Centennial Artist Receives Plaque at Chamber Lunch
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David Craig, Centennial Committee member, professional artist and official artist for the celebration was presented with a beautiful plaque by Centennial Chair Bob Walter, during the Chamber's December Christmas luncheon. David did all the artwork for the Centennial which included the logo, pole banners and Centennial Coins.
David's plaque is imprinted with the logo he designed and states he was a Platinum Partner. He owns Four Winds Gallery in Eatonville. To watch a short video of the presentation please see David Craig Receives Plaque
Centennial is History Now
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Emily Randolph, 11, on the community float October 17, entertained parade goers singing "Eatonville is a Small Town" during the Centennial celebration October 16 - 18, 2009. Photo by Bob Walter, Centennial Chair.
For photos and videos please see links below, they will take you to Eatonvillenews.net.
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Welcome to the Official
Eatonville Centennial Web Site!
We are the essence of small town America, nestled in the shadow of glorious Mount Rainier, in Pierce County, Washington, along the road to Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park. Eatonville, population 2,012, will celebrate 100 years of incorporation in October 2009.
Photo of Eatonville by Bob Walter January 2009
The Town of Eatonville was platted June 4, 1897 by T. C. Van Eaton and his second wife, Mary Jane (Osborne).
Little Eatonville was the third town in Pierce County to vote for incorporation. The election was held October 16, 1909. The vote to incorporate wasn't a landslide, there were 47 voters in favor and 21 voters against the action.
The vision of the Eatonville Centennial Committee is a grand celebration of the history, business, culture, art, public service and family life in our unique community. We will honor the people and events of the past 100 years and beyond, in telling the story of our town's evolution. This will be a community-wide celebration. We hope that everyone will be involved in some manner.
Under the auspices of the South Pierce County Historical Society, the Eatonville Centennial Committee is reaching out for partners to help accomplish the goals of the various working groups. Working together with the leaders of Eatonville today from every corner, we're making sure that news of Eatonville's 100th birthday, and ways to get involved, will be prominently featured in each business, at tourist attractions, at civic gatherings, in local news, and at established annual events, locally and regionally.
We invite you to join us. Please bookmark our site and visit again as the year progresses and the celebration unfolds. We'll portray the panorama of 100 years in stories and photos. If you're from our area, or have a connection to Eatonville, we hope you'll share your story and pictures, too.
For more information or to join our 100 year celebration please contact Chair Bob Walter 360.832.6555 - cell 253.988.0904 - email senemaat@rainierconnect.com
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Northwest Trek Wolf Awareness Weekend
Please Click Wolf for Wolf Awareness Page on this Site and Northwest Trek for Trek Site
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Next Big Centennial Event - Masked Ball Friday, October 16, 2009 High School Commons!
Masked Ball Tickets for Sale Now
For Photos and More Please See
Centennial Masked Ball
Watch your Centennial Committee Pick Out Masks for the Ball Click here: Masks
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Centennial Women's Tea
Great Success
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Hostesses Edwinna Van Eaton and Roni Haynes Johnson visit with one group of many during the Centennial Women's Tea. In the background is a mother holding her children, one of about 100 area photographs of women put together by Pat Van, grandson of Town Founder T. C. Van Eaton. Pat set up a silent Powerpoint program which ran on a loop.
As a surprise to everyone, including the hostesses, Pat made enough CD's of the program so each woman attending could have one to remember the Centennial and the women who helped make it happen.
Other favors were silk fans and decorated Centennial tote bags with Centennial events brochures tucked inside. Door prizes were two Centennial coins with bezels so they can be worn as necklaces, a charming tea pot donated by the Holly Hut and a miniature tea set. Edwinna Van Eaton donated 100 roses in a variety of pastel shades so each woman could take a rose home if they wished.
Women Filled the Community Center
and Raised $501 in Donations
by Dixie A. Walter
The Centennial Women's Tea celebrating the myriad contributions of women in the Eatonville area was a fun-filled and hugely successful tea party. The Community Center was filled with the sounds of women laughing and learning more about the history of our town which is less than two weeks away from the "Hundred year event."
Many of the women attending the tea were amazed the sterile Community Center could be transformed into a place of beauty. And they loved the transformation. Huge, spectacular plants and flowers, mounds of dainty food in all varieties, included a chocolate fountain, lively and touching entertainment by Emily Randolph, 11 years old, and Robin Gardner, local veterinarian and songstress, along with short readings of interest to women.
Historic displays filled the big room, from antique wedding dresses to photographs, to small mementos of remembrance of women from the past who helped build our community.
The generous women came to the tea with pounds and pounds of food for the Eatonville Food Bank and donations to the Centennial Committee far exceeded expectations. Heard over and over, "We should do this every year." Hostesses Edwinna Van Eaton, Roni Haynes Johnson, Leslie "Yatie" Shore and Dixie Walter said, laughing,"Sure, and you can be on the committee."
Special thanks to Donna Rahier for her hours of help. And thanks to her granddaughter, seven year old Rylie Rahier, and Emily Randolph. These young women offered to pitch in and worked hard to help with the tea set up and break down. Also special thanks to Pat Van Eaton, Bob Walter and Mayor Tom Smallwood.
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Street Banner is up Greeting One and All
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Traffic coming through Eatonville is now invited to help celebrate our upcoming Centennial Birthday. The colorful, three-foot by 18-foot banner was purchased by United States Census 2010 through a partnership with the Eatonville Centennial Committee. Notice how the Census 2010 logo waves as you arrive in town and as you leave town. The Census partnership also paid for 1,400 tote bags which will be available free at their booth at the October 17 street faire. The totes are also available at some local businesses. (photo by Bob Walter)
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Centennial Committee Meetings will Now be Every Week Until the Big Celebration
Dates:
Thursday, October 8:
Thursday, October 15:
Everyone is Welcome!
The Centennial Committee meets
in the Community Center, 305 Center Street West.
Contact Chair Bob Walter- senemaat@rainierconnect.com
Home Phone - 360.832.6555
Cell - 253.988.0904
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Town Founder's Baseball Team
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We received this charming old photo from Maureen McElravy. In an email Maureen explains, “Attached is a photo of Mr. Van Eaton and his boy's baseball team. My grandfather is, I believe, the dapper young man in the stylish hat. [Probably the young man in the last row by the bike wheel.]
Born in 1899, he came west from Pennsylvania with his father when he was nine then returned for the rest of the family. More boys were born in the area, although they eventually moved to the Port Angeles area in Clallam County.
His name was Leon F. McElravy, son of Guy and Elizabeth (Stroup) McElravy. His younger brothers were Chuck, Earl, Herb, Bob, and Dallas. All great ballplayers, particularly Bob, though by their retirement years, none had a full set of fingers. They all worked in the mills!
I am guessing the photo was shot about 1910-1913. Granddad was a very small man. I believe he was probably 12-14 years old by the looks of him.”
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Treasure Trove of Old Eatonville Dispatchs on the Internet...
Click Here for the Web Site
September 5, 2009: Click on the link to read "ancient" Eatonville Dispatches beginning with September 1, 1916 Volume 2, and ending December 27, 1918, when the Dispatch newspaper was in its third year. The site consists of a long list of links. Each link will take you to copy of the Dispatch. The papers are in text only, no photos.
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Centennial Parade Entries Now Being Accepted
We Do Love a Parade!
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Louise Van Eaton and Edwinna Van Eaton during the 2006 Fourth of Juy Parade. The smiling women wave to the crowds and give them a history lesson at the same time. (photo by Bob Walter)
Centennial Parade Entries
from Audrey Thompson
September 4, 2009
Parade entries for the Centennial Parade on October 17, 2009 are now being accepted. We are encouraging all families that are part of our area history to be in the parade. It would be great to see floats, marching groups - letting everyone know about their family history.
The parade is for every person, business, organizations, bands, marching groups who would like to attend. The parade will start at 10 a.m. For more information you can pick up entries at Eatonville Outdoor, Thompson Licensing, Dawn's or call Karen at 253.307.9228 or Audrey at 360.832.8366. For information on vendors call Dawn at 360.832.2900.
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The First Beautful Pole Banner has Arrived
See Short Video And More Story
These specatular pole banners were designed by local artist David Craig for the Centennial Celebration and beyond. The banners will dress up the community and decorate some streets for three years or longer.
David Craig has thrown his artistic talent into many aspects of the Centennial, including the official logo which will soon grace a big banner that will hang across Washington Avenue.
The pole banners should be finished and ready to hang very soon. They are paid for by Hotel-Motel Tax monies allocated to the Centennial Committee who in turn donated the banners to the community. The banners will be hung by town staff when completed.
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Your Centennial
Committee in Action
This short video was taken at the Centennial Committee meeting of January 29. Speaking at the end of the table is Bob Schaub, next to him is Sharon Aquilar, then Tom Smallwood, Dee Baublits, Bob Walter, Nancy Iams, Christine Blackett, between Nancy and Christine is David Craig, then Len Throop, and Roni Haynes Johnson.
