August 26, 2010 – September 1, 2010

Weary Feet

Seventy-five years ago this week, a dance marathon/walkathon closed in Bellingham after 900 hours (about 37 days). The contest took place despite a 1931 city ordinance prohibiting such contests within Bellingham city limits. Two days later, a similar event clocked out at 1,176 hours (55 days) just north of Seattle, which had banned the events in 1928, after an attempted suicide by a losing participant.

The dance marathon craze rose to popularity in the 1920s, but the Great Depression intensified the fad as a grueling endurance contest, with partners dancing for weeks and even months for prize money usually scooped up by the professionals among them. The pain and suffering endured by dancers was ratcheted up even further in "Super Shows" which were shorter, but much more brutal.

On August 26, 1936, a dance marathon/walkathon held in Fife ended after 1,600 hours -- almost two months of stumbling, shuffling, and staggering. By this time, several states had banned the contests completely, and in 1937 Washington followed suit. The law remained in effect until its repeal in 1987. These days, dance marathons and walkathon/ fun runs are sometimes held as charity fundraisers, but are usually limited to less than a day -- a far cry from their ambulatory ancestors.

Feel the Beat

On September 1, 1957, Elvis Presley swiveled and swayed his way into Seattle for a concert at Sicks' Stadium, much to the delight of over 16,200 attendees. Almost 90 percent were teenage girls, one of whom was future HistoryLink staff historian Cassandra Tate, togged out in her poodle skirt and penny loafers. In a very special People's History, Tate recalls being all shook up by the experience.

On August 30, 1968, hordes of hippies descended on Sultan, Washington, near the Skykomish River, for the Sky River Rock Festival. With music by Santana, the Grateful Dead, and scores of other entertainers, the outdoor rock concert was so much fun that another one was held a year later in Tenino, near Olympia. Not bad for an event that had its genesis in a piano drop from a helicopter.

What Went Around, Comes Around

Building Frames: Captain George Pickett arrived in Whatcom County on August 26, 1856, to begin construction of Fort Bellingham. The fort wasn't there long, as pieces of it were later moved to San Juan Island in response to the 1859 Pig War. Pickett and his troops landed on the island too, which led to a 13-year standoff between American and British forces.

Claude and James: On August 28, 1907, two teenage messengers named Jim Casey and Claude Ryan established their own downtown delivery service. United Parcel Service grew out of the dispatch office in the basement of a Seattle saloon, now marked by Waterfall Park in Pioneer Square.

Up in Flames: On August 27, 1914, fire destroyed most of the wood-framed buildings in downtown Shelton, seat of Mason County. The largest surviving object was the metal bank vault, which took days to cool. No word on the condition of its contents, but the town did quickly rebuild -- with brick and stone.

Brand New Route: On August 26 and 27, 1931, a public celebration marking the completion of the 330-mile-long Olympic Loop Highway (U.S. 101) was held in Kalaloch. Six years later, President Franklin Roosevelt toured part of the loop prior to the creation of Olympic National Park.

Over and Out: On August 31, 1936, Spokane's last electric trolley car rolled through the city streets bedecked in funeral crepe. At the end of its last run it was lit afire. This week also marks the last run of the ferry Leschi on August 31, 1950. The boat was later towed to Alaska for use as a salmon cannery, and was last seen collapsed in the muck near Valdez.

Over We Go: On August 28, 1963, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge opened over Lake Washington. It has since been renamed in honor of Governor Albert D. Rosellini. Three years later, the Astoria-Megler Bridge was completed on August 27, 1966. It is the longest continuous three-span through-truss bridge in the world.

Three in a Row: Three King County cities celebrate anniversaries on August 31. Shoreline became a city on that day in 1995 and Kenmore followed suit three years later. And Sammamish -- a resort destination for many years -- incorporated 11 years ago on August 31, 1999.

Quote of the Week

Here they are again, folks! These wonderful, wonderful kids! Still struggling! Still hoping! As the clock of fate ticks away, the dance of destiny continues! The marathon goes on, and on, and on! How long can they last?

            --Final lines of They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Image of the Week

The Davenport Hotel opened in Spokane on September 1, 1914.