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 Aug. 16, 1923, horticulturist and weather observer A.A. Quarnberg announced Clark County nuts would be shown abroad at the Gothenburg fair celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Swedish city. Quarnberg, who immigrated from Sweden in 1869, expected to be traveling through Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and England for three months showing off his filbert display and touting the nut-growing culture of Clark County.
• 75 years ago
After delays due to the Vanport flood, Wagon Wheel Park opened on Aug. 14, 1948. Located between Camas and Washougal, the entertainment center featured a “park, modern dancing, skating and (a) dining center.” Opening night festivities included a dance featuring music from Joe Dardis. Wagon Wheel Park amused visitors for about a decade before closing around 1957.
• 50 years ago
The nationwide beef shortage hit a Pacific Northwest favorite: Burgerville. On Aug. 15, 1973, the local fast food chain’s outpost on Mill Plain Boulevard hung a sign updating customers: “Out of Colossal Burgers Due to Beef Shortage.” Likely caused by a decline in grain production worldwide and increased meat consumption, the shortage began to hit local grocery stores by 1972. Despite the chow crisis, Burgerville continued to serve regular burgers, fish sandwiches and its other well-loved fare.
• 25 years ago
On Aug. 18, 1998, local firms reported on home sales data, finding “Clark County’s residential housing market shattered another record last month.” Thanks to lower mortgage interest rates and steady housing demand, nearly 5,000 homes sold through July, “up nearly 17 percent from the 1997 total for the same period.” The average home price for July 1998 was $165,000, a 3.7 percent increase from the previous year.
