January 26, 2012 - February 1, 2012

The Rhody, Less Traveled

This week, ferry riders bid farewell to the MV Rhododendron, which made her last run between Tahlequah and Point Defiance on January 23. Retired at the age of 65, the Rhody started her career in Maryland as the Governor Herbert R. O'Conor, but in 1952 the vessel found herself out of work -- along with the Governor Harry Nice -- when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge opened. Beneficially for both boats, the newly formed Washington State Ferries was in need of more fleet members while the new Evergreen class ferries were being built.

The sister ships were towed to Puget Sound and, after being overhauled and cleaned, were renamed the Rhododendron and Olympic. Their new titles brought on controversy -- it was a long-standing custom for Puget Sound ferries to have Indian names. Public outcry became louder with the launch of the Evergreen State, after which ferry officials announced a return to tradition. Every ferry since has been named accordingly.

The Rhody plied many routes over the years -- Hood Canal, Mukilteo/Clinton, Port Townsend/Keystone -- but was mothballed in 1983. After an extensive rebuild, the ferry was put on the run to south Vashon Island. For the past 20 years the vessel was a welcome friend to countless islanders, who listened for its whistle blast in the distance.

The MV Chetzemoka, launched in 2010, now serves the south Vashon run, ready for a new generation of island travelers. And if history is any indicator, those ferry riders might develop a close bond with their new vessel. Vashon folk have been known to be fiercely protective of their ferry service -- and don't even think of asking them if they'd prefer a bridge instead.

The Battle in Seattle

On the morning of January 26, 1856, an estimated 1,000 Salish warriors came over the ridge of First Hill and attacked the tiny village of Seattle clustered in present-day Pioneer Square. During the skirmish, the settlers returned the Indian fire, reinforced by Marines and a howitzer from the U.S.S. Decatur, anchored in Elliott Bay. Sporadic gun volleys continued until 10 o'clock that night, when the attackers retreated, leaving behind two dead settlers and none of their own, not even a trace of blood.

Rising tensions had led to bloody acts by both newcomers and Indians before the "Battle of Seattle," but the attack marked the climax of active resistance led by Chief Leschi and other tribal leaders against the Indian treaties dictated by Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens over the previous two years. Leschi was eventually captured, and his half-brother Quiemuth surrendered soon after. Quiemuth was murdered by persons unknown, and Leschi was hanged in 1858 over the protests of many pioneers. It wasn't until 2004 that Leschi was finally exonerated.

News Then, History Now

Big Vibration: On January 26, 1700, a massive earthquake struck the Pacific Northwest, sending a tsunami across the Pacific that slammed into Japan, where scribes made the first written record of any event in our region. It is estimated that the temblor was at least 9.2 on the modern Richter scale, making it the region's most powerful earthquake ... yet.

Plan Negation: One hundred years ago this week, on January 29, 1912, Tacoma unveiled the Bogue plan for developing the city's waterfront. Prepared by engineer Virgil Bogue -- who was also known for naming the town of Pasco and advocating for public ports -- the plan failed to gain sufficient public support, as did Bogue's more grandiose city plan for Seattle.

Dance Duration: At the peak of the nationwide dance marathon craze, Bellingham officials decided that their town should oppose the controversial fad and on January 26, 1931, passed an ordinance that prohibited the grueling endurance contests. At the time, the local VFW was sponsoring such an event, which was then into its 25th day. The dance was halted two days later, and although many thought this would be Bellingham's last marathon, it wasn't.

Class Frustration: On January 27, 1944, nearly the entire student body of East Stanwood High School walked out in protest of what they viewed as the draconian administration of Superintendent Alfred Tunem. Many Stanwood parents sided with their children and the school hallways stayed empty for nearly a week. The matter was settled between parents and the school board and, although few details were released, Tunem did leave East Stanwood later that year and went on to become Mukilteo's first mayor.

Dining Out: Dick's Drive-In in Seattle served its first hamburger on January 28, 1954, but on January 31, 1994, the Dog House restaurant stopped serving up chow and put away the bowls for the last time. Floyd Waterson tells the "tail" of the Last Call at the Dog House in a colorful People's History submission.

Moving On: On February 1, 1966, Seattle's Columbia Street on-ramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct opened to traffic. A year later, on January 31, 1967, Interstate 5 was completed between Tacoma and Seattle, two years after the Everett-Seattle link was finished. And on January 28, 1995, commuter rail service was demonstrated between Everett and Tacoma to help promote a new regional transit system.

Breaking Up: On January 26, 1984, the Love Israel Family -- one of the largest and most prominent communal groups in Washington to emerge during the 1960s and 1970s counterculture -- gave up all its Seattle properties in an out-of-court settlement. A bitter break-up during this time led about two-thirds of the members to depart.

Heroes Down: On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded during takeoff, killing seven astronauts, including Cle Elum native Dick Scobee. And eight years ago, on February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing seven astronauts, including former Spokane resident and UW graduate Michael P. Anderson.

Quote of the Week

I have always loved to sit in ferry and railroad stations and watch the people, to walk on crowded streets, just walk along among the people, and see their faces, to be among people on street cars and trains and boats.

                          --Ella Reeve Bloor

Image of the Week

The Liberty Arch Monument gate at Fort Lewis was completed on January 26, 1918.