This page is a combination of photos from Ray O’Keef, the Bamontes, the Valley Historical Society, and the CDPHS.
This album is dedicated to Mr. Ray O'Keefe, born in Northport, WA, in May of 1918. Soon the O'Keefe family moved to Colville where his parents, Clyde and Jessie, raised their eight children and worked in the huge timber stands of northern Stevens County. When they weren't bringing logs out of the mountains by wagon, sled or down river, they were building their new log homes. The following photographs depict the life of a logging pioneer family.
This is a Bamonte photo. Mr. Ray O'Keefe still lives in Spokane, Washinton. He will celebrate his 90th birthday this May 2008. One of the first quetions I asked was, "How were they able to keep those wagons from getting away on them on steep grades?" His answer, "They attached blocks to the rear wheels which prevented the wheels from turning."
Mr. O'Keefe and his hired man whip sawing ( Rip) lumber.
The Pole Cat. An original replaced by a Bamonte picture because I lost the original.
This Chewelah cabin was built in 1868 as the Colville Indian Agency. It was purchased from the U. S. Government in 1901 by Dr. S. P. McPherson. It was used as a doctor’s office for many years. Then it became a private residence. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Photo by Anni Sebright.
A perfect picture? A perfect Postcard? A perfect Painting of Pre Auto, just plain and simple Pioneers in perfect Chewelah Wa. USA.
This dam was built to back water up stream to enable the river crew to float the huge log booms down stream to the Winslow Lumber Mill at Orlin.
Jessie supplying a nice string of fish for supper.
TOM SHEALOCK. No story on this man to date.
Close to a twenty horse combine. This almost looks like a day off compared to life working in the woods.
This is Mr. Ray OKeef and his little Brother who passed away at a very young age.
Mr. Mervin Mounce in his 1932 Service Station in the stately town of Kettle Falls WA.
St. Joeseph Catholic Church circa 1930. Notice the changes to the building over 20 years.
In the following few pages we want you to join us in the most professional tour of this Website. TORNADO CREEK PUBLICATIONS.
Columbia River, Lake Roosevelt, October 3, 2009. This photo was taken from the Evans quarry area above the Evans Campground.
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Ray's folks, Jessie and Clyde, hired help to make flooring, window, door jambs and doors for their new log cabin in the wilderness north of Deep Lake.
The O'Keefe's log home nearing completion.
This was Clyde's Ford truck. The very first one in the area.
This crew, armed with their peevees ready for action on the Little Pend Orielle River near Orin Wa. Northwest of Clayton.
Huge log Booms backed way up river.
Back to the early days of settlers, the O'Keefe family proving up the homestead. Jessie is standing guard with a rifle across her lap.
Just another day at the office.
A Tornado Creek Publications photo replacing an O'Keefe. Ray thinks his Dad was pointing a finger at Jessie and saying, "OK, Honey, you shot it, you clean it."
At long last, a day of rest and relaxation. What's a picnic without fried chicken, fresh biscuits, dill pickles, potato salad, a pot of coffee brewed over an open fire, and perhaps a spot of white lightning.
This episode with the revenuers might put a crimp in parties.
Hauling a load of logs out of the hills must have been challanging, whether wagon or sled.
Mrs. O'Keefe and her perfect matched team.
Kulzer's Mercantile shown here not long after it was built in 1908. You can still see the 1908 on the building today. The Heritage Network met upstairs in this building in July of 2009. This store as been the center of Valley, WA, for over 100 years. Thank you to Jackie Franks and Valley Hisorical Society.
St. Joeseph Catholic Church above Valley, WA, May 10, 1909.
This is the oldest school picture known to exist in the State of Washington. If Memory serves me it was 1881 in North Eastern WA.
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