100 years ago
The Columbia River Paper Mill site on Fifth and Grant streets was abuzz with activity, according to an April 20, 1923, Columbian article. With contracts “let daily, work being rushed and orders for machinery and material sent out regularly” by the company, Vice President Will DuBois said they would be “ ‘cutting by August … (and) will have an output of 125,000 feet of hemlock or 150,000 feet of spruce a day, on one shift.’ ” Columbia River Paper Mill, one of many businesses growing during this time, expected to employ over 100 workers at its new plant.
75 years ago
The opening of Battle Ground Lake on April 18, 1948, brought scores of anglers and visitors looking to “wet their lines.” The crowd lent a “ ‘carnival’ atmosphere to the occasion.” State game protectors Jim Cromwell and Al Thompson reported to The Columbian “a total 437 fishermen were checked with a total catch of 5,438 fish, averaging 9½ inches per fish.” The largest fish measured 14 inches.
50 years ago
On April 22, 1973, The Columbian encouraged readers to try their hands at catching a springtime delicacy — the crappie. Found in the backwaters of the Columbia River or smaller bodies of water, the freshwater fish make for “flavorful” eating.
25 years ago
A forum entitled “The Decline of the Salmon in the Northwest” brought nearly 70 people to Clark College on April 21, 1998. A panel of experts discussed solutions to the Columbia River’s declining salmon populations for three hours. Linda Crerar, a member of then-Gov. Gary Locke’s “salmon team,” noted Clark County would have more fish species listed on the endangered or threatened list “than any other Washington county.”
Katie Bush is public historian at the Clark County Historical Museum.
