BlackDiamond
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make this my neighborhood and we'll show you this page every time you visit.Friday, May 17, 2013 -- 7:19 am
Mass Transit Circa 1904 & 1905
Black Diamond Now - Stage coaches here in the northwest? Apparently so. The following photo taken in 1904 shows the Parks Stage that served the Redmond - Kirkland route. Photo courtesy of the Eastside Heritage Center, ORL 79.79.2, circa 1904 Judging from the following photo taken just one year later, Bothell stage service set the standard for being "modern". Photo courtesy of Bothell Historical Museum and University of Washington Libraries, circa 1905 King County Metro would drool over these ridership numbers. No empty seats here. Read more...
Mass Transit Circa 1904 & 1905
Black Diamond Now - Stage coaches here in the northwest? Apparently so. The following photo taken in 1904 shows the Parks Stage that served the Redmond - Kirkland route. Photo courtesy of the Eastside Heritage Center, ORL 79.79.2, circa 1904 Judging from the following photo taken just one year later, Bothell stage service set the standard for being "modern". Photo courtesy of Bothell Historical Museum and University of Washington Libraries, circa 1905 King County Metro would drool over these ridership numbers. No empty seats here. Read more...
Thursday, May 16, 2013 -- 6:54 am
More High Lead Logging Pics
Black Diamond Now - Earlier this week, I did a post about high lead logging and how this proved to be an important technological breakthrough for the timber industry here in the northwest. Following are some more pictures taken in the early 1900's. This first photo shows a donkey engine used by the Neukirchen brothers for their operations here around Lake Sawyer. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Clark Kinsey photographer The following photo shows a donkey engine used in Ravensdale. Look how nicely cut their wood fuel was. Spar tree in the background. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Darius Kinsey... Read more...
More High Lead Logging Pics
Black Diamond Now - Earlier this week, I did a post about high lead logging and how this proved to be an important technological breakthrough for the timber industry here in the northwest. Following are some more pictures taken in the early 1900's. This first photo shows a donkey engine used by the Neukirchen brothers for their operations here around Lake Sawyer. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Clark Kinsey photographer The following photo shows a donkey engine used in Ravensdale. Look how nicely cut their wood fuel was. Spar tree in the background. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Darius Kinsey... Read more...
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 -- 7:18 am
Sewer Rate Trends - Burdened by Debt
Black Diamond Now - As a member of the King County Regional Water Quality Committee, I regularly receive updates regarding planned future sewer rates. Hardly a sexy topic but a big deal budget item none the less. In Black Diamond, our sewer rates include two cost factors - first is the costs our city incurs to deliver City sewage to King County collection mains (in City sewer mains and pump station maintenance) and then second, the cost charged by King County for processing this sewage. As a result of past County Council decisions, primarily a decision to fund the new Brightwater Treatment Facility, King... Read more...
Sewer Rate Trends - Burdened by Debt
Black Diamond Now - As a member of the King County Regional Water Quality Committee, I regularly receive updates regarding planned future sewer rates. Hardly a sexy topic but a big deal budget item none the less. In Black Diamond, our sewer rates include two cost factors - first is the costs our city incurs to deliver City sewage to King County collection mains (in City sewer mains and pump station maintenance) and then second, the cost charged by King County for processing this sewage. As a result of past County Council decisions, primarily a decision to fund the new Brightwater Treatment Facility, King... Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 7:11 am
High Lead Logging - Technology Breakthrough Circa 1904
Black Diamond Now - If I were to identify the single biggest "technological breakthrough" here in the northwest during the early 1900's, it would have to be High Lead Logging. The problem for the logging industry at the time was that the trees were so big and so heavy, how to get them from forest to mill. The following schematic illustrates the principles: You needed cables, a power source to winch these cables, tree stumps for anchorage and a big tall spar tree. Finding tree stumps to provide anchorage was no problem. Finding big tall spar trees, such as the one shown in the... Read more...
High Lead Logging - Technology Breakthrough Circa 1904
Black Diamond Now - If I were to identify the single biggest "technological breakthrough" here in the northwest during the early 1900's, it would have to be High Lead Logging. The problem for the logging industry at the time was that the trees were so big and so heavy, how to get them from forest to mill. The following schematic illustrates the principles: You needed cables, a power source to winch these cables, tree stumps for anchorage and a big tall spar tree. Finding tree stumps to provide anchorage was no problem. Finding big tall spar trees, such as the one shown in the... Read more...
Monday, May 13, 2013 -- 7:18 am
Enumclaw Public Schools Circa 1915
Black Diamond Now - School buses dating back to the early 1900's? Apparently so. Enumclaw School District 170 had the most modern of student transportation in 1915 as shown in the photo that follows. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, UW28283z, R.C. Urie photographer, circa 1915 Where did school districts get the money to pay for such expensive vehicles back then? State funding? Even the buildings look first rate including Enumclaw High School in 1909. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, WAS0293, Pierson & Co. photographers, circa 1909 And judging from the following photo of a handball court constructed at the Jr.... Read more...
Enumclaw Public Schools Circa 1915
Black Diamond Now - School buses dating back to the early 1900's? Apparently so. Enumclaw School District 170 had the most modern of student transportation in 1915 as shown in the photo that follows. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, UW28283z, R.C. Urie photographer, circa 1915 Where did school districts get the money to pay for such expensive vehicles back then? State funding? Even the buildings look first rate including Enumclaw High School in 1909. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, WAS0293, Pierson & Co. photographers, circa 1909 And judging from the following photo of a handball court constructed at the Jr.... Read more...
Friday, May 10, 2013 -- 7:18 am
Duwamish River Superfund Site Cleanup - Update
Black Diamond Now - Our King County Regional Water Quality Committee recently received a briefing by staff about the status of cleaning up the Duwamish River Superfund sites. Following years of studies, meetings, negotiations and political wrestling, EPA has now released its Proposed Cleanup Plan based on the so called "preferred alternative". Public comment will continue to be heard thru June 13. The first thing to know is that there is NO FUND to cleanup Superfund sites. Funding for cleanup efforts are the responsibility of the primary historical contributors, including King County, the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle and the Boeing Company.... Read more...
Duwamish River Superfund Site Cleanup - Update
Black Diamond Now - Our King County Regional Water Quality Committee recently received a briefing by staff about the status of cleaning up the Duwamish River Superfund sites. Following years of studies, meetings, negotiations and political wrestling, EPA has now released its Proposed Cleanup Plan based on the so called "preferred alternative". Public comment will continue to be heard thru June 13. The first thing to know is that there is NO FUND to cleanup Superfund sites. Funding for cleanup efforts are the responsibility of the primary historical contributors, including King County, the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle and the Boeing Company.... Read more...
Thursday, May 9, 2013 -- 7:11 am
Tinsmithing
Black Diamond Now - I recently ran across a photo of Division Street in downtown Auburn from the early 1900's and couldn't help but notice one of the storefront signs advertising a Tin Shop. We don't see that anymore. Photo courtesy of White River Valley Museum and University of Washington Libraries, image no. 490, circa 1908 Remembering our past visits to Colonial Williamsburg, where tinsmiths demonstrated their trade for the tourists, I decided to learn a bit more. As a metal, tin offers some real advantages. It's light weight, fairly strong, doesn't puncture easily, won't tarnish in the air and is proof against liquids... Read more...
Tinsmithing
Black Diamond Now - I recently ran across a photo of Division Street in downtown Auburn from the early 1900's and couldn't help but notice one of the storefront signs advertising a Tin Shop. We don't see that anymore. Photo courtesy of White River Valley Museum and University of Washington Libraries, image no. 490, circa 1908 Remembering our past visits to Colonial Williamsburg, where tinsmiths demonstrated their trade for the tourists, I decided to learn a bit more. As a metal, tin offers some real advantages. It's light weight, fairly strong, doesn't puncture easily, won't tarnish in the air and is proof against liquids... Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 7:08 am
Soos Creek Hatchery - Then & Now
Black Diamond Now - While exploring the Soos Creek Natural Area and current streamside restoration efforts (featured in yesterday's post), we stopped by the hatchery to see what was happening and were treated to a personal tour of facilities by hatchery staff. Very fun. As it turns out, the Soos Creek Hatchery facility is among the oldest in the state having begun operation in 1901. The following photo shows the facility as it was back then. Photo courtesy of the White River Valley Museum, PO-00244A-B, circa 1901 The facility today looks much the same as it did in 1950. Photo courtesy of the White... Read more...
Soos Creek Hatchery - Then & Now
Black Diamond Now - While exploring the Soos Creek Natural Area and current streamside restoration efforts (featured in yesterday's post), we stopped by the hatchery to see what was happening and were treated to a personal tour of facilities by hatchery staff. Very fun. As it turns out, the Soos Creek Hatchery facility is among the oldest in the state having begun operation in 1901. The following photo shows the facility as it was back then. Photo courtesy of the White River Valley Museum, PO-00244A-B, circa 1901 The facility today looks much the same as it did in 1950. Photo courtesy of the White... Read more...
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 -- 9:12 pm
Former Skyline athlete Luke Marquardt signs with 49ers | NW Briefs
Seattle Times - ... a tight end into an offensive tackle, and he was invited to February's NFL combine. Zach Wright, a junior from Black Diamond, pitched five scoreless innings as Washington beat Seattle University 7-2 at Husky Ballpark. Wright (2-4) was making just ... Read more...
Former Skyline athlete Luke Marquardt signs with 49ers | NW Briefs
Seattle Times - ... a tight end into an offensive tackle, and he was invited to February's NFL combine. Zach Wright, a junior from Black Diamond, pitched five scoreless innings as Washington beat Seattle University 7-2 at Husky Ballpark. Wright (2-4) was making just ... Read more...
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 -- 7:03 am
Streamside Restoration - Soos Creek Hatchery Natural Area
Black Diamond Now - The above photo taken at the Soos Creek Hatchery Natural Area shows some of the progress being made in removing stream side invasives and planting new trees to replace them. For reference, Soos Creek is a major tributary of the Green River and an important salmon and steelhead bearing stream. Ravensdale Creek, Lake Sawyer and Covington Creek all drain into Soos Creek. Protecting water quality here serves to enhance our local upstream fishery. As we look at water quality sampling results throughout the watershed, two issues stand out where improvement is most needed - temperatures should be lower and dissolved... Read more...
Streamside Restoration - Soos Creek Hatchery Natural Area
Black Diamond Now - The above photo taken at the Soos Creek Hatchery Natural Area shows some of the progress being made in removing stream side invasives and planting new trees to replace them. For reference, Soos Creek is a major tributary of the Green River and an important salmon and steelhead bearing stream. Ravensdale Creek, Lake Sawyer and Covington Creek all drain into Soos Creek. Protecting water quality here serves to enhance our local upstream fishery. As we look at water quality sampling results throughout the watershed, two issues stand out where improvement is most needed - temperatures should be lower and dissolved... Read more...
Monday, May 6, 2013 -- 7:02 am
Hiking to Lake Twentytwo
Black Diamond Now - On a beautiful May day what better to do than go hiking. So last Friday Judy and I headed off to hike the trail to Lake Twentytwo - just east of Granite Falls along the Mountain Loop Highway. Even though we found snow at the top, it was shirt sleeves all the way. And the views once there are spectacular. The lake is nestled into the base of Mount Pilchuck and its sheer northern face. One can see where avalanches fall here on a regular basis (on the opposite side of the lake). The expanse is so large and up... Read more...
Hiking to Lake Twentytwo
Black Diamond Now - On a beautiful May day what better to do than go hiking. So last Friday Judy and I headed off to hike the trail to Lake Twentytwo - just east of Granite Falls along the Mountain Loop Highway. Even though we found snow at the top, it was shirt sleeves all the way. And the views once there are spectacular. The lake is nestled into the base of Mount Pilchuck and its sheer northern face. One can see where avalanches fall here on a regular basis (on the opposite side of the lake). The expanse is so large and up... Read more...
Friday, May 3, 2013 -- 12:01 pm
Featured Event: Friends of Black Diamond Library Plant Sale
Patch.com - The 46 th Annual Black Diamond Library Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Black Diamond Community Center, located at 31605 Third Avenue, Black Diamond. Read more...
Featured Event: Friends of Black Diamond Library Plant Sale
Patch.com - The 46 th Annual Black Diamond Library Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Black Diamond Community Center, located at 31605 Third Avenue, Black Diamond. Read more...
Friday, May 3, 2013 -- 9:03 am
Local athlete's $3,900 bike stolen from Burien home Thursday
The Waterland Blog - ... was just starting to get into the longer distances - I had planned to do a 4 hour ride this weekend to Black Diamond. The Merlin had the smoothest shifting system especially on tough hills. Just last month I spent two hours with a bike technicial ... Read more...
Local athlete's $3,900 bike stolen from Burien home Thursday
The Waterland Blog - ... was just starting to get into the longer distances - I had planned to do a 4 hour ride this weekend to Black Diamond. The Merlin had the smoothest shifting system especially on tough hills. Just last month I spent two hours with a bike technicial ... Read more...
Thursday, May 2, 2013 -- 7:24 am
Log Chutes
Black Diamond Now - Of all the challenges faced by early loggers, transportation was perhaps the most vexing. Huge trees that could be felled and bucked but how to get them to a mill. Extending rail to all of these vast timberlands was simply not practical in many cases. Skid roads were one option but required oxen or horses. Why not use gravity? The following photo shows a log chute once used near the old ghost town of Taylor. Photo courtesy of the Maple Valley Historical Society and University of Washington Libraries, no. 85.126.1, n.d. Once a log was moved into the chute, it... Read more...
Log Chutes
Black Diamond Now - Of all the challenges faced by early loggers, transportation was perhaps the most vexing. Huge trees that could be felled and bucked but how to get them to a mill. Extending rail to all of these vast timberlands was simply not practical in many cases. Skid roads were one option but required oxen or horses. Why not use gravity? The following photo shows a log chute once used near the old ghost town of Taylor. Photo courtesy of the Maple Valley Historical Society and University of Washington Libraries, no. 85.126.1, n.d. Once a log was moved into the chute, it... Read more...
Thursday, May 2, 2013 -- 6:39 am
Healthcare Professional: Mental Illness Not Statistically Linked to Violence
Patch.com - ... one-on-one support locally, making those available at each of the senior centers in Enumclaw, Buckley and Black Diamond and improving on the connections between the centers, would be helpful. Better communication with King County as well as with ... Read more...
Healthcare Professional: Mental Illness Not Statistically Linked to Violence
Patch.com - ... one-on-one support locally, making those available at each of the senior centers in Enumclaw, Buckley and Black Diamond and improving on the connections between the centers, would be helpful. Better communication with King County as well as with ... Read more...
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 -- 7:08 am
Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad circa 1880
Black Diamond Now - Once again, I find myself venturing into history where I know very little, relying on blog followers out there to help fill in the blanks. In the process, I have learned a lot and thanks for your help and patience. Previously, I focused on the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad (C&PS) and what a huge impact this railroad had on the development of our community here in Black Diamond. Kind of chicken or egg scenerio, what came first - the railroad or the coal? Fortunately, we had both. And here we have the AA Denny locomotive named after one of... Read more...
Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad circa 1880
Black Diamond Now - Once again, I find myself venturing into history where I know very little, relying on blog followers out there to help fill in the blanks. In the process, I have learned a lot and thanks for your help and patience. Previously, I focused on the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad (C&PS) and what a huge impact this railroad had on the development of our community here in Black Diamond. Kind of chicken or egg scenerio, what came first - the railroad or the coal? Fortunately, we had both. And here we have the AA Denny locomotive named after one of... Read more...
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 -- 4:19 pm
KCLS Events at the Enumclaw and Black Diamond Libraries in May
Patch.com - ... Thursday, May 9, 2pm Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions. Black Diamond Library | 24707 Roberts Drive, Black Diamond 98010 | 360.886.1105 Children & Families Seals and Eels and Pirate Ship Sails ... Read more...
KCLS Events at the Enumclaw and Black Diamond Libraries in May
Patch.com - ... Thursday, May 9, 2pm Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions. Black Diamond Library | 24707 Roberts Drive, Black Diamond 98010 | 360.886.1105 Children & Families Seals and Eels and Pirate Ship Sails ... Read more...
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 -- 7:17 am
Finding Beauty Everywhere - A Lesson Learned
Black Diamond Now - Always eager to explore new natural areas, particularly those that link to our region's history, I headed off last week to the Black River Riparian Forest and Wetlands that is located in Renton. You may recall that the Black River once connected Lake Washington and the Cedar river to the Duwamish river and was dammed as part of building the ship canal to Seattle and Elliott Bay. To say that I was disappointed when I got there would be an understatement. Quite frankly, I was repulsed. It looked like a cess pool. Scum on the surface and dirty brown. Then... Read more...
Finding Beauty Everywhere - A Lesson Learned
Black Diamond Now - Always eager to explore new natural areas, particularly those that link to our region's history, I headed off last week to the Black River Riparian Forest and Wetlands that is located in Renton. You may recall that the Black River once connected Lake Washington and the Cedar river to the Duwamish river and was dammed as part of building the ship canal to Seattle and Elliott Bay. To say that I was disappointed when I got there would be an understatement. Quite frankly, I was repulsed. It looked like a cess pool. Scum on the surface and dirty brown. Then... Read more...
Monday, April 29, 2013 -- 7:12 am
Washington Mining & Milling Co. Copper Mine circa 1899
Black Diamond Now - While hiking the Ipsut Creek Trail last week we stumbled across a side trail with a sign labeled Washington Mining and Milling Co. mine 0.25 miles. The sign doesn't tell you that the trail is straight uphill but no worries. As you can see, the mine entrance is now barricaded but rail track still remains. Looks like pretty hard rock to me. Couldn't have been easy digging. Although this is along the Carbon River where there were many coal mines in the late 1800's and early 1900's, from Wilkeson and Carbonado to Fairfax, we were not aware that there were... Read more...
Washington Mining & Milling Co. Copper Mine circa 1899
Black Diamond Now - While hiking the Ipsut Creek Trail last week we stumbled across a side trail with a sign labeled Washington Mining and Milling Co. mine 0.25 miles. The sign doesn't tell you that the trail is straight uphill but no worries. As you can see, the mine entrance is now barricaded but rail track still remains. Looks like pretty hard rock to me. Couldn't have been easy digging. Although this is along the Carbon River where there were many coal mines in the late 1800's and early 1900's, from Wilkeson and Carbonado to Fairfax, we were not aware that there were... Read more...
Friday, April 26, 2013 -- 7:20 am
Hiking the Ipsut Creek Trails
Black Diamond Now - Fortunately we had planned a hike for Wednesday and the weather turned out to be glorious. We chose one of our old favorites - Ipsut Creek located at the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. At one time, you could drive all the way to the Ipsut Creek campgrounds but no longer. The Carbon River continues to chart its own course and the old road has been subject to numerous wash-outs. No direct views of the mountain from here, but plenty of beautiful scenery. The Carbon River is typically very cloudy from glacier melt but not today. As... Read more...
Hiking the Ipsut Creek Trails
Black Diamond Now - Fortunately we had planned a hike for Wednesday and the weather turned out to be glorious. We chose one of our old favorites - Ipsut Creek located at the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. At one time, you could drive all the way to the Ipsut Creek campgrounds but no longer. The Carbon River continues to chart its own course and the old road has been subject to numerous wash-outs. No direct views of the mountain from here, but plenty of beautiful scenery. The Carbon River is typically very cloudy from glacier melt but not today. As... Read more...
upcoming events
| 2nd Annual Wings of Karen 5K Bra Dash Lake Wilderness Park |
| Maple Valley Writers Maple Valley Library (meeting room) |
| 2013 Garden Tour to Benefit the Care Van Countryr Farm & Feed |
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