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
At the Jan. 7, 1924, Vancouver City Council meeting, O.W. Story, chairman of the health, police and license committee, and Police Chief R.E. McCrite recommended licenses for four businesses be denied. They argued that the Golden Rule Hotel, the Park Hotel, the Canton Restaurant and the Bungalow Pool Hall had been operating as nuisances in the city. The allegations included selling cigarettes to minors. Plus, police had made many arrests for liquor possession at those locations. Despite the refusal to renew, the council gave proprietors two weeks to close.
- 75 years ago
Barbara Fisher, 15-year-old Sifton resident, was selected to attend the National Wool Growers convention in Texas as the Washington delegate. Fisher won the statewide competition for teen girls, sponsored by the Wool Growers women’s auxiliary, with her entries of “a virgin wool dress of red, white and black plaid, with a red leather belt,” for which she received “100 percent on her scorecard.” She was an avid participant in contests and projects for 4-H home economics.
- 50 years ago
On Jan. 7, 1974, “an era ended” when Ralph Hootman “swore in Elmer Turja as the new mayor of Washougal.” After eight years as the city’s chief executive, Hootman presided over his final city council meeting. He described his two mayoral terms as both “challenging and frustrating,” and expressed confidence in Washougal’s new leadership. Before adjuring the final council meeting, Hootman was in hot water when issues over shutting off lights to preserve power during the energy crises got brought up.
