Rosemere History

History of the Interstate Bridge

Mammoth Bridge of Steel Across Columbia Breaks the Last Barrier in Pacific Highway - Thousands Witness Opening Ceremonies - Samuel Hill, Father of Pacific Highway, tells of Conception of Mammoth Bridge -- Formal Cutting of Ropes and Unfurling of Flags Dedicate it to Traffic

Read Excerpts from The Vancouver Columbian, Feb. 14, 1917.

http://www.rtc.wa.gov/media/bridge.html

On the front lawn of the then-new Washington School there was seen a large elm tree which our school council had planted many years ago. It was a scion of the Washington elm in Massachusetts under which General George Washington took command of the Continental Army. It was presented to the school while just a small twig by the Masonic Lodge of Vancouver and received by George Harper, then mayor of 'Washington School city.'

According to Elizabeth Walker, City Urban Forester, this elm tree was cut down about eight years ago due to elm disease. At this time, LSW Architects is working on plans for the new Washington School. The RNA has approached them with a proposal to replant and rededicate this tree with a fresh cutting from the same source. The architect has enthusiastically agreed to add this proposal to the plans for the school rebuild project.

What’s in a Name?

Did you know that Rosemere means Rose Mother in some languages?

On October 9, 1946 a meteor hit Rosemere at 33rd and O Streets. Before impact, it was visible for ten seconds from Eugene, OR to Seattle, WA.

Fourth Plain Road near Vancouver, 1903.

Street Cars

This photo was taken around 1910 near the foot of Washington Street. The ferry slip is in the background and a hotel is on the right.

In July of 1908, the Vancouver Traction Company received permission from the county commissioners to extend its line beyond Vancouver Heights, east to St. Johns Road. A site was chosen there to build its car barns and where street cars could be maintained and stored when not in use. The building was erected at the northwest corner of 33rd Street and St. Johns Road.

By September 1, 1908, the line was completed through the city. The only delay at that time in the commencement of operation was the arrival of street cars. The cars were to be at least five feet longer than those used on the Portland-Vancouver run and would hold 60 people. Each car was powered with twin 50-horsepower motors to carry them over the tracts at a good rate of speed. The cars had "natural wood finished interiors with a ceiling of delicate tinted green." They arrived on September 23rd and the line went into operation three days later.

Meteor

On October 9, 1946, a meteor hit Rosemere at 33rd and O Streets. Before impact, it was visible for 10 seconds from Eugene, Oregon to Seattle, Washington.

A huge crowd attended the christening of the Amazon Bay, aircraft carrier, by Eleanor Roosevelt at the Kaiser Shipyard.

Excerpt from August, 2001 RNA Newsletter
Saint James Cemetery (located on E. 29th Street between M & O Streets) was established and conse-crated on May 21, 1882 by his Lordship Aegidius Junger, D.D. Bishop of Nisqually. There are 162 Sisters of Providence buried in the cemetery, including Mother Joseph.

Mother Joseph was the famous pioneering nun who is represented in Washington D.C., as one of two Washingtonians honored in the Statuary Hall at the Capital Building. Mother Joseph died in 1909, but left a legacy of humanitarian service. In 1953, the American Institute of Architects declared Mother Joseph "The First Architect of the Pacific Northwest" The earliest recorded burial is 1861 and the earliest recorded burial for a nun is dated 1864.

Excerpt from December, 2001 RNA Newsletter
The first street lighting in Vancouver was used in 1875 during the Christmas season when merchants began hanging street oil lanterns in front of their stores. Electricity took the place of the oil lamps in 1888 and consisted of twenty lights supplied by a steam boiler. Electric lights were turned off during the summer months to save the cost of power.

All Rosemere Neighborhood newsletters are being sent to Dave Fenton at the Vancouver Historical Society to be included in Rosemere history archives.

Excerpt from February, 2002 RNA Newsletter
In 1932 the Washington School Parent-Teacher Association was the acting organization for the school. Devoted members sponsored activities that were many and varied: pre-school clinics, pre-school meetings, gymnasium for adults, Boy Scout and Cub Scout groups as well as Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls. The PTA collected and made over clothes for underprivileged children. A sewing machine was purchased for $1.50 on March 3, 1932. They met every week to sew and make quilts. They reported 180 garments given to needy children by October 6, 1932.

Excerpt from March, 2002 RNA Newsletter
The Washington Community Club established in 1921 organized and equipped the first elementary school cafeteria. Many women in the community scheduled themselves as cooks. The price for lunch was rarely more than 10 cents, because neighborhood gardens and orchards furnished much of the food.

The Community Club met weekly. It was difficult to get downtown so they supplied their own varied entertainment - home talent shows, debates, folk dancing, kangaroo courts, etc. A Mr. Wooster of Vancouver High introduced club members to "radio."

Some Vancouver Fireworks History

Probably one of the best known but also the most controversial special events is the Fourth of July celebration. The City of Vancouver first sponsored the event using Park Service and city land in 1963 when William R. Sampson was acting superintendent after Frank Hjort transferred. That first year, around 17,500 people enjoyed helicopter demonstrations, sky diving exhibitions, water fights between the fire departments, a presentation of highlights from the MUSIC MAN, tours of the fort site, and a spectacular fireworks display on the airport. For the first time in many years, groups were allowed free use of the fort site, and eight members of the Fort Vancouver Historical Society were stationed at key locations within the stockade walls to interpret the site and pass out information sheets prepared by us and printed by the City's committee in charge of arrangements. The site received five times more visitors than they had during the previous July, forcing them to use the parade ground as a parking lot.