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 Oct. 19, 1923, residents from British Columbia to Mexico celebrated the opening of “a paved highway.” After many years of construction, the Pacific Highway “was thrown open to travel … with the exception of a less than one mile detour just north of Kelso” which remained closed until Oct. 25.
- 75 years ago
On Oct. 19, 1948, a “traveling trophy for the Southern Division basketball league became a reality.” Measuring about 24 inches high, it featured a regulation-sized basketball mounted on a large base with the names of past winners since league’s inception in 1928. The massive medal would be presented annually by the Vancouver Columbian. The inaugural year of the award saw a three-way tie between Battle Ground, Camas and Longview. In the case of a tie, co-champs’ names would be listed alphabetically, and each team would hold onto the trophy until the naming of the next victor.
- 50 years ago
Budget woes facing the city of Vancouver put a 30-year landmark on the chopping block. The Trapadero Teen Club had used a Marshall Community Center rec room as its home base since it was established in 1944. The Trap, as it was affectionately called, operated under the parks department, which faced cuts to its entire budget. However, outcry from students and residents led the city to continue funding the Trap into the first half of 1974.
