Visit the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum to learn more about local history! Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, see columbiapacificheritagemuseum.org.

September Happenings in History

Sept. 2, 1666: The Great Fire of London began in a bakery in Pudding Lane near the Tower. Over the next three days more than 13,000 houses were destroyed.

Sept. 29, 1829: Britain’s “bobbies” made their first public appearance. Greater London’s Metropolitan Police force was established by an act of Parliament at the request of Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel, after whom they were nicknamed. The force later became known as Scotland Yard, the site of their first headquarters.

Sept: 19, 1893: New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote.

The Local Pages

Sept. 12, 1912, The Tribune: School Notes:

“Two new students were enrolled in High school during the week. They are Mr. Frank Johnson of Chinook, who is a student in the 9th grade, and Mr. Wainio Suomela, who is in the 11th grade. This brings the total enrollment of the High school up to nineteen.

In the first two weeks of school there have been no cases of absence in the High school. There have, however, been five cases of tardiness. In the 8th grade, unfortunately, there have already been five students absent, aggregating fifteen half day sessions missed. Parents are urged to do all in their power to see that the boys and girls are punctual in attendance, as it will be impossible to secure satisfactory work without it. In cases of absence a written excuse from the parent, stating cause for absence is absolutely required by law.”

Sept. 24, 1926, North Beach Tribune, Fine New Building to Be Built Soon

“Two developments of consequence to Long Beach have recently come to light. Walter and Charles Strauhal have bought out the Long Beach Amusement Company and will make extensive repairs and improvement on the Natatorium and Dance Pavilion and Theodore and Ernest Jacobson will move their store building back from the corner it now occupies and put up a two-story modern building in its place. It has not been fully decided whether it will be all concrete or a stucco finished structure with a concrete wall on the south side for fire protection.

When finished the building will be one of the very finest store buildings on the Peninsula and will be a credit to the Jacobsons’ and to Long Beach.

Sept. 6, 1957, Chinook Observer, Ilwaco, Wash.: Patrolman Bolstad Lost Life In Rescue Try

“Patrolman Gene Bolstad, 27, lost his life in the surf here Tuesday afternoon at about 2:20 p.m. upon making a heroic attempt to save the life of Alvin Weise, 18, Cottage Grove, Oregon, who also disappeared in the breakers and drowned along with the patrolman.

Weise and his friend, Bob Leppaluoto, Vancouver, were bathing in the surf at low water about 50 yards south of the Long Beach approach when Weise was taken by cramps; Leppaluoto was trying to lend assistance when the family of David Bauman of Portland and Long Beach partying on the beach, took notice of the lads being in trouble, Dick Bauman, 21, at once raced into the surf to help, and shortly, he was in trouble; Dick’s father ran out into the water and barely saved his son from the undertow. Benn Sott also assisted getting Leppaluoto ashore. In a few moments Patrolman Bolstad arrived on the scene, upon being summoned by an unidentified woman, and joined Weise; Bolstad it seemed was about to get Weise back to safety when both men went down into a crab hole and did not resurface. Weises body came ashore about 4:45 p.m. about one quarter mile south of where he lost his life… About one- and one-half hours after the tragedy, three planes arrived to help locate the bodies, and beach patrols were continued throughout the afternoon, night and next day., but as yet — Thursday afternoon — Bolstad’s body had not come in.

Cape Disappointment coastguardsmen brought in their surf boat, shortly after the drowning alarm was turned in, and with five men on board, started out through the surf, but it was soon swamped in rather rough water, and then came ashore to bale the boat, successfully making it out through the breakers upon a second try. They patrolled over a wide area, until the planes put in appearance and took over the search.

Naselle airmen came to the beach to help with patrolling, as did state patrol officers.”

Note: Washington State Patrol Officer Gene Bolstad’s body was recovered Sunday night, Sept. 8, at about 5:30 p.m. Within a week, a committee was formed to help find a better way to inform visitors of the dangers of ocean swimming. They also tried to come up with a way to sound the alarm if a person was in trouble. The Town of Long Beach changed the name of 1st Street (the main beach approach) to Bolstad in honor of the fallen patrol officer.