Spring has definitely sprung in Winlock, we had great weather this past week. This is when I appreciate living in the Northwest. With the opening of the Winlock Historical Museum from its winter slumber, I thought it was time for a little bit of history of Winlock. The Museum will open on May 1 and be available Wednesdays from noon to 4:30 p.m. It had been a while since I have read the history and when I do I always find it quite interesting. Bill Wall wrote the history and I hope many of you enjoy it as much as I have over the years!
1871 - Christoppher C. Pagett was the first settler in Winlock. Pagett bought 80 acres from the U.S. Government on the east side of the proposed railroad track. In July 23, 1871 A.J. Flesher married Nancy Broshears.
1872 - Jack Nealy rode his horse into Winlock, all the way from Georgia. He filed a homestead right on the land west of the proposed railroad track . Jack Nealy married Gertrude Broshears. There is a stone in the local cemetery showing the date of death as 1872. Railroad arrived in the Twin Cities (Centralia and Chehalis) from Kalama, Oregon. In 1872 “Saundersville” was changed to Chehalis and became the county seat.
In 1872 an earthquake of magnitude 7.4 hit the area.
1873 - Christopher C. Pagett was appointed postmaster, and the office moved into what is now Winlock, and the name of the office changed to Winlock.
On Dec 16, 1873 the railroad line from Kalama to Tacoma was completed. On Dec 27, 1873, Chrisopher Pagett filed with the County Auditor the orignal plot of the area in the present business district and he named it Winlock. The town was named after Winlock Miller, eldest son of General William Winlock Miller. Miller’s wife’s maiden name was also Winlock. The family gave the town a bell for the school. Mr Pagett was good friends of the Miller family. Both had been Indian War fighters. An affidavit by Mr. Miller stated:
Whereas, on the 17th day of November 1873, General W.W. Miller of Olympia, Washington Territory, having been asked to give a name to the place, then known as Grand Prairie, did on the day above written submit the following name, “WINLOCK,” in the words following, to wit. “If however you should fancy the name, and adopt it, I will agree to give a nice bell to the church or schoolhouse, that is built in the town.”
Activities:
Timberland Regional Library early release this Wednesday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. for grades 1 -12 featuring Arts and Crafts. Then, on Thursday from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Page Turners review “Ramona Quimby Age 8” by Beverly Cleary, for Grades 1 – 3. And on Saturday from 2-3:30 p.m., continued series on Apocalype Survivors Group, Grades 4 -12.
Farmers Market starts in Winlock on April 23, time to support our local farmers.
The Winlock Community Club is having the 50th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Winolequa Park this Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., there will be a lot of prizes.
Winlock Methodist is having their Maundy Thursday Communion Service on April 17th at 6 p.m., simple meal to follow, everyone is welcome!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bobby Haines who was recently in Centralia Hospital, best wishes for a speedy recovery friend!