An improvement program for Moses Lake was suggested in 1941. This indicates a community with growing pains. This isn’t a bad situation, but one which needs attention for the betterment of all. The Columbia Basin Irrigation Project was in its beginning phases and the city fathers knew Moses Lake was going to expand. Getting ahead of this expansion would be a smart move. Read on.

E-mail from Cheryl

Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:

From the Moses Lake Herald on Aug. 7, 1941:

Five-point program for Moses Lake

Suggested development program for the Town of Moses Lake for the next three years, could be enumerated as follows: First, and of most importance on the program, is the building of cement sidewalks along both sides of Broadway to be followed by later with walks in the residential sections.

Next in importance and directly related to the orderly development of the community is the establishment of a bank here. The Moses Lake community, together with the surrounding communities within the trade areas of the town, is amply large and financially able to support a strong banking institution.

Something which every resident of the entire community should be deeply interested in is adequate hospital facilities. A hospital located at Moses Lake with an able staff of doctors and nurses would serve a long felt want and prove a boon to the community at large.

In mapping out a program for development and improvement of the city, the recreation side must not be lost track of. A city park located, say on the north side of Moses Lake, with a swimming beach in connection would prove a great attraction, not only for tourists, but to the people of the entire county, and adjoining counties, and would bring thousands of people here every summer.

More and better farm to market roads leading into Moses Lake, and improved mail facilities, should also hold an important place in the three-year program.

While the above five-point program is only a suggestion on the part of the editor, local citizens would do well to give it thoughtful consideration and work for its successful conclusion.

Grant & Adams County briefs

Ritzville

Adams County’s new courthouse and jail was erected by a total cost of $120,000. The building is 132 feet long and 49 feet wide and three stories high. Dennis note: Could the cost be incorrect?

Sprague

-Last week a two-day preschool was held with Capt. J.R. Cook, Seattle Fire Chief in charge. Firemen from surrounding towns and communities were invited to attend.

Grand Coulee Dam

-Excavation has been started by the USBR for a seismograph at Grand Coulee Dam. This will be housed in a concrete vault, 25 feet long and 18 feet high.

Photographers from many sections of the country are busy at the dam and adjacent areas, recording the project I color, both in stills and motion pictures.

Coulee City

-Mr. and Mrs. A.T. Hampton, pioneers of the Grand Coulee near Steamboat Rock, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last weekend.

-Dave Hamburg reports that the firsts of this week his spud crop was harvested.

-Good catches of fish are reported by a number of local people. Sunday was exceptionally good.

-Mr. and Mrs. Weir and daughter, LaVern, and a friend arrived Sunday evening from Spokane. Mrs. Weir has taken over the O.K. Café in the Washington Chief Building.

Moses Lake Store

Dennis note: The Moses Lake Store was located near Frank’s Market. The building is still standing. It is the two-story building facing the side street. Originally the door was on the end, facing Nelson Road. The original Moses Lake Post Office was in this building. When Neppel became Moses Lake, the area around the building was referred to as Old Moses Lake and the area downtown was known as New Moses Lake. The MacDonald house is the two-story building to the east of where the MacDonald Store was located. Read on.

-Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Inglis from Marguerite, stopped in to see MacDonald Bros. and sisters on their way home from Idaho where they had visited his brother, Finlay W. Inglis and family from Boumont. From there visited his niece, Mrs. Francis Coy and her father, Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Penhallick.

-Mrs. John Ewald has been staying with Mrs. Laing for a few weeks. She came up Sunday and is at MacDonald’s.

-Mrs. O.D. McCoy, Mrs. J. B. McGrath and Dorris Lowe called on Mrs. John Ewald Sunday also at MacDonald’s.

-Donald L. Ewald is hauling grain to Warden for George During. Mr. During has finished cutting. F.A. MacDonald was helping him.

-James LaMunjon of Benton Harbor, Mich. called at F.A. MacDonald Tuesday.

Mae-Hiawatha

-Mrs. Clare Hansen and sons returned from Seattle where they have been visiting relatives and friends.

-Jack Powers accompanied Dick Ceis to Seattle, where he will spend some time visiting relatives.

-Mrs. James Sapp and son, Jerry, of Quincy is visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Powers.

-Mrs. Elmer Stagg of Wenatchee visited friends at Mae Thursday and Friday of last week.

-A.G. Eccles and family spent the weekend with relatives.

-Sam Driggs, who has 45 acres of potatoes planted on the Wm. Goodwin Ranch, visited at this home in Kennewick Saturday.

-The Mae-Hiawatha Sewing Club met at the home of Mrs. Mat DeShan last Wednesday. The afternoon was spent sewing and lunch was served by the hostess, Mrs. DeShan.

-Loren Lamphear of Yakima is visiting his sister and brother in law, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Richard.

From the CBH on Nov. 11, 1975:

Permit sale opens

Officials of the Wenatchee National Forest today reminded potential Christmas tree cutters that a limited number of $1 individual permits are being issued by Forest Ranger districts.

Permits, which must be obtained in advance of cutting, entitle the holder to cut one tree on designated National Forest areas.

Individuals who wish to cut trees on private land must, under state law, obtain permission from the landowner and must have a bill of sale with them when transporting such trees.

Christmas tree cutters are reminded that many forest areas are already wet or snowy. Vehicles should have good treaded tires and carry chains, a shovel and a good jack just in case they are needed. Clothing should be suitable to ward off cold and wet weather.

Coin show announced

The Tri-City Coin Club will sponsor its 15th Atomic Coin Pow Wow at the Red Lion Motor Inn, 2525 N. Chase, in Pasco on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16.

There will be exhibits of coins, currency and metals. Dealers from the northwest will operate tables for buying and selling.

Admission is free. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.