1920 - 1921 - 1922 - 1923 - 1924 - 1925 - 1926 - 1927 - 1928 - 1929 - 1930 - 1931 - 1932 - 1933 - 1934 - 1935 - 1936 - 1937 - 1938 - 1939 - 1940 - 1941 - 1942 - 1943 - 1944 - 1945
1920
- Highway from Center to Vashon Heights completed -$185,000 cost
- Burton Fire three buildings burned.
- Vashon Development League formed boosters
- Fire destroys remains of Raeco Raecolite (linoleum) plant on Maury
- Theo Berry Postmaster at Dockton 1920-1948.
- North End Transfer Co, organized
- Island Transfer of Portage organize
- Telephone service at Burton
January -
- Baptist Youth organization purchases land from Miles hatch on Burton Peninsula
February -
- Dockton Codfish plant very busy
- Harbor Navigation Co. (Dockton) employes 150 men plan to order 2nd shi
May -
- May 15,1920 Tahlequah-Point Defiance ferry service begins
1921
- Memorial Monument (veterans) erected at Vashon Cemetery.
- Celebration at Tahlequah U.S. Government relinquishes military reserve to 52 squatters settle there
- Opposition to moving ferry from Seattle to Fauntleroy
- Vashon farmers win prizes L.C. Beall 1st and Frank Gilbert 3rd in egg laying contest George Sheffield 1st in dahlia show
- Standard Oil builds supply station near Portage Ferry Dock
- Submarine power cable to Island steam plant eliminated
- Martinolich Hotel sold to Dockton School District becomes Dockton School
January -
- Charles Deppman builds new garage and storage building on main street just north of the hotel.
- Martinolich Hotel sold to Dockton School District becomes Dockton School
July -
- Miss Meda Noble appointed principal of Burton grade school
August-
- Dr. F.A. McMurray started Vashon practice August 19. 1921
October-
- L.C. Beall Jr. of Vashon purchases 2 cockerals for $750 to enhance the stock on his 11 acre, 3,000 hen farm.
September -
- Portage-Des Moines Ferry discontinued by King County
1922
- Strawberry maggot infestation.
- First Island Burns Nicht celebrated
- South end ferry starts service “City of Tacoma” Tahlequah, Pt. Defiance, Gig Harbor
- “Birth of a Nation” plays at Island Theater.
- South end forest fire, burn for 3 months Tahlequah to Camp Sealth, Colvos to Quartermaster
- All black current bushes destroyed to stop white pine blister rot
- Puget Sound Power and Light buys Washington Coast Utilities controls
Island phones and power - 1922 to 1970 (with a few interruptions around World War II) the Virginia V carried girls to and from Seattle to Camp Sealth on Vashon Island for the Camp Fire Girls.
- Theo Berry builds current Dockton Store building
- F.E. Gilbert’s 5 hens break worlds record laying 1,421 eggs in one year sold hens for $2,000
January -
- Petition to pave Vashon Highay from Burton to Heights
March -
- Virginia V launched at Maplewood, WA March 9
May -
- Dockton Hotel burns May 23
August -
- Rain breaks 80 day drought
December -
- Christmas storm, cuts power, shuts north end highway, damages Tahlequah Dock
- Theo Berry builds current Dockton Store building
1923
- Beall Greenhouse switch from coal to oil.
- February Blizzard week long 3 foot drifts
- Vashon State Bank robbed - $6,687
- Strawberry Festival planned - Melissa Jaynes 1st Vashon Strawberry Queen (101 years old)
- Vashon-Maury Island Pioneer and Historical Association formed
- Standard Oil leases former Portage ferry dock (Tramp Harbor Pier)
- Steen Mill moves to Ellisport takes over old Fuller Mill
- Colvos Store built King County Landmark Building
- Cove Norwegian Methodist Church built
- Vashon Marketing Association farmers sold 200 tons of strawberries at 5-cents per pound. 100 barrels of currants, 80 barrels of loganberries at 7-cents per pound, 700 barrels of raspberries at 10-cents per pound
- Estimated 150,000 laying hens on Vashon, 35,000 cases of eggs shipped off Island
June -
- Tahlequah ferry run cut from 3 runs per day to 2
- 10 WW I veterans meet to plan organizing an American Legion Post for the Island
November -
- Gilbert Poultry farm and Rosebank farm joined to combine egg producing plant and hatchery.
December -
- Commercial Club campaigns for a slogan for Vashon-Maury Island
- Electricity extended north from Vashon school to Fields Corner
1924
- Luana Beach named Lodge opened
- Strawberry Festival 2,500 attend At Ellisport
- Elections - Coolidge (R) 523, Davis (D) 51, LaFollette (P) 318
- 3 telephone operators, no service 10 PM to 8 AM
- Japanese Immigration stopped - State anti-Japanese laws passed
- Portage-Dockton Road built parallel to shoreline
- Zarth Garage Building constructed at Center
- Vashon Island Transportation Co. organized for bus transportation to Island
- Island Nurseries have 4 acres of dahlias growing
1925
- King County appropriates $125,000 to build road from Burton to Magnolia
- Ferry route begins runs to Fauntleroy and Seattle (Marion St. Dock)
Lisabeula School destroyed by fire - Professor Meany from UW speaks on Discovery Day (May 29th day Vancouver named Vashon Island)
- Water District 19 formed
- All night telephone service begins
- Burton-Magnolia Road completed
- Mark P. Waterman Lodge No. 177 of the Free and Accepted Masons buy Burton Woodmen of the World building (1884) for lodge
- Captain Thomas Phillips House built, 11312 SW 232nd Street, Burton
King County Landmark Building - Feb 20, Lisabeula School burns - Third Lisabeula School built just to south
of 2nd school - July 22 Vashon College property sold to Catherine Craig intended to convert buildings to a sanitarium
- King County appropriates $125,000 to build road from Burton to Magnolia
January -
- Electric cable to Vashon breaks Island and 1,000 residents without electricity for 5 days - Ocean going tug Roosevelt tied up at old ferry dock (modern fishing pier) between Portage and Ellisport to generate electricity with its 200 hp steam engine - The Roosevelt took Admiral Peary north to where he then took sleds to the North Pole in 1909
- Rev. C.H. Howard tendered his resignation as pastor after serving the church at Lisabeula for four years. Failing health was cited as the reason.
- Bert S. Murley takes over as General Manager of Kitsap County Transportation Company. (NEED TO RELATE HOW THIS IS IMPORTANT TO VASHON - KCTC SERVED THE NORTHEND ROUTE)
- Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Beall, Sr celebrate golden anniversary.
- Axel Petersen has taken charge of his brother’s business (P.A. Peterson, recently deceased) at the Cove mill and eggery business.
- E. J. Mace the Vashon automotive doctor has added to his “office” front a fine overhanging roof which will allow cars to be fed and watered without exposing the owners to the weather. C. J. Olson of Burton did the job.
- The Burton Public Library reports having a banner year in 1924. They now have about 1,300 volumes, including quite a number of reference books.
- Pete Bertleson had the bad luck to have chicken thieves break into his chicken house last week and steal 35 of his fine laying hens. We used to think our island was safe from petty thievery, but of late there is lots of it going on, as another Mr. Smith’s house was broken into and groceries and other things taken, also near Crosses Landing.
- Manson’s pile driver was doing repair work on the pontoon at the Portage ferry dock which was torn loose in the recent East wind. The work is finished.
- Vashon State Bank reported assets of $234,102 as of 12/31/24. “Safe and sound” with abundance of funds to care for all legitimate Island needs.
- The lack of power has crippled the sand and gravel output of our local gravel pit. The only available power being from 11 pm until 6:30 am.
- Mr. Merry has his men busy this week graveling the road between Mileta and Maury center.
- The Kingsbury Co. is busy putting in the fills at Kellogg’s corner. Perhaps soon now the direct road from Mileta to Portage will be open.
- The electric cable connecting Vashon Island with the mainland having been repaired, it is hoped, that normal service will be restored during the week. New cable ordered and with two Mainland connections Vashon Island will cope with Tacoma and Seattle.
- A D. Kingsbury celebrated his 54th wedding anniversary. Has lived on the island for 36 years.
- C. A. Barton, father of Mrs. Maloney, celebrated his 75th birthday at his daughter’s Lisabeula home “Olympic View”.
- Frank Kneebone of Lisabeula was appointed as Baliff to the newly elected judge, Malcom Douglas.
- Ad: HAUGAN & LONEY TAILORS (Pacific Ave, Tacoma) High Grade Custom Tailoring “An Island Man” George Loney, Pres. H.O. Haugen, Sec.-Treas.
- Vashon State Bank elects directors for 1925. T. Hansen, L.C.Beall, Jr., and C.F. Van Olinda.
- The grocery store at Colves which has hitherto been conducted by Parker and Trones has changed hands and is now owned and operated exclusively by Mr. Trones.
- Burton High School Freshman and Sophomore classed took part in the Temperance Day Program.
- Mr. Woody and Mr. Morrill were nominated for Southern Heights school director at a school meeting held at the Morrill home.
- Mathew Bridges turned ninety-seven years of age. He has lived on Vashon Island more than fifty years.
- Vernie Siverson met with a serious accident. In turning the corner as you go to the store at Cove his auto skidded, throwing him into the ditch, breaking off two wheels.
- Cephas Ramquist of the Rosebank Hatchery at Cove set 4,000 plus eggs. Getting from 85 to 95% first hatchings from the eggs.
- Earl Watson is the new tonsorial artist at the Rodda Meat Market.
- The Vashon Senior Class presented the play “Cinderella at College”
- George Takasuka sailed to his old home in Japan. This is his first visit for 18 years.
- Whooping cough is going the rounds of the island.
- Commercial Club elects officers: Emil H. Miller, President; Mrs. W. D. Covington, Vice President’; W Coy Meredith, Secretary; W. C. Whitfield, Treasurer
- The Vashon girls’ basketball team hung up what is believed to be a record, when they outplayed the Georgetown Girls Club team with a score of 17 to 21 at Georgetown.
- Ellisport: The flowering bulbs are up three or four inches and Mrs. Newman has snow drops coming into bloom. The buds on the shrubs and trees are swelling and already there is a scent of spring in the air.
February -
- Feb 20, 2nd Lisabeula School burns - Third Lisabeula School built just to south of 2nd school
July -
- July 22 - Vashon College property sold to Catherine Craig - intended to convert buildings to a sanitarium
1926
- Hugh fir stump removed from Vashon Town burn over 1 week
- Community Home - $1,000 raised to buy old Vashon School for community center
- Auto drives off Lisabeula pier - 2 drown 5 saved
- Governor Hartley speaks on island to packed auditorium
- A.T. Bacchus opens lumberyard
- Vashon Hour radiobroadcast on station KFOA
- New movie house opens - refurbished Vashon Theater becomes a “Movie House”
- September - Bethel Church founded
- Golgotha Lutheran Free Church built at Colvos (2011, Hauvrat Ee Shalom Synagogue in 2010)
- Volunteer Fire Department formed at Vashon
- Matthew Bridges - first permanent resident dies at age 98
- Masa Mukai (age 15) buys 40 acres of land (parents could not because Anti-Japanese laws prevents Issei from owning land) - Mukai Cold Process Fruit Barreling Plant built - House and gardens built
- Strawberry Festival held at Vashon School grounds (now Ober Park)
- Vashon Water District constructs Vashon system - followed by Vashon Heights and Island Mutual (Ellisport)
1927
- 6 telephone operators, 600 subscribers
- Kimmel’s Store opens in new building on the SE corner of the main intersection of Vashon Town
- YMCA Building remodeled into Vashon Theater to show sound movie Water District 19 installs mains and fire hydrants in Vashon Town
January -
- F.W. Shaw opens pharmacy at Burton in Hatch Building
March -
- Puyallup Land Claims Case - Lucy Slagham Gerand, S’Homamish Elder testifies about villages on Vashon Island March 23
July -
- Theo Berry installs a Frigidaire in the Dockton store - carries meat, ice cream, and other perishables
1928
- Island votes for “Union High School” - to have one island high school
- Seattle-Tacoma Interurban closed auto competition
- Soda-acid chemical fire truck purchased for $700, 1,000 gallon fire truck purchased
- Seattle Exchange Club purchases Ellsworth Ranch and donates it to
Goodwill to operate as Goodwill Farm for indigent men - Indians (Native Americans) gain right to vote - Congress makes them citizens
July -
- July 16 , 12:18 AM. Meteorite lights up night sky and hits near Blake Island -crew of ferry Kitsap at Heights notes hit Battleship Idaho at Bremerton notes in log - sonic boom and large waves result
September -
- Dr, Grandy to open hospital at Burton for minor surgery and maternity located in building where Morrissey’s Market and Burton Cafe were (Hatch Building)
- Mrs. F.W. Bibbins (Lucy May Cristman) one of early pioneers dies - moved to
Vashon in 1887 - Indians (Native Americans) gain right to vote Congress makes them citizens
December -
- Agnes Smock succeeds her husband Monroe Smock as editor of the “Vashon Island News-Record”
1929
- King County budgets $21,000 for island roads, $10,000 for westside, $5,000 Burton to Tahlequah
- DAR dedicates cemetery wall
- Vashon Golf Course opened
- Vashon Hardware Co. opened
- Celebration of opening new Judd Creek Bridge
- First “museum” Vashon Hardware displays “Relics of Pioneer Days”
- 75 boats from Inter-Club Yacht Clubs rendezvous at Quartermaster Harbor
- Island votes to build “Union High School”
- Cement company develops 80-acre pit on Maury Island
- Mutual Water System organized in Ellisport
- West Side Water System organized
January -
- Lucy Gerand - S’Homamish Elder dies January 7 , 1836-1929 - Grave marker placed on her grave in Vashon Cemetery on Friday February 22, 2008. T.T, Waterman informant for “Puget Sound Geography” Testified in 1927 Puyallup land Claims case
June -
- Janet G launched at Dockton
October -
- Wall Street Crash - beginning of Great Depression
November -
- Ellisport road straightened - hidden curve removed
1930
- Ferry Vashon launched - serves Harper-Vashon-Seattle
- Philipino workers in fight - cabins dynamited
- Vashon Golf Course opens
- Vashon gets its first X-Ray machine
- Japanese-American citizens organize Vashon Island Progressive Citizens League
- Schwartz-Bell House built - Ellisport - Depression Style pole frame log
building - King County Landmark Building - Main Street of Vashon paved
February -
- Vashon school buses cannot serve Colvos because of bad roads - only to Cove Church - students must walk 2 miles
June -
- First “Union High School” graduation 37 graduate - largest number ever
October -
- Vashon street lights installed - 12 lights on iron poles
1931
- Japanese-American citizens donate 100 cherry trees to new high school
- Construction of new North end dock
- Goodwill Farm on island run by Goodwill Industries
- Smith Airplane Co. building airplanes on island
- First night school on Vashon - 30 enrolled
February -
- Lisabeula Post Office closed Feb 23
July -
- Disastrous strawberry season, wet and cold “this leaves - growers in bad conditions financially.”
1932
- Burton-Tahlequah Road built
- Vashon-Maury Island vote for Democratic Presidential candidate for first time - Hoover 534, Roosevelt 704
- King County cuts deputy sheriff from Vashon
August -
- Pioneer Society of Vashon-Maury annual picnic at Center. 50 attend
1933
- National “Bank Holiday” called by FDR Local bank in excellent condition
- High school teachers have pay warrents reduced 20%
- Cemetery cleaned by 10 welfare workers - welfare work paid at 45cents/hour
- Meetings to break away from King Co and form a separate county from Seattle/King County
- Mukai Garden featured in Christian Science Monitor article
- Vashon featured in radio speech
- Sportsman Club drive to destroy feral cats - protect birds and poultry
- Island merchants pledge to support National Recovery Administration (NRA) policies
- Major forest fire - Paradise Valley to Lisabuela
- Island Democratic Club formed
- Daylight Savings Time at north end, south end retains Standard Time.
- Vashon Island Women’s Club from Burton “Two to Four Club” and join National Federation of Women’s Clubs.
January -
- Rod and Gun Club formed - later named Sportsman Club
April -
- Vashon fire April 16, half of downtown Vashon burns - England Peterson Lumber Co. and Middling Hotel lost
- Tim Clarke gives ice cream away to children with own spoons, no electricity after fire April 17
August -
- Vashon votes “wet” to repeal 18th Amendment - 403 for, 313 against
- Mr. and Mrs. B.D. Mukai invite island young people to a dance at the cannery building to honor their son Masa and his new bride
November -
- Plan to develop lobster beds in QM harbor- employment for 100-200 men
December -
- 100 men register for federal employment with the Civil Works Adm. - Estimated that $10,000 available for work program in the Island.
1934
- Japanese Society present program at high school
- Elmer Stone killed saving fellow worker from gravel pit collapse at Ellisport Hill
- High School levy passes to continue 9 month school
January -
- Civil Works Administration has 12 more men working - total of 92 on island - above the quota of 80
July -
- Fishing boat Umatilla of Dockton wrecked off Neah Bay - 2 killed, Lauritz
Halsan and John Usorac -Captain Lucas Plancich in command. - The battleship USS Arizona collided with the private fishing vessel Umatilla off the coast of Neah Bay, Washington, on July 26, 1934. The collision split the Umatilla in half, and two of its crew drowned. The captain of the Arizona underwent a ourt martialc, where the blame for the crash was placed upon him.
- On July 26, 1934, at approximately 2:00 a.m., on a clear and moonlit night, the Battleship U.S.S. Arizona rams the purse seiner Umatilla and slices it in two off Cape Flattery, killing two fishermen. A Navy Court of Inquiry will fault the captain of the battleship for "culpable inefficiency in the performance of duty" (Record of Court of Inquiry).
- The 52-foot Umatilla was owned by Peter Petrich of Dockton on Maury Island. The fishing boat was traveling northwest in the Pacific Ocean approximately two miles off Cape Flattery near the Tatoosh lighthouse ahead of another seiner, the Emblem. The Arizona overtook the Emblem generally from astern at 14 knots. When a collision with the Emblem appeared imminent, the captain of the Arizona ordered the ship's whistle sounded and the Emblem turned to port. The Arizona missed the Emblem by about 50 yards, but rammed the Umatilla in the stern, cutting it in two. Crewmen Lauritz Halsan and John Urosac were killed, and seven crewmen were fished out of the water by the crew of the Emblem.
October -
- October 21, 1934, a severe Pacific storm swept through the Puget Sound. 85 mph winds - trees down, power out, ferries suspended. The Virginia V was attempting to dock at Ollala, Washington, when the brunt of the storm hit. The powerful winds pushed the ship against the dock as the waves pounded the ship into the pilings. The result was the near destruction of the upper decks. The ship was re-built at the Lake Washington Shipyard at Houghton, near modern day Kirkland, Washington. She was returned to service on December 5, 1934.
1935
- Oyster Farm started at Tahlequah - 35,000 Japanese oysters
- Dock at Tahlequah wired for electricity
- Oliver Van Olinda writing history of Vashon
- S.S. Harry Luckenbach runs aground between Pt. Robinson and Fernheath
- Vashon receives $11,000 PWA finds - build service building, road barn, Jail at Center
- Ferry Strike - 15 days - temporary ferry service at north end by “Verona”
- Vashon Sand and Gravel develop gravel mine on Maury Island
1936
- Last GAR Civil War veteran dies - C.A. Barton
- Ferry “Kalakala” takes islanders on excursion
- KVI opens transmitter at Ellisport
- Ferry service from Quartermaster to Tacoma suspended, restarted
- Ferry Service Improvement Association formed supports state run Ferries
- Vashon Park Association purchases 23 acres for park at Dockton for $1,300 - Vashon-Maury Park formed at Dockton
- First aerial survey of Vashon-Maury Island by Pacific Aerial Surveys, Inc.
March -
- 33 WPA workers build Dockton Park under direction of Theo Berry - also construct Piano Row sidewalk
June -
- June 25, 1936 - KVI 5000 watt tower approved for Point Heyer location , the McClintock Homestead at Ellisport , ultra-modern concrete transmitter building and 435 foot antenna
July -
- Dockton Park dedicated July 12 - deeded to King County
November -
- FDR wins island - 751 to 510
1937
- Olympic Berry Company formed to develop Olympic berry developed by Hallack Grieden of Center
- Vashon Japanese Association celebrates 30th Anniversary
- Two children killed by car at Center - calls for traffic controls
- Ferry Strike - county runs emergency service with “Washington”
- Tahlequah holds dock party to thank Washington navigation Co. for not striking
- Department of Public Service holds hearing and submits report about ferry service - Vashon ferry service should not be considered independent of other Puget Sound ferry service
- Property Record Cards were created beginning in 1937, when the Assessor's Office contracted with the Work Projects Administration (WPA) to create a baseline survey of all the property in King County, and was kept current through 1972. The Property Record Cards provide a cumulative history describing each parcel of real property in King County, including legal description of property, building use, number of rooms, some construction details, and, for improved property, at least one photograph. Additional photographs were taken if extensive changes were made to the exterior of the building. The cards also show the assessed value of the property for the period ca. 1937 to 1972.
1938
- Protest against toll booth in center of Heights dock - later removed
- Caterpillar infestation on island
- State Department of Health warns against eating Puget Sound mussels
- Vashon votes against “Public Utility District Bill” 355 to 806 - bill would have created King Co. Utility District - public power - fear of higher taxes and higher utility costs
- American Legion Post formed
- Met-Cro Garage wins bid to supply new 52 passenger school bus
March -
- The George McCormick “Walk-Around-The-Island” March 23
October -
- Yankee Boy misses trip for first time because of mechanical failure - run between Point Defiance, Point Dalco, and Spring Beach
1939
- Robbery Gang arrested on Vashon woman and five boys looted 15 homes and dance hall
- Ferry Poll - islanders prefer Fauntleroy over Seattle because morefrequent service (1.5 hour vs 2 hour service)
- Vashon wins Washington Prep Invitational Basketball Meet
- Virginia V seized by U.S. Marshals - Westside without service
- Frank Plum return to island from fighting with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade for Loyalists against Fascists in Spain
- “Mukai Gardens at Height of Beauty”
- King County reconstructs Tramp Harbor Pier
- Pt. Robinson park being developed road down hill, clay slopes pulled down to fill in swamp
- WPA project -38 men surveying island - establishing section lines
- Ferry Strike - 22 days - King County puts “Washington” on emergency service
- Forest fires burn on island - 2 days at Heights, 2 days at Rosehilla, 1 month at Pt. Robinson
- 50 lb Tyee Salmon caught at Tahlequah - ling cod running 30-50 lbs
- Merchants close on Friday for Vashon-Bainbridge football game
August 2
- 200 islanders try to seize ferry Vashon on last run before strike. 30 boarded and were taken as the ferry pulled out August 2 then Island Men seize ferry “Elwaha” to prevent it from leaving and stranding the island - vigilante action to keep ferry service if needed
1940
- King County reports Vashon has 175 miles of roads, 40 miles oiled, 8 miles
concrete pavement - English children sent to Vashon to escape Blitz
- Federal Arbiter grants ferry pay increase - assures no strikes until
Dec 1, 1941 - New Ellisport water system completed
- Six chicken farms remain on Island, 1,000-4,000 hens
- Year ‘Round vs Summer Population estimates
Vashon Heights 200 25 Cedarhurst, Biloxi, Sylvan Beach 100 49 Cove 400 300 Harbor Heights, Shawnee 50 10 Newport, Burton, Burton Peninsula 500 250 Glen Acres, Beall, Dilworth 225 150 Camp Sealth 125 4
January -
- Burton Hotel sold, to be remodeled into apartments
- American legion post organized
February -
- David Scheere appoint to West Point by Congressman Magnussen
- George McCormick purchases Vashon Hardware - manager for 11 years
- First social and business function at new Sportsman’s Club
- Japan Association and Japanese Mother’s Club donate $48 to American Legion
ambulance find - Schools closed for 5 days makeups on Saturdays
- Field surveys for cross-sound bridge begins
April -
- KIRO to build 10,000 watt transmitter and towers on Vashon - $150,000 station on Maury Island at John McIntosh farm and Kingsbury estate - most powerful radio station in the PNW
- Meeting to form Fire District April 6
June -
- Ken Yorioka and Chiyiko Chikata married at Yorioka home by Rev. T. Ichikawa of the Seattle Buddhist church - reception at Island Club - 200 guests
- South Island residents ask for improved service at Tahlequah - Washington Navigation Co wants 12-hour not 17-hour service
- KIRO erects tower on Maury - June 29 begins broadcasting
July -
- Beulah Park Institute and Camp Meeting expects 150 attendees
November -
- Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapses November 7 - Ferry service at Tahlequah curtailed and ferries put on Gig Harbor - Pt. Defiance run to replace bridge
1941
- Ferry operators and union sign 3 year agreement
- Ferry Hearings - disparities between N and S end fares
- Bethel park formed by Pacific Northwest District of the Evangelical Free Church
- KIRO opens transmitter - 15 employees to island
- Parking lot at N end built - road down to dock
- Vashon gears up for war - Women’s Auxiliary of Emergency Defense Commission formed, Civilian Fire Defense Force formed, mock air raid drills held
- Island votes to form single school district - only Columbia against
January -
- Road Committee of the Vashon Island Commercial Club proposes road program for Vashon Maury Island - 13 proposals and 7 oiling recommendations
- Vashon Island Facts - 13 miles long; 3-4 miles wide; population 3,069; 23,000 acres; 54 miles of beaches
Agriculture - 2,000 acres small fruit- loganberries, pie cherries, currents,
gooseberries, boysenberries, peaches and grapes
Poultry - 50,000 hens, 72,000 eggs/month
Improvements - 1,500 homes, assessed valuation $1,250,000
Roads - 175 miles, 40 miles oiled, 8 miles concrete paved - Axel Petersen presents five-point plan for fire district January 22
February -
- Feb 4 - FCC grants KIRO permit to operate
- Inland Boatman’s Union and Puget Sound Navigation Co (Blackball) agree to 3-year contract, no strikes or service stoppages
- Blackball doubles service at Vashon Heights and Fauntleroy
- Washington Navigation Co (Skansonia) may lose permit because of poor service at South End
March -
- Public meeting at Burton with Department of Public Service about poor ferry service at Tahlequah
- Vashon Ferry Committee keeps pressure on State and Washington Navigation Co.
- Conflicts over mail service - West Side and Ollala/Frangaria
April -
- Mukai garden featured in TNT - attributes garden to Mr. Mukai
May -
June -
- Hourly service for Tahlequah - delights South End patrons - M.F. Fox Island - Black Ball takes over the franchise - Calvin Reeves new agent - M.V. Crosline - 45 cars - will make 18 round trip each day
- KIRO on the air
- Debate over Dockton Park - asset or liability?
July -
August -
- Heights parking lot construction begins - 2 lots purchased - one by the Commercial Club, one by the County
- PTA sponsors Tea party at Mukai Gardens to raise funds for high school lunchroom
September -
- 7,000 rare orchids from England housed at Beall Greenhouses with orchid expert Ferguson Beall to kee them secure during the War
October -
- Mock air raids test rediness
November -
- Mock warfare tests Civilian defense
- Paul Billingsley develops “Animated Defensograph” to illustrate how civilians fit into the national defense program -
December -
- Dec 7 - Attack on Pearl Harbor - War with Japan declared
- Dec 10 - high school assembly to hear FDR’s speech asking for declaration of War - Mr. Ostrom asks for tolerance of Japanese classmates
- Editorial in Vashon Island News-Record - Respecting Japanese nisie - calls for calm and good behavior - Agnus Smock editor
- Lisabeula School converted to Red Cross casualty station
1942
- Seattle Post Intelligencer article - Government statistics show Vashon produces about 26% of county strawberries
- Air Raid Observation Posts set up, Air Raid drills held
- Bus service to Tacoma begins
- KIRO closes facilities and grounds to visitors
- Paul Billingsley appointed head of island Civil Defense
- War efforts - scrap iron drive, copper drive, price ceilings set, tires rationed, fuel rationed, coffee rationed, blackout regulations enforced
- Japanese-American Club of Vashon Island publishes “The Creed of the Japanese-American”
- Maurice Dunsford takes over Mukai and Son Packing Plant
- Betty MacDonald moves to Dolphin Point, Vashon
- The West Pass Transportation Company goes out of business. The Virginia V, which had been operating for a while on the Seattle-Fort Worden run, was transferred to the Columbia River, where for a brief time she was placed on the Portland-Astoria run, thus becoming the last scheduled passenger vessel running on both Puget Sound and the Columbia River.
January -
- Vashon School District # 402 formed Vashon-Maury has a single district for the entire island Jan 1
- High school training on medical care, air raids, and home blackouts
- School on Saturdays to shorten school year -so can work in agriculture because of expected war labor shortages - school board votes no
- Japanese students organize plan to support war effort - Dan Sakahara, president, Frank Matsumoto 1st VP, Mrs. Yukichi Nishiyori 2nd VP, Mary Matsuda, secretary, Daigo Tagami treasurer, Kn Yorioka auditor
- County Commissioner Archie Phelps indicates no new road construction during the War
- Community garden planned - Masa Mukai assists in plan - Japanese volunteer labor
- “G-Men Raid Island Aliens”
February -
- County approves vote on Fire District in March
- February 12 - “G-Men Raid Island Aliens”
- Seattle P-I features Vashon Civil Defense as “model for the entire community” - Paul Billingsley Commissioner for Civil defense for Vashon Island
March -
- Japanese-American Club of Vashon Island publishes “The Creed of the Japanese-American”
- Election to select Fire Commissioners - March 24 - George McCormick, Ferguson Beall, Harry Robbins, Charles Van Olinda, Norman Edson, Coy Meredith elected
- Election to form King County Fire Protection District March 26 - Fire District approved 429-4 - County purchases fire truck for the island
April -
- Daigo Togami VHS Valdictorian - may not be able to give address
May -
- VHS baseball - Japanese team vs Picked Team - Japanese win 7-1
- May 14 - Japanese Boy Scouts given Troop 495 flag - will form branch troop when evacuated
- Orders to evacuate Vashon Japanese on Saturday May 16
- May 16 - Second Relocation - Island Japanese interned - 126 leave island - 300 friends see them off - Executive Order 9066 - VHS 16 students leave - 4 seniors including Valedictorian Daigo Togami
- Don Matsumoto of Japanese-American Club expressed thanks for many opportunities at VHS - Japanese students may be reached at Pinedale Assembly center, Pinedale California
- West Side protests closing of Columbia School
- Editorial to make Indian pickers feel welcome - they are needed
- Storm maroons 25 at Spring Beach
- Vashon ready if Japs come
- Seattle P-I features Vashon preparedness - 946 trained to respond
June -
- Strawberry pickers needed - many in defense jobs and military
- Passenger ferry service from Dockton to Tacoma on MV Yankee Boy - June 28
July -
August -
- Former Burton HS modified to create an 8-room elementary school - students from former Dockton and Center school will attend Burton
- Vashon College students hold reunion - 50th anniversary of founding
September -
- School enrollment - VHS 199, Burton 208, Vashon 156, Columbia 69
October -
- Near collision of ferry and Coast Guard boat
- First official meeting of Fire District 13
November -
- Observer post dedicated by Cove observers
December -
- North End parking lot opens
- Water in fuel tank delays South End ferry
1943
- New income tax law
- War efforts - shoes rationed, meat rationed, War Loan drives, paper drives
- Editorial “Leave the Japs Where They Are” - new editor in charge
- Island Observation Posts closed - Army Fighter Command takes over
- Office of Price Administration set price of wood at $13.50 per cord
- Colvos Store opened in 1923 closes because rationing made goods unavailable
January -
- 18-inch snow fall paralyses Island - blocks highway, knocks out power Coast Artillery Unit stationed here helps move supplies
- Tahlequah ferry service disrupted - South Enders irate
February -
- Tahlequah ferry damaged by irate passengers
March -
- Incidences of lawlessness increasing - fires set, pocketbooks taken at dance, - need another deputy
April -
- Severe Storm - much damage - ferry service disrupted - Four boys drown fifth saved when boat capsized in storm - April 26
May -
- State Patrolman wanted on Island two-days per week
September -
- The Alibi restaurant sold by Harmelings after 7 years to Cummings and Smyth
October -
November -
- Ellisport Women’s Improvement Club sponsor waste paper drive
December -
- Bethel Evangelical Free Church dedicate new building
- Burton Grade School PTA holds paper drive for hot lunch program
1944
- Vashon Theater changes hands - C.G. Kimmel and Art Larson new owners
- Road west of Tahlequah blockaded by property owners
- As war reaches peak numerous island men killed or missing in action
- Vashon Island News Record sold by Smock to Garber
- Ferry Vashonia runs aground at Tahlequah in fog
- Hebert family buys Goodwill farm and operates it as a boarding house
January -
- Victory buses - Louis Rodda run ex-school bus to Boeing from Fauntleroy - 22 workers first shift workers
March -
- Library opens March 6 - Vashon Island Branch - King County Library
- Drive to build new Library - $6,000 raised for building
April -
May -
- Episcopal Church reopens on Vashon at rented Lutheran Church
June -
- Path dispute at Tahlequah - path west of dock barricaded off west of ferry dock - first time in three decades - summons served on C.D. Cullen, E.L. Simcox, D.B. Cook, C.G. Huhn, Jr.-
July -
- Orange “Victory Farm Worker” badges - 546 board Quinault to pick cherry, currants, and loganberries on Vashon - earn $10-12 per day - Farm Labor Board
August -
- Lights installed at Heights parking lot
- Vashon-Tacoma bus service begins - 3 round trip per day - 2 on Sunday
September -
- 635 students in Vashon schools - 233 at Burton, 240 at Vashon, 162 at high school
- New News-Record editor - Philip Garber “we are Republicans in belief”
October -
- School levy of 7 mils to buy new school bus
November -
- Lt. Thomas Bacchus killed in action - Pacific
- FDR wins island election for third time
December -
- Vashonia ferry at Tahlequah runs aground in thick fog and rip tides
- Ellisport store opens - Jimmy Klonas owner
- Dockton School (former Martinolich Hotel) sold to Theo Berry - becomes berry cannery
1945
January -
- “Yes Mr. Wallgren” - Editorial in News-Record - supports Gov. Wallgren’s opposition of the return of Japanese to the Pacific Coast
- William Markham, 1883 settler dies
- Lt. Einar Moe killed
- F.W. Shaw sells Burton Pharmacy to Robert Barrett
February -
- Lt. Douglas “Lad” Bacchus killed in air crash on way home on furlough
- Memorial service for Lt. Thomas Bacchus and Lt. Douglas “Lad” Bacchus
- Henry Brosseau owner of Heights Store since 1919 dies
March -
- Corp. Hans Hermansen killed in action in Germany - holder of Bronze Star and Purple Heart
- Pvt. Robert Shumway killed in Phillipines
April -
- Naval ban on night cruising in Quartermaster Harbor lifted
- S/Sgt. Milton Walls awarded Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement
- Red Cross drive raises $2,678.75
- Cpl. Lester Sundberg awarded Bronze Star for Heroic Action in Germany
- Vashon builds new water tower
May -
- Mrs. Marie LaBallister, 79, first white ride on Vashon dies
- May 10 - Construction of new Memorial Library begins
- Plans and fund drive for Veterans’ Recreational Center begun
- Bond Drive reaches $50,000 - Dockton lads communities
- Tahlequah dedicates new Fire Hall
June -
- Lt. Harold Agren, Prisoner of War in Phillipines dies
July -
- Proposal to zone Vashon - increased population
- Proposed Community Building as Memorial to veterans - Veterans Memorial Foundation formed - John Ober, Vice-President
- Vashon Post Office advanced to second-class rating
- Beattie’s Cafe sold to Harry Bittrick
- Bruce Sherman killed in auto accident
August -
- 2-hour parking limit adopted for Vashon Town
- Veterans’ Memorial Foundations selects old Community Club as site for Memorial Hall (old Vashon School - now Ober Park)
- All fire permits cancelled because of dry weather
- Lt. Jack Peterson awarded Distinguished Service Citation
- Lt. Albert Campbell awarded Bronze Star
- Lt. Thomas Bacchus posthumously awarded Air Medal
September -
- Commercial Club, Post-War Committee proposed airport for Vashon
- Tahlequah, Burton and Dockton Fire Halls dedicated by
Vashon Fireman’s Association - Old Southern Heights School sold
- Edward Slagle and Jules Beasley released from Japanese POW camps
- Robert Wilber awarded Bronze Star
- Work started on larger Bacchus Building
- High School students hold County Fair
- Tahlequah Fire Department saves loaded truck
- Vashon Tavern looted by burglars
October -
- School enrollment 656
- Burton Peninsula proposed as site for U.S. Naval Academy on the West Coast
- 100 Quartermaster residents protests ships moored in Harbor at Portage - 8 Army Transport Service vessels
- Earl Brammer awarded Bronze Star
- Captain John Manson pioneer steamboat captain dies
- Army moors surplus ships in Quartermaster Harbor over citizen protests
- Capt. Clyde Smith makes Tokyo-Washington flight
- Surfine Market sold to Edward Slagle
November -
- Yukichi Nishiyori and family and Mother return to ranch west of Vashon
- Henry Hoshi visiting friends on Island
- Petersen Feed and Lumber sold to Holert and Murray
- Office of Price Administration office closes
- Amaranth Court organized with 48 members
- Army removes surplus ships from Quartermaster Harbor
December -
- Charles Roediger and Ralph Jacobson rescue two fishermen from drowning
- Coast Guard Auxillary organized for Island
- School Board rejects bids for Columbia School property
- Margie’s Cafe sold to Burlingame and Livesay