A weekly look back compiled by the Clark County Historical Museum from The Columbian archives available at columbian.newspapers.com or at the museum.
100 years ago
In an interview with The Columbian on Aug. 28, 1924, F.W. Leadbetter, president of the Columbia River Paper Mill, announced the completion of the mill fulfilled a dream he first conceived nearly 20 years ago. Leadbetter envisioned “the ideal paper mill, centrally located as to raw material, labor supply and shipping facilities.” Leadbetter’s dream was postponed for two decades, but it was just as well because the newly completed facility along the Vancouver waterfront was “the most complete and up-to-date enterprise of its kind in existence.”
75 years ago
Clark County’s fair opened at 8 a.m. on Aug. 25, 1949. An hour later, County Extension Agent Arthur Kulin announced late entries would probably not be able to secure a spot. “We already have one third more entries than we had last year. The dairy and garden buildings are filled and bursting at the seams.” Fair organizers increased the size of the grandstands to 5,000 to accommodate spectators.
50 years ago
A mid-air collision between two planes on Aug. 24, 1974, sent one into the roof of Jantzen’s garment factory near Pearson Field and the other into the ground. The crash destroyed both planes. The pilots were rushed to Vancouver Memorial Hospital, each in serious condition.
