Cleaning spree uncovers calendar with historic pictures

It's about time you cleaned out that closet. Look what we found: a calendar with pages of Cheney pictures in the early days. This display, from 1889 to 1989, celebrated Washington State Centennial with the Cheney Tilicum Museum in charge of the photography.

The first picture was of the Showalter family at harvest time. Photo was by A.A. Ames, circa 1910. I counted 19 people, including two boys holding their dogs, a little girl holding tight to her mother and another woman in a long dress. It looks as if the crew stopped for a lunch that the women brought into the field for all to enjoy.

The next page showed us Martin & Hubbard's Creamery at Second and G streets. During those early years, milk was not delivered in town. Families sent their children with a 5-pound can to the creamery. The price was 10 cents.

Nearby, at Second and F streets was the Obrien Grocery. White Star Restaurant, not far away, proudly told of "Meals at 25 cents and up." The Moose Hall didn't have to brag about food for sale. Their front entrance was outstanding.

Rural mail carriers were highlighted on another page. Ivan Calvert, son of Samuel Calvert, was rural mail carrier for the Amber Post Office from 1918 to December 1953. Some people may remember Joe Cosselman, carrier on route No. 3, standing next to Ivan.

Next photo showed a glimpse of Cheney's first autos being unloaded at the Northern Pacific Railroad by Clarence D. Martin. These autos were Overland and Fords of 1911-1912 vintage. A tiny photo of an unnamed man is included here by Mrs. Phyllis Bacharach Schierman of St. John. All other photos on this page are again, courtesy of Cheney Tilicum Museum. Quick note: In 1896, the first issue of the Cheney Free Press was published, with George Walis serving as the newspaper's owner.

Cheney was expanding. In 1912 a construction gang gathered at the new Showalter Hall with W. J. Sutton, state senator, present for a picture. The occasion was the demolition of the clock tower at the Normal School following a fire. This photo by taken by Ames, circa 1912.

On the next page, which is the month of July, it's noted that Ernest McMillan's grandfather, Hollenbeck, was a friend of Buffalo Bill back in Dodge City, Kan. They went on many buffalo hunts together.

A photo from the Eastern Washington University Archives shows The First National Bank of Cheney, a very large building that opened in 1898 by organizer, Daniel F. Percival. Some people referred to it as "Wall Street." As late as 1908-1910 others demanded gold coin for payment of debts or sales of goods.

By 1882 Cheney had a big hotel, two warehouses, 24 businesses and 76 homes. Our last glimpse of pictures was a quick look at Pioneer Saloon, Pete Lacasse Blacksmith Shop, Frankie's Drug Store, circa 1915, and a dressed up White Star Restaurant party.

My time and space have run away together. I encourage you to find an abandoned closet that is hiding a Cheney calendar of 1889-1989. You will be delighted.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].