Stories by Martin Middlewood

Columbian freelance contributor

In July 1913, professional cowgirl Lucille Mulhall rode in the Miller Brothers’ Oklahoma Ranch Wild West Show parade through Vancouver. Then, at two local shows, she outperformed the cowboys.

Clark County history: In July 1913, the Wild West came to Vancouver for one day only

November 16, 2024, 6:10am Clark County Life

Hollywood’s Wild West myth never fit Clark County. Setting aside Saturday night bar fights and a man stabbed to death in a saloon, our local history lists no reports of quick-draw shootouts on any county streets. Still, residents romanticized the West. Youths read dime novels about frontiersmen adventurers, like Buffalo… Read story

During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps sent workers to reforest the Yacolt Burn. This 1936 photo is thought to have been shot in an area near Texas Creek in the upper Washougal River drainage.

Clark County history: 40,000 men passed through Vancouver Barracks before starting Civilian Conservation Corps work

November 9, 2024, 6:10am Clark County Life

When President Roosevelt signed the Civilian Conservation Corps bill in March 1933 as part of his New Deal, he sought to protect the wealth of forests and create ways to control floods and decrease soil erosion. The U.S. Army’s Vancouver Barracks became the training site for the Ninth Corps, which… Read story

Vancouver Barracks commander George C. Marshall’s gracious handling of the unexpected landing of the Chkalov transpolar flight prevented cracking the emerging but fragile U.S.-Soviet relations in 1937 and presaged his skill as U.S. secretary of state after World War II.

Clark County History: Gen. Marshall’s short Vancouver stay presaged his greatness

October 26, 2024, 6:10am Clark County Life

While serving as an instructor for the Illinois National Guard, Col. George C. Marshall, then 55, felt of “little importance to the Army.” He’d plateaued at colonel, and his future appeared mediocre. Then, the Army promoted him to brigadier general in October 1936 and posted him to the Vancouver Barracks. Read story

The bell in the Providence Academy cupola, which provides a view of downtown Vancouver, was installed in 1878 and removed after the building was sold in 1968. Its return in 1975 was marked by tragedy.

Clark County history: Academy bell’s return mixed with grief

October 19, 2024, 6:10am Clark County Life

For a brief time, Providence Academy was Washington Territory’s largest brick building. Constructed in 1874 of bricks supplied from Vancouver’s Hidden brickyard, Mother Joseph designed the structure. Read story

U.S. troops, possibly part of the 14th Infantry from Vancouver Barracks under command of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, lined up in front of a downtown Seattle hotel during the anti-Chinese mob violence in February 1886.

Clark County history: Vancouver and the Chinese riots

October 12, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Local rowdies beat Moy Ling after he left a Methodist church, reported the Clark County Register in January 1881. This single local incident demonstrates the anti-Chinese feelings festering within the Washington Territory. Read story

Clark County history: Vancouver commander Gibbon chose the Union over the Confederacy

John Gibbon was one of the longest-tenured leaders of the Department of the Columbia. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Gibbon is remembered for his influential writings, the scientifically based “Artillerist’s Manual” (1859) and posthumously published manuscripts on the Civil War and soldiering in the West.

When the Civil War broke out, John Gibbon, a North Carolinian and 1847 West Point graduate, remained faithful to the Union while his brothers, cousin and brothers-in-law chose the Confederacy. Gibbon received his first wound at Fredericksburg, Va. in December 1862. During Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, Pa., in July 1863,… Read story

Clark County History: Day Hilborn was Clark County’s landmark architect

The Kiggins Theatre is one of several landmark Clark County buildings designed by 20th century architect Day Hilborn.

September 28, 2024, 5:45am Clark County Life

In 1927, a two-man architectural firm moved from Centralia to Vancouver. A Columbian headline on the brief announcement was simply titled, “Believe in Vancouver.” One of the partners, Day Hilborn, later broke from his partner Richard Gough to run his own firm, becoming a prolific architect in Washington and Oregon.… Read story

Clark County History: Swan Disaster

On March 29, 1930, towed by the tug Dix, the Swan carried passengers to celebrate the opening of the longest bridge in the United States at Longview. This photograph was taken the day before the schooner Davenport slammed into the Swan, creating the most devastating inland wreck on the Columbia River.

September 14, 2024, 5:59am Clark County Life

After a day celebrating the grand opening of the new bridge crossing the Columbia River at Longview, the longest in the country in 1930, nearly 300 carousers partied onboard the Swan. Some danced on the upper deck; others played cards or enjoyed the cruise back to Vancouver towed along by… Read story