freely, accommodations were short but headaches were plentiful.

     By the time May 28th arrived with he celebration o driving the golden spike for the joint hookup, the saloons joined the free beer parade.  They released the pressure on beer kegs in front of their locations and opened the ends so that celebrators would cup the beer at will as they thronged from one dispensary to another.   

    Marpole, of the CPR, and Stangroom of the BB & BC made speeches and these were followed by rosy predictions from two members of the Canadian Parliament just before the golden spike was driven. A guest dignitary, who declined to speak since his railroad was not involved, was a most interesting personality in that he captured the admiration of rank and file westerners, none other than the Great Northern's James J. Hill..  Most of the official representatives wore Prince Albert coats and tall hats.  The Canadian's had come in  a special car of the directors, which was hooked on behind a baggage car used as a service unit and was hauled by Engine No. 306."

                                                                                         

Picture 2

Canadian Pacific Engine 356

A standard 4-4-0 wood burning steam locomotive and tender pulling coaches.  This photograph of Engine number 356 is identified in Roy Franklin Jone's Book, Boundary Town, as the First Canadian train on B.B. & B.C.  tracks taken May 28th, 1891.

Posted with permission from the Jim West collection.

On June 22, 1891, New Whatcom greeted the first CPR passenger train with great ceremony which which ended up in chaos.  Sehome and Whatcom arranged their fire departments on each side of the track  to greet the train with a water arch in which the train was to go under.  The pressurized fire hoses was new at this time and very much a source of pride for New Whatcom.  The Whatcom firefighters got their water pressure first and gave their rival, Sehome firefighters a drenching.  When the Sehome firefighters finally got their pressure in their fire hose they returned the favor by giving the Whatcom firefighters a soaking. This ended up in a full blown water fight between the two departments.  Some of the passenger coaches windows were already opened and others were actually blown out due to the water pressure from the hoses. About 200 passengers got soaked due to the water fight. There was about six thousand people at the event to witness the arrival of the CPR Train and many got soaked.

The event is described  in Roy Franklin Jones's book  Boundary Town:

"On the arrival of the first regular CPR passenger train at New Whatcom on June 22nd a tremendous welcome had  been arranged.  The whole station area there was crowded with people eager to see the first transcontinental train over the American line.   Flags flew throughout the cities of New Whatcom and Fairhaven.  Bands were assembled, prepared to play the Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, and God Save the Queen.  The long and spirited rivalry of Seahome and Whatcom had been composed in a plan to unite the two adjacent towns into New Whatcom.

In a burst of inventiveness, Major Jenkins' committee, headed by Joshua A. Baker. approved a plan for the Whatcom and Seahome fire departments to put a dazzling display by providing columns of water from the new pump engines, which were to trained in the air from either side of the track , the cascading water forming a triumphal entering arch under which the Canadian Train would enter.   

As the train pulled in, loaded with officials and two hundred passengers, whistles blowing, bells ringing, two bands playing, cannon firing, the engine passed under the water arch.  As the coaches pulled under the arch, a nozzle dropped, just far enough to deliver its full force into the windows were eager Canadian officials stood watching.   One silk hat was seen flying out of an opposite window.  

The triumphal entrance was turned immediately into an indignation meeting.  The fiery tempers of the Canadian visitors reach calamitous heights.  The day was ruined.  The banquet, scheduled at the Purdy Opera House was carried out after much apology and diplomacy but the feast was chilled.  There was also an unfortunate flag incident, too.  Subsequent actions showed there was little doubt but the C.P.R.  began soon to consider the abandonment of the joint use of track agreement.  

But this was the doing of the Bellingham Bay community, twenty-three miles down the new road from Sumas.  Snuggled up against the border we tried to be good neighbors to our Canadian friends and we found they were doing the same." 

Also shared in The Fourth Corner by Lelah Jackson Edson:

To welcome the first overland Canadian Pacific train, due June 22, 1891, New Whatcom staged an elaborate celebration.  This mis-fired so badly it almost an international incident.  Two bands, patriotic organizations, all in uniform, awaited the visitors at Holly Street and Railroad Avenue where a great arch had been erected, carrying British and American colors on separate pillars.

The Donald Farquharson family, arriving that day from Michigan, have told how the fire companies of Sehome and Whatcom lined up on opposite sides of the tracks, it being planned that the train should arrive beneath an arch of water.  Unfortunately the rival companies started a water fight, and the train rolled in between opposing columns of water delivered with force sufficient to break the coach windows and drench the guests.  Roth reports, that after abject apologies been accepted , the distinguished guests sat down to a banquet at the Purdy Opera House-C and Thirteenth Street (West Holly).

During the interval certain excitable  youth noted that the British flag on the arch was a few inches higher that the American.  In attempting to equalize the height of the two flags the British emblem was dropped, trampled under foot and left, as the prime movers of the act fled.  The Canadians naturally were highly incensed and the insult was discussed in the Chancelleries of Canada, Great Britain and the United States, but responsibility was not fixed.

In spite of the embarrassing situations which almost created an international incident, a connection was made.   Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad beat out the competition and made the all important connection.  Finally, Sumas had access to all of Canada and the United States.