August in the Yakima Valley has consistently marked a period of significant historical events, shaping the region’s unique trajectory from its nascent stages through the early 20th century. This month, in particular, saw a confluence of pioneering achievements, foundational civic developments, and intriguing anecdotes that collectively paint a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs faced by Pacific Northwest pioneers.
One remarkable tale from this period recounts the extraordinary cross-country automobile journey undertaken by Mr. Mark William Pennington, President of the Yakima Automobile Club, accompanied by his wife Minnie and their two children. Departing Yakima on June 4, 1915, the family embarked on an ambitious 3,834-mile trek, returning triumphantly on August 5. Averaging approximately 150 miles daily, their two-month and one-day expedition, which included visits to distant states like Mississippi and Minnesota, underscored the burgeoning spirit of adventure and and the transformative impact of early automotive travel on American life.
Concurrently, a pivotal moment in the local legal landscape unfolded with the official formation of the Yakima County Bar Association. Attorneys across the valley convened at the Yakima County Courthouse, recognizing the growing need for a structured professional body. During this formative August meeting, prominent city attorney Mr. Ira P. Englehart was designated temporary chairman, with Mr. Thomas E. Grady assuming the role of temporary secretary. Their appointments were interim, pending a subsequent September gathering for the adoption of organizational bylaws and the election of permanent officers, signifying a crucial step in formalizing legal practice in the burgeoning region.
A more unusual, yet equally captivating, local historical event involved Mr. William H. Kershaw, a resident of the Naches area. While attending to his cattle on the Sinclair Ranch, Kershaw encountered a black bear and its cub. After a pursuit, he managed to shoot the cub twice, then courageously dismounted and held it down until assistance arrived. The cub was subsequently brought back to North Yakima and conspicuously chained to a post outside the People’s Meat Market, which Mr. Kershaw owned. Despite the dramatic encounter, he reportedly sustained only minor scratches, adding a colorful, albeit controversial, chapter to Yakima Valley history.
Adding to the month’s notable occurrences was the reported discovery of petroleum in an unspecified location within the Natchez Pass region. Prospectors, dispatched by Mr. Paul Schulze of the Northern Pacific Railway Company, had made the find, hinting at potential industrial development and economic prosperity for the county. The exact details of this significant discovery were initially withheld from the public, sparking considerable local speculation about the future resource wealth of the Yakima Valley.
Perhaps one of the most enduring August milestones in the region’s development was the establishment of the first St. Elizabeth Hospital. On August 2, 1891, the Sisters of Charity of Providence opened the hospital in the leased Louderbach home, situated at the northeast corner of E. Yakima and Naches Avenues. Paying a modest $12 monthly rent, the seven-room wooden structure was equipped to accommodate 13 patients. Sister M. Hercule and Sister John the Evangelist were instrumental in opening its doors, with Dr. T. B. Gunn serving as the hospital’s inaugural physician, even performing its first surgery—a leg amputation on a kitchen table—approximately four months later, highlighting the rudimentary yet vital healthcare infrastructure of the time.
These diverse early 20th century occurrences, ranging from pioneering journeys and civic organization to remarkable wildlife encounters, nascent resource discoveries, and the critical establishment of healthcare facilities, collectively underscore the dynamic growth and evolving societal fabric of the Yakima Valley. Each event, in its own distinct way, contributed to the rich tapestry of the region’s past, leaving an indelible mark on its heritage and the lives of its inhabitants.
