SEASON'S GREETINGS - City of Buckley
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Dec 2018 Foothills Historical Society
Oct-Dec 2018
VILLAGE VOICES
A Publication of Foothills Historical Society and Museum
SEASON’S GREETINGS
A lovely picture of the old Our lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wilkeson
may bring mixed feelings to those who worshiped there. Just as people are
more than flesh and bone, buildings are more than brick and mortar or wood
and nails. They can be resurrected and continue to be part of history.
In 2016 the church was deconsecrated and put up for sale. Fortunately,
Concetta and Olin West bought the property and decided to save and repurpose
it. They have put a new foundation under it, new roof and siding. Work has
revealed the original shiplap walls inside and removed countless layers of
flooring and paint or wallpaper. Work was stopped temporarily to invite the
community in for a spooky Halloween. In a later issue we will visit with the
West’s and find out more about their plans for White Chapel Farm.
In 1981 a 60 year old cabin was in danger of being washed away. The museum
was offered the building if they could remove it themselves. It was rebuilt on
the museum grounds. It has become a favorite spot to have family photos
taken, graduations, weddings, reunions, etc. Even though it was not built to be
a permanent residence, it once was the home of a young couple starting their
life together. Dorothy Bartling has shared her story of living in the log cabin
with her husband. (See page 4.)
Buckley, WA A Heritage Community 1
Dec 2018 Foothills Historical Society
Calendar
Nov 24 Buckley Tree Lighting-Main and River
Dec 5 Board Meeting, 4 pm, Museum
Dec 16 Museum closes for Holidays
Jan 2 Board Meeting 4 pm Museum
Jan 10 General Meeting 7 pm Museum
Feb 3 Museum reopens
Foothills Historical Society
130 N River Avenue President’s Message
PO Box 530
Buckley, WA This year’s Holiday Season the volunteers and supporters of
360-829-1291 Foothills Historical Society and Museum will be taking a much
Hours: Sun 1-4 pm, needed break. See calendar above. We have much to celebrate.
TWTh 12-4pm The Night for the Museum was a tremendous success. Ann
Gibson did a wonderful job spearheading the dinner and silent
Board of Directors auction Thank you to all who contributed auction items or bought
President—Gene Robertson tickets. It was truly a community effort.
Vice President—Kay Skogen
Secretary-Chloe Mickelson The Greater Tacoma Communities Foundation has awarded us a
Treasurer—Jean Contreras Hometown Communities Grant to upgrade the exhibit lighting in
the old Parlor of the museum. We are very honored. Our thanks,
Board Members also, to the City of Buckley for the new metal roof and skylights
Nancy Stratton for the saw shop. Our crew rebuilding the old Stilley cabin has
Doris Maris added windows and Walt Olsen is building a new door for it.
Doug West
Advisors We had a great time hosting Soup Night in October. It was good
David Griffin to visit with all of you who came out to share a meal with us.
Curator- Martha Olsen Passing out candy to Trick-or-Treaters from the old cabin
rounded out the month.
Board Meetings-1st Wed
Museum Parlor 4 pm
Member Discussions-
2nd Thur 7 pm
Open to everyone
Email:foothillsmuseum@city
ofbuckley.com
Facebook:
foothillshistoricalmuseum
School and Public Tours:
Jean Contreras
480-980-9564
Jennifer Sivils 360-367-1440
Buckley, WA A Heritage Community 2
Dec 2018 Foothills Historical Society
Buckley Lights Up for Christmas
Photos shared on Facebook Buckley Community page by Scott Sherer,
Northwest Photographer
si
Buckley, WA A Heritage Community 3
Dec 2018 Foothills Historical Society
LIFE IN A STATE PARK CABIN
Dorothy Suhoversnik, an Enumclaw girl, married Bruce Bartling in 1971,
when he had been working at Federation Forest State Park area where
Green River joins the White River. He was living in an old cabin which
located across the river from the day use area. It was used for temporary
summer park aide help. Bruce had been working as an interpretive
specialist in the day use area for about 3 years. His
supervisor was Joe Cowan. After they married they
lived in the cabin about 5 months before moving
into the apartment behind the Interpretive Center.
Then Bruce was transferred t0 Port Angeles where
he was Director of Clallam County Park . In 28
years they moved 11 times and raised two lovely
daughters. Bruce retired from Washington State
Parks in 1998.
There was no electricity so they had to use propane
lamps and candles. The small shed roof addition on
the back functioned as a kitchen with only an icebox
and two burner hotplate. It was so small Bruce had
to duck his head as he entered. Dorothy would drive
to her parents in Enumclaw home to shower and get
ready to go to work each morning. In the evening she would
stop to get ice on the way home. At first they put their ice chest
coolers in the river…until the bears found them. The main
room of the cabin had a wood stove, couch, desk and lots of
bookshelves. They slept upstairs in the small attic. The cabin
had little insulation and was not rodent proof. The outhouse
was back in the woods. The river was the only view from the
kitchen window.
Many park visitors thought their cabin was open to public. At
one park visitors insisted that their kids use the Bartling’s swing
set, because they were taxpayers. Sometimes the river flow was
so strong they could hear rocks tumbling down the riverbed.
Eventually the river changed course undermining the small
kitchen addition. Trees would blow down in wind storms.
Dorothy was well aware that where she lived could be very
dangerous as well as beautiful.
Dorothy and Bruce loved living there, watching the wildlife that
wandered into the cabin’s yard. A pair of skunks once gave them
insight into their mating habits. They enjoyed the visits from the
Puget Sound Mycological Society who were allowed to come and
collect one specimen of varied varieties that grew in the park.
Buckley, WA A Heritage Community 4
Dec 2018 Foothills Historical Society
What happened to the cabin?
This former Washington State Forestry ranger cabin was built in
the early 1920’s at Swede Point, just west of Greenwater, WA. The
site became part of the Washington State Parks system in 1948. The
cabin sat on the south boundary of the Federation Forest State Park
and was used by seasonal Parks personnel until about 1981. When
the White River changed its course, it began undermining the
cabin’s foundation, putting the entire structure at risk. By 1982 the
river had eroded back to the cabin foundations and took the
kitchen. After WSP decided to donate the cabin to the Foothills
Historical Society, Museum volunteers completely dismantled it,
carefully labeling each log and beam. By 1982 the cabin became
the first historical building reconstructed on Museum grounds in
Buckley. Dr Jesse Rose and his wife, Maxine, carefully chinked the
logs with a mixture of mortar and sheep’s wool.
Picking whether illegal or legal is up to the
individual state park. I always thought that it
was okay to pick in the Federation Forest
State Park. I guess to be sure one should call
the office at that state park. The surrounding
areas are now off limits with small security
trucks that chase people out. Sadly the
surrounding forest used to be one of my
chanterelle areas. larger groups have to get a
special permit to hunt in state parks are are
required to document everything picked. IN
addition all non-edibles are supposed to be
left in the park. For people picking on their
own in a state park, it is legal to pick edibles if
the park allows it, but illegal to pick non-
edibles (crazy)—Puget Sound Micology
Society, Oct 28, 2018 Chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius
Buckley, WA A Heritage Community 5
Dec 2018 Foothills Historical Society
We Wish You A Very Happy, Healthy and
Prosperous New Year!
Photo by Yuri Sigfredo Amaya 12/2018
Memberships for the Foothills Historical Society and
Museum are up for renewal Jan 1, 2019. We hope you will
renew or join us in supporting Plateau history.
Individual $15 • Family $25 • Business • $40
Foothills Historical Society and Museum
PO Box 530
Buckley, WA 98321
Buckley, WA A Heritage Community 6
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