110 years ago (1907)

A city councilman complains of all the garbage being dumped from the Lawrence Street bridge across Kah Tai Lagoon and the “rats are in swarms.”

100 years ago (1917)

Workmen engaged in digging out gravel from a pit on the farm of William Bishop of Chimacum yesterday found a small gold nugget valued at $3. It is claimed that numerous small nuggets of this type have been found in Chimacum Valley in past years by residents of that section.

90 years ago (1927)

A couple from Jamestown didn’t stop near Discovery Bay for a car resembling the one reportedly being driven by escapee bandits, and their car was hit by a charge of buckshot from a prohibition shotgun before the case of mistaken identity was determined. The bandits were indeed caught later.

80 years ago (1937)

Four children have been bitten by dogs in Port Townsend during recent weeks, and Chief Willestoft announces that the police department will begin “rounding up and exterminating all unlicensed animals.”

60 years ago (1957)

The Coast Guard skipper of CG-83453 tows a 30-foot sailboat out of shallow water in a gale off the Shell Oil pier.

35 years ago (1982)

“Developers Bill Sperry and Neil Slater’s crusade to save some trees along State Highway 20, combined with a Jefferson County policy to maintain greenbelt areas along highway has kicked up a rumpus with the local district of the state Department of Transportation.”

The business community wants “Port Townsend to be known as a regional shopping center with historical flavor.”

The Rhododendron Festival introduces a trike race, sponsored by Sea Galley restaurant, for both kids and adults.

20 years ago (1997)

“Despite the serious concerns of some tenants, the Port of Port Townsend could begin negotiations with Rowley Corporation for management of Point Hudson.” The current lease of the port’s Point Hudson properties was signed in 1969 and expires in 2002.

Courtney Caldwell is crowned Rhododendron Festival queen for 1997, with Piper Corbett-Gruye and Jennifer Delaney as princesses.

The City of Port Townsend is preparing for a third season of operating a youth recreation program after Jefferson County had bowed out of funding.

The Jefferson County Coed Softball League is primed for a season with 23 teams: Lewis Plumbing, Chimacum Dairy, Pacific Propane, Blue Skies, R&D Nursery, Hilltop Tavern, Ice Cream Express, The Udder Team/Fountain Fitness, Alaska Power & Telephone, Storm Presentations, Port Townsend Paper Corp., Port Townsend Fire Department, DARE, Sirens Pub, San Juan Baptist Church, Quimper Credit Union, The Disorderlies, Frank’s Auto, Port Townsend Police, RJ Kids and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.

(Compiled by Patrick J. Sullivan. Sources: Leader Collection; Jefferson County Historical Society Museum and Research Center, 13692 Airport Cutoff Road, Port Townsend; Jefferson County Historical Society, 379-6673, jchsmuseum.org; jchswa.org, the online search site)