February 2, 2012 - February 8, 2012

Branching Out

On February 2, 1903, the Seattle Public Library opened its first branch in converted apartments in Fremont. From these humble beginnings, the branch later moved to its current location in 1921, by which time the central library had expanded into other neighborhoods, as well as opening a new downtown hub, seen above. Within decades, branch service was available throughout the city.

But by century's end, many of these neighborhood libraries were showing their age and were also in need of new collections and new technology. In 1998, Seattle voters approved a $196 million bond measure to help rebuild the city's public libraries. The Seattle Public Library Foundation added $83 million to complete the building program, as did Bill and Melinda Gates, who donated $20 million in the largest gift to a public library in American history.

The centerpiece of the "Libraries for All" project was the new Central Library, which opened in 2004. Four new branch libraries were built -- the Delridge Branch, the International District/Chinatown Branch, the Northgate Branch, and the South Park Branch -- and other branch libraries were replaced by newer buildings: the NewHolly Branch, the Wallingford Branch, the Capitol Hill Branch, the High Point Branch, the Beacon Hill Branch, the Greenwood Branch, the Ballard Branch, and the Montlake Branch.

Other branches were renovated and/or expanded -- the Rainier Beach Branch, the Green Lake Branch, the West Seattle Branch, the North East Branch, the Columbia Branch, the Fremont Branch, the Lake City Branch, the Douglass-Truth Branch, the Southwest Branch, the Queen Anne Branch, the University Branch, the Broadview Branch, the Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch, and the Magnolia Branch. In 2008, the Seattle Public Library celebrated the completion of this new chapter in its ongoing history.

Taking Wing

On February 3, 1933, Amelia Earhart visited Seattle under the sponsorship of the Woman's Century Club and delivered two lectures at the Civic Auditorium. The world-famous aviator was greeted with a hero's welcome, having recently become the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic. Afterward, she left by ship to Vancouver, B.C., for a scheduled lecture the following day.

A few days later, a milestone in local aviation history took place with the launch of the Boeing 247, the world's first true airliner. Unfortunately for Boeing, airlines were more enamored with Douglas Aircraft's DC-2, and the 247 never took off commercially. Boeing eventually gained high ground in the 1950s with the launch of 707. Boeing and Douglas would compete until the two aerospace companies merged in 1997.

Old Volumes, New Editions

Down by the Ocean: This week marks the anniversaries of three noteworthy events in Pacific County history, beginning with its formation on February 4, 1851. On February 5, 1893, South Bend residents caused a stir by forcibly transferring the county seat to their town after Oysterville refused to relinquish its grip on the county government. And lastly, on February 5, 1951, Pacific County Board of Commissioners established the Port of Chinook.

Names Set in Motion: In 1860, King County welcomed the opening of the Squak Post Office, so named for the English pronunciation of Is-qu-ah, the Indian word for snake. In 1887, the town was platted as Englewood, but in 1892 it was incorporated as Gilman in honor of the man who brought the railroad into town. A few years later, the Gilman City Council petitioned the state legislature and on February 2, 1899, both town and post office were renamed Issaquah.

In the Commotion: On February 8, 1886, James Manning Colman left his Kennydale home by rowboat to testify in front of a Seattle grand jury. The former Georgia legislator was murdered somewhere along the way by an assailant unknown. Colman's absence might have drawn more attention, had it not occurred during the aftermath of Seattle's anti-Chinese riots.

Mining Town: On February 4, 1889, the town of Roslyn incorporated in Kittitas County, only to lose that status later in the year when Washington achieved statehood and territorial incorporation laws were declared unconstitutional. The bustling mining town re-incorporated in 1890, and in 1975 it became the first town in Washington to elect an African American mayor.

Taken Down: One year after putting him into office in the 1910 election, Seattle voters recalled Mayor Hiram Gill on February 7, 1911, for his permissive attitude toward gambling and prostitution. All was forgiven three years later, when they voted him back in for two more terms.

General Strike: On February 6, 1919, industry and commerce in Seattle ground to a halt as tens of thousands of workers launched one of the nation's first general strikes. The stoppage was urged on by Anna Louise Strong in a fiery editorial in the Seattle Union Record -- at the time, America's only daily newspaper published by organized labor. The strike sputtered out by week's end, and conservative union leaders and government exploited it as a pretext to purge and prosecute radicals across America.

Howdy, Ike!: On February 3, 1940, Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower reported for duty at Fort Lewis, where he remained until the end of June 1941. Over the years, many members of Eisenhower's family have made Washington (this one, not the other one) their home.

Quote of the Week

There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.

                      --Andrew Carnegie

Image of the Week

Friday Harbor incorporated on February 2, 1909.