125 years ago
May 27, 1892
The contract for the erection of the First National Bank building, of Montesano, was let yesterday morning to Mr. F. E. Tompkins of this city, for $2,670.
Work will be commenced immediately and pushed forward as rapidly as possible, as the contract calls for the completion of the building by July 15. The plan is for a structure twenty-five by sixty-six feet on the ground, thirty-two feet from the sidewalk to the top of cornice. The lower story is to be fourteen feet, the upper, twelve in the clear; plate-glass front, metal cornices and trimmings over windows. The inside finish of windows and doors is to be pilaster molding, and the building is to be finished with adamant plaster inside.
The bank is to occupy the front of the lower story, with director’s room just back. On the D St. side will be two fine offices. Upstairs there will be only two rooms finished off at present, but there will be room for three more offices when there shall be call for them.
100 years ago
May 25, 1917
Preliminary steps for the organization of a Red Cross Chapter in Montesano were taken at meetings held Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon at Red Cross headquarters in the Connor building on Main Street, and a permanent organization was effected and officers named to have charge of the work.
The work of organization was commenced at a meeting held Monday evening at which the first executive committee was named by a special nominating committee. This executive committee met Tuesday afternoon and appointed the Board of Managers and the officers of the organization.
In order to stimulate interest in the work and secure members a big meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at Red Cross Headquarters. Short talks will be made by those in charge of the work and the object and working of the organization explained.
75 years ago
May 28, 1942
Thirty five men, mostly students recruited for the purpose, will be stationed in Montesano this summer as part of the emergency program to combat forest fires, it was announced here this Thursday by O.B. Wedekind, state district fire warden.
They plan to move into their Montesano quarters this Saturday. Twenty five will be housed in the former Schafer office just south of Montesano, Wedekind said, and 10 more will be in the state fire hall near the east entrance. They will be here throughout the fire season, probably several months.
To Be Trained
Most of them have had some forest training, said Wedekind, and more will be given them to prepare them for possible emergencies this summer.
“So far, the weather has been perfect so far as we are concerned,” said Wedekind, “and I hope it stays this way. At any rate, we are going to do our utmost to be prepared for any difficulty that might arise.”
Possibility of enemy action, in addition to the usual hazards, has created an emergency situation in the forest areas. Defense and forestry officials have studied the problem closely, and the stationing of the extra crew here is one result of this study.
50 years ago
May 25, 1967
An old hand at such matters, Weyerhaeuser Company, submitted the sole bids Tuesday evening on three parcels of City of Montesano-owned timberland totaling 375 acres and claimed the properties for $103,700.
In advertising the isolated parcels, located north of Monte, City Council had placed of minimums of $10,000 on the 55-acre offering and $40,000 and $50,000 on the pair of 160-acrea pieces. Weyerhaeuser met or topped these amounts with individual bids of $11,950, $41,750 and $50,000.
Mayor Lloyd Metke commented that the minimum figures were “up pretty high…and I was afraid we might not get any bids.”
Councilman Jack Mempa moved that Weyerhaeuser’s bids be accepted and his colleagues gave the motion their unanimous approval. Monte now has a full month in which to comply with the customary terms of such a sale, specified by the buyers
25 years ago
May 21, 1992
Some 55 to 60 tons of junk, a new record and twice the amount of last year, was collected during Monte Clean Up day last Sunday. About a dozen VFW members, half a dozen personnel from EGH Disposal and a handful of other volunteers worked for 12 hours collecting, separating and disposing of material.
“There was quite a pile of stuff,” said Irv Urquhart, adding the work couldn’t have been done without the volunteers. Urquhart, at a lunch put on later by the VFW Auxiliary, was given a community service plaque in recognition of more than a quarter century as chair of the VFW Clean Up Committee. There were old swing sets, bathtubs, TVs – – “everything including the kitchen sink,” said Irv.
Large freezers proved the most difficult objects to handle. Pickups, a flatbed and two trailers filled five large containers at the Park &Ride lot several times over.
“It went over pretty good,” Irv added, “though everyone was pretty tired by the end of the day.”
Dick Embry salvaged bikes to be reconditioned and donated. Much volunteer time went into just sorting bikes, metal and tires from the genuine junk.
“It was the biggest clean up ever,” said Irv, “there’ll never be another one like that.”
10 years ago
May 24, 2007
Nearly two weeks after announcing it was not renewing the contract of its transportation supervisor, the Montesano School District has begun exploring ways to “co-op” with neighboring school districts for transportation and bus mechanic services.
On Tuesday, Montesano Superintendent Marti Harruff met with Elma officials.
Afterward, she said both sides had committed to developing a cooperative transportation system and negotiations are now officially underway. She said the cuts she’s putting into place now total about $200,000 of the $290,000 goal.
Montesano has lost 83 students since this time last year. The cuts at the bus garage are only the latest in a series. In May, six reduction in force letters were sent to teachers. Administrators are foregoing pay raises.
The Montesano School Board meets at 7 tonight, May 24, and it’s expected the cuts will be outlined.
Elma Superintendent Howard King called Tuesday’s meeting a “first and very preliminary” discussion.
