75 years ago
July 4, 1942
Minus the usual noise of fireworks and snarl of highway traffic that go with a peacetime Fourth of July, Grays Harbor today quietly observed Independence Day. The annual Splash program in Hoquiam, hosted by the American Legion, climaxed with field sports.
Noise-making was confined to the cracking of a few cap guns, exempted in the wartime ban against fireworks. Practically no firecrackers were heard, police reported, and in other respects today was the quietest Fourth in many years.
Automobile and tire rationing cut down highway traffic to a minimum. The long lines of cars that headed for the ocean beaches and other recreational spots in other years weren’t to be seen today.
July 5, 1942
Sunday, no newspaper published
50 years ago
July 4, 1967
Aberdeen Fire Chief Zane Mitchell should get along pretty well with Hoquiam’s new head firefighter — it’s his big brother, Ken.
The brother act was formed last night when Hoquiam councilmen unanimously confirmed Mayor Rolland Youmans appointment of Ken Mitchell as the city’s new fire chief. He has been with the department for 17 1/2 years, starting as a hoseman in Jan. 1950, working up to a driver’s position and became a captain in October of 1959.
July 5, 1967
Deputy State Fire Marshal Walker Ryckman and Aberdeen Fire Chief Zane Mitchell continue to investigate the cause of a fire which resulted in $200,000 damage when about two dozen small propane gas tanks exploded at Petrolane Blue Flame Gas in the 1100 block of East Wishkah Street Saturday.
Reduced to smouldering piles of charred rubble were three homes, a half-block long warehouse building, 11 units of the 18-unit Flamingo Motel, an office building, six trucks, three cars, a bus and a small boat.
25 years ago
July 4, 1992
The only water was from the clowns’ squirt guns, Trout Unlimited’s fishing tank and sweaty brows as Aberdeen’s Independence Day festivities went off with a Splash Saturday.
The warm weather brought thousands to Aberdeen’s Franklin Field to sample food, shop for crafts, watch a magic show, karate exhibition and remote control car races and listen to a variety of music.
The 44-entry parade which included Craig Wellington, recently retired dean of services at Grays Harbor College, as grand marshal, began nearly on time.
July 5, 1992
Summer Action Camp has started at Simpson Elementary School in Montesano and continues through July 30. Camp runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for preschoolers through sixth graders.
“The goal is to provide a diverse set of activities for our campers,” said camp director Mike McKinney. “But I’m a teacher by trade, so I want to have purpose to the fun.”
Activities at the camp will center on a different theme each week. During the science sessions, students will design, build and fire rockets into the sky, When they focus of nature, the campers will visit Elma’s recycling plant.
One week will be devoted to Festival of People activities, with the camp creating an entry and marching in the parade. Another week they’ll learn about the beach with a trip to Westport.
The cost for camp is $12 per week and the event is subsidized by Montesano Community School.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
