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
Grand Marshal David Turtledove encouraged “every concern in Vancouver, big and little” to join Vancouver’s “Parade of Progress” at 7:30 p.m. on June 7, 1923, at 11th and Washington streets. Celebrating Vancouver’s “pep and ginger,” as well as the city’s growing payroll, the booster pageant featured trucks, fancy turnouts, flivvers, marchers and “a good many surprises.” Major businesses, including DuBois Sawmills, Hidden Bros. Brick Yard and The Vancouver Columbian, closed for the evening event.
75 years ago
Music director W.H. Hannah announced on June 7, 1948, that the Vancouver High School band would not take part in Portland’s Rose Festival. Citing “hazardous conditions” and difficulties with housing and transportation caused by the Vanport flood, parents and school officials believed it was best to cancel the band’s participation. “This is to be regretted by Vancouver citizens, band members and directors, because the band for many years has been prominent in Rose Festival activities,” Hannah said .
50 years ago
The June 1973 Rose Festival drew 300,000 revelers to Portland as bands and floats wound their way through downtown streets. The well-attended event featured two entries from Clark County. Battle Ground’s float “In the Good Old Summer Time” used an old Victrola as inspiration. Entitled “A Little Girl’s Dream” and “decked in red, pink and white roses and painted pompoms,” Vancouver’s float carried Little Miss Vancouver Lori O’Keath and Marsha Covey (McManus), former Miss Washington.
