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
On June 30, 1924, Ridgefield angler Vern Tracey caught more than salmon while on the Columbia. He landed two Noiseless typewriters from the bottom of the river. The machines were new but had likely been in the water for a few weeks, which had rendered them useless. Tracey exhibited the typewriters at Allen’s Garage in Ridgefield.
- 75 years ago
On July 6, 1949, plans for a new glass, tile and painted concrete building on 20th and Main streets were announced. Milholland Plumbing Co. would occupy part of the building. A 17-foot neon sign, complete with “a large chrome faucet” and neon tubes simulating water dripping, identified the company.
- 50 years ago
On July 3, 1974, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced it would go to court to complete the Interstate 205 freeway after Multnomah County commissioners voted 3-2 against the proposed design. Construction of the freeway was already underway on the Washington side, and projected to be open to traffic in 1975.
- 25 years ago
A 5.5 magnitude earthquake shook Southwest Washington on July 3, 1999. Localized near Satsop, the quake was the largest to hit the state in 34 years. In Clark County, emergency dispatch received 10 to 15 calls about the temblor.
