Postcards were the Instagram posts of their day. This one features the former Enumclaw School located on the block now occupied by City Hall and a surrounding park. This image comes courtesy of JoAnne Matsumura, an Issaquah historian and collector. The penny postcard was postmarked Dec. 19, 1911 and mailed from Enumclaw to Jersey City. The message written in German came from Otto, Willi, and Frieda, but their last name was not included. The view is from the corner of Griffin and Wells looking northwesterly. The old Presbyterian Church is to the right of the Victorian-styled school building. The structure to the far right was probably the fire department’s bell, the equivalent of today’s siren, sounded each Saturday at noon. A similar photo was featured in the June 1909 issue of The Coast. It was a monthly periodical comparable to Sunset Magazine as it carried stories of promising west coast cities and towns of the day. The 1909 issue featured a story about Enumclaw written by the town’s former state senator, Dr. J.J. Smith. Excerpts from his description follow.
“The visitors to this little city are invariably impressed by the fine residences, some of which will compare favorably with first-class city homes. The houses and premises present a neat and well-kept appearance, which is often commented upon by strangers. ~ Enumclaw’s public schools are among the best, and enrolled this year 320 pupils. A full high school course is available. ~ There are four churches – Presbyterian, Catholic, Danish, and Scandinavian – all in good financial condition. ~ The vicinity is noted for its many successful co-operative enterprises: Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Company, Rochdale Co-Operative Store; Co-Operative Creamery, and the co-operative fruit and vegetable cannery [that] has lately been erected. ~ Other business enterprises embrace the State Bank of Enumclaw with $85,000 in deposits: five general stores, two hardware stores, a clothing and dry goods store, two tailor shops, a drug store, one hotel and several restaurants and lunch counters, two barber shops, two newspapers, two blacksmith shops, a harness shop, a livery stable, two saloons, a bakery, two painting and paperhanging establishments, and a telephone exchange with 168 subscribers. There is also a concrete block manufactory. ~ Enumclaw is experiencing a rapid and healthy growth, and is an excellent field for farmers and manufacturers who are seeking new locations.”
