A Peek at the Past
This album depicts the R.R. Grove family. A pioneer family who joined forces with several other families that built the little city of Deer Park out of the wilderness.
For many years this sign welcomed the natives into the store.
The long long stairway led to dental and medical offices over the years.
Showcasing the upper level is the PAVILLION. Social functions of every nature from weddings to dances to operas graced this expansive room.
This huge banner estimated to have been produced about the time electricity was brought to Deer Park drapes the stage.
On one side the Pavillion and four offices on the other which was the street side. Doctors, and professionals. This is where Dr. Glenn Snider set up his office when he first came to Deer Park, I pity the poor soles that were hurting and had to negotiate that set of stairs.
It has been a number of years since this Pavillion was heated. But just in case they want to have a dance!!!!! Here is a little sentimental journey. Eddie Olson, oldest resident of Clayton said just prior to our visit, a bit misty eyed he said, "The very first dance I had with Lucille was in this dance hall. Eddie and Lucille spent the rest of her life together.
For many years, the lower-level of this building was where the R. R. Grove department store was located. In this corner store where you are viewing the back half of the building contained at least two different drugstores over a period of time.
This is the front half of the same corner store in which the last occupant was the Gateway Conservatory Music Store. A new storefront was installed about a year and a half ago. Etta May Bennett, front left, holds the Deer Park History Book that Nancy Fisher and she wrote in 1970. Etta May and Nancy were long time teachers in the Deer Park School District
This drugstore, undoubtedly, the very first one in Deer Park is very well stocked and it also appears because of the tables it also afforded a good old-fashioned soda fountain.
Way back in those days there were no misgivings about a sign that wished you a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
One of the stage doors gives testament to a bit of levity
These Deer Park Pine Presto logs lying in wait for the next New Years Eve dance. You may hear the faint strains of the Waltz you saved for me and the curtain call "Auld Lang Zyne"
And you thought this place wasn't first cabin.
THE TEST. If you could negotiate this flight of stairs Dr. Snider proclaimed you fit & sent you down the trail.
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This solid brick building set a precident of just how to build a structure that stands the test of time.
Don Ball examines an old wood and coal heater dating back into the estimated 1920s or 1930s.
This tiny wood-coal stove was one of the heat scources for this estimated 70x70 foot square pavillion.
This is Gordon Grove, son of Robert Willis and Jo Grove. Gordon holds a portion of a presto log made at Deer Park Pine Industries.
If one made it up the longest of long stairways you got the privilege of stepping up to this neat little ticket window.
Out the rear window we spotted this old building. Mr. Gordon Grove identified it as the old Creamery. This is where dairy products were brought and sold or in some instances traded. Eggs, poultry, milk and cream. Some cream was sweet and generally in the summer it was sour. In those early days sour cream was used to churn butter. Now days you can't buy sour cream butter. It was by far the best. In the 30s the only weekly income for many farmers was a five gallon can of cream. It may have brought $5.00. Mother got some to buy groceries. Dad had to have money to buy rivits to mend the harness because the team broke away from the water trough and ran till the harness was torn up. Oh, and each of the kids got a penny or two for candy. Maybe even a nickle to go to the Saturday movie. Saturday afternoon or evening was the day the farmers went to town. Every store and bussiness was open all hours till the movie was out. Then they loaded up the buggy or the Model T and broke for home.
This would appear to be just another old piano stored away for safekeeping,but this piano has quite a history. Some time in the mid-1930s Mr. Robert Willis Grove graduated from Deer Park high school. As a lasting memory to his Alma Mater he bought and donated this very piano for the auditorium located across Crawford Street from the high school. The auditorium served as the gymnasium and many school functions, including dances. Junior Proms and Senior Balls just to name a few. Mr. Grove recognized the need for a piano. Thus this very piano remained until the school district sold it to the City of Deer Park. Many items were auctioned off at that time, including the piano. The daughter of Robert Willis Groves was a successful bidder, thus keeping it in the Grove family. This piano has a wonderful deep tone. As an example I recall, the Class of '49 preparing for the junior prom. While decorating Betty Stansberry played some of the most beautiful music you'll ever want to hear. I wish we could hear this piano just one more time.
A little electric oven, probably made in nine teen 20s or 30s.
This cash register somehow showed up in Deer Park, but it was actually one of the original cash registers from the Crescent Department store in downtown Spokane, Washington.
Bill Sebright taking a shot of 7UP.
Dr. Glenn Sniders office.
A little memento to honor the Old Settlers who accepted the challange.
Our friend and President, Bill Sebright showed great pleasure having climbed the stairway to success.
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