“This Month in Yakima Valley History” is a new monthly column prepared by Ellen Allmendinger.

The column will explore historical events in the Yakima Valley each month.

November 3, 1909: Japanese citizens of North Yakima gathered for a banquet at the Royal Café, located in the city’s former Chinatown at 24 S. First St. The gathering was to celebrate the 57th anniversary of the birth of the Mikado of Japan. For the occasion, American and Japanese flags were used to decorate the interior of the café. During the event, patriotic speeches relating to Japan and America were delivered by several leaders of the Japanese community.

November 4, 1928: Two unknown prisoners held in the southern portion of the Yakima City Jail, then located at 10 E. Walnut St., smuggled a can into the jail and modified it to use as a cooker to prepare coffee from coffee grounds. As he lit some paper and attempted to use the can as a stove, thick smoke soon filled the entire prison wing and basement. Authorities found the contraband can and coffee after ensuring the prison was secure and confiscated them. As punishment, no prisoner received coffee that evening.

November 5, 1908: A franchise was granted by Yakima County to MWF Longmire, giving it the right to construct a new independent telephone system connecting northern Yakima to the Selah and Wenas Valleys. Although the system was to be connected to the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Exchange in northern Yakima, it would only handle business in the Selah and Wenas areas, thus operating as the first company to do so.

November 12, 1908: The Knights of Columbus held a meeting with a special guest presenter. The Rev. Thomas Sherman, son of General Sherman, attended the meeting during his week-long stay in the city. At the meeting, Rev. Sherman shared his memories of visiting the area 30 years earlier with his father, who came to help establish forts. Encouraged by his presentation, the Knights of Columbus decided to support the actions of the Yakima Historical Society to preserve the Ahtanum mission by contributing to the funds initiated by Mr. Peter Eschbach.

November 14, 1890: During a crowded concert at the Yakima City School (now Union Gap), a lamp in the building fell and a fire broke out. While several men used various items of clothing to put out the flames, those present were able to escape safely through the door and windows. After the fire was extinguished, residents returned inside the building and the show continued, ultimately earning $58.50 after expenses for the school fund.

November 15, 1883: Mr. Peter S. Burke, who served in the 125th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, presided as chairman at a meeting of Civil War veterans members of the Grand Army of the Republic ( GAR) in the Yakima area. At the meeting, it was decided to create a new post for soldiers living in the area. As a result, Meade Post Encampment No. 9 of the GAR was formed, although its first official meeting would not take place until a month later.

November 17, 1916: Mr. John Prentice Mattoon, one of the early pioneers of the Yakima Valley, died at his home on S. Sixth Street, aged 82. Born in Ohio in 1833, Mr. Mattoon moved to Oregon City, Oregon, with his family around 1847. After marrying his wife Martha Hickenbotham in 1858, John moved with his family to Fort Simcoe where he was employed by the government . They then moved to the Parker Bottom area where he built the historic Mattoon Cabin in 1867. (The cabin is often called the “Sawyer Cabin” after W. P. Sawyer later purchased the property). According to his son, the Parker Bottom property was later deeded to him by a government patent signed by President Grant. After several years, Mr. Mattoon and his wife moved to North Yakima (now Yakima) where he opened a livery business on S. First Street until he retired for health reasons.

November 18, 1910: Efforts by Naches Grange members to help preserve the painted rocks on Powerhouse Road today officially began. In order to defend the interests of the site and the community, Grange members passed a resolution against merchants who placed signs on or near the Painted Rocks. Their intention was to preserve the beauty of the landscape and painted rocks while removing the various signs obstructing the beautiful views of the area.

November 22, 1890: The Sons of Union Veterans, a fraternal organization formed to preserve the history and legacy of veterans of the American Civil War, hosted a pork and bean supper at the Grand Army Hall of the Republic (GAR) located in the Lowe Building on the southwest corner of E. Yakima Avenue and First Street in Yakima.

General November Events in Yakima Valley History

November 1893: Claims that the Swiss Opera building was unsafe were circulating in the city. MAF Switzer, owner and builder of the building, responded publicly by inviting anyone concerned about the safety of the building to inspect it. He also expressed concerns that the rumors had seriously damaged the reputation of the building and his business. (Ironically, the Swiss Opera House still stands today. The integrity of Mr. Switzer’s ability to construct sturdy buildings can still be seen with those that remain standing, such as that of the Opera House, from the former Hotel of North Yakima and the Lund Building.)

November 1919: Just in time for the holiday baking season, an article in the Yakima Herald announced that Yakima’s sugar shortage was over. The Sunnyside and Toppenish sugar beet sugar factories had begun producing 15,000 bags of white sugar, and approximately 600 tons of beets were processed into sugar per day. Meanwhile, plans to dismantle and relocate the Union Gap sugar beet plant in Walla Walla have been put on hold.

November 1934: William Bridgman opened Upland Winery, south of Outlook, Washington. His winery was among the first wineries in Washington state to open after the end of Prohibition. Mr. Bridgman continued to operate the winery for more than two decades, until he sold it in 1960. The vines Mr. Bridgman originally planted for his wines were still producing grapes until their removal in 2017 .

• Ellen Allmendinger is a published author, freelance writer, researcher, speaker, tour guide, and mother. She is the author of four books, including her most recent, “We Went West”, published in 2023. In her previous professional life, after completing her degree in civil engineering technology, she worked for over 30 years as a engineering technician. for Yakima County.