The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

“Standing at the foot of History” were the titles of Roger Lucas Reporter’s Notebook in the Star. This is really true in the Grand Coulee Dam Area. We live under the shadow of one of the Greatest Project ever built, Grand Coulee Dam. But there is some much more history in the Grand Coulee Dam Area than Grand Coulee Dam which visitors from all over the world flock to this area to see.

I am glad that Roger and his family have had to the opportunity to visit so maybe places of history around these United States. I was born in Seattle and because an army brat, living in Japan at the age of five, starting school there. Most of my life spent in Washington. I have had the opportunity to visit every state on the westside of the Mississippi but Louisiana, and a couple on the east side of the Mississippi. Going to the Mississippi was on my bucket list because at one time there was no Bureau of Reclamation Projects on the East side of the Mississippi.

But back to “Standing at the foot of History.” A few years ago I realized that we were losing the history of the Grand Coulee Dam Area. Roger stated he regrets not having the time to wander among the graves of Arlington. Have you every taken the time to wander among the 2100 headstones of Spring Canyon? Here are soldiers from almost every war; past mayors of the towns that helped build what we have here, council members that volunteered their time to settle this area, children that were taken from us way to early, pioneers and farmers that settled these towns. There are members and president of most of the volunteer organizations. Roger as everyone has relatives buried all over the United States. You may not be able to visit each and every grave yard but there is a way to you can tie your family tree together. Findagrave you can make sure that your loved ones everyplace in the world has their history written and tied together. Help complete the job of making sure every one of the 2100 residents of Spring Canyon has a Bio of them - a picture and some ties to their parents, grandparents and etc. Need help contact me? (www.findagrave.com)

Grand Coulee Dam area is home to, the first catalog Sears store was told be in started in Grand Coulee Dam Area; the first HMO medical system was started at the Dam. Everyone thought Vlachos sat in his lawn chair and waved to people passing because he was friendly, as you read his history we had one of the first peaceful protest, Vlachos was protesting gas cars. Our first lawyer was a member of the Eliot Ness’s untouchables and helped put Al Capone in prison. The monument that was built to honor the people killed on the original dam was not paid for so the monument builder came with guns in the dark of night and took it back to Colville where it now stands. Mason City was billed as the only all electric cities in the United States. We had some of the first moon rocks stored in Grand Coulee Dam for years. The first school in this part of Washington State was established next GC. The School Adm building was built to represent FDR’s Summer white house.

Visit the Coulee Pioneer in Museum and spend an afternoon learning the history of the Grand Coulee Dam Area. You don’t have to travel during this tender time. Teach your children there is more that Grand Coulee Dam and things to do here. I have one more thing on my bucket list outside the area after the Covis19 - visit the national Purple Heart Hall of Honor is New Windsor, NY where my father is honored. But most of my time here is spent to promote the history of the area and hope that more people is the area would help with this project. Thanks to the Gerards for donating a home for the Museum.

Birdie Hensley