Hunting for a piece of history

The Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society is searching for a place where the city can display its own little piece of history. The historical society is a group of concerned residents who gather on a monthly basis to try to brainstorm over where to house a historical museum. They also hope to attain new members and invite the public to bring in old photos depicting Bonney Lake’s earlier days.

President Dennis Dhaese said, “We realized there was a lot of history that started here, but most people still think of us as a bedroom community. We’ve looked at various houses (for the site), but neither of those worked out.”

When the group obtained non-profit status, they put up signs along the Natchez Trail to mark the historical significance of the battle between local American Indian tribes and the U.S. Army. Dhaese said that last June a dedication ceremony was held for the signs featuring an Ezra Meeker wagon and old-time fiddlers dressed in period clothing.

“We had six speakers from trails experts to the Indian tribes,” Dhaese said. “There was a very nice ceremony at the Kelly Farm. We put up brown signs that show points of interests within Bonney Lake. Most of the signs have been met with a positive response.”

Dhaese’s family has lived in the area since the 1950s and his mother still lives in the same house in Puyallup.

One of the projects the group has slated is a historical calendar for 2009.

“Each page will have a collage of various scenes from the town with a theme,” Dhaese said. “One page might have how they built Lake Tapps. Another page could feather native Americans or early pioneers. Someone brought in some great aerial shots of Lake Tapps from 1911. Another person brought in a wonderful picture of family in a square log cabin that sits right where the bathrooms now are at Allen Yorke Park.”

Dhaese said more and more area residents are willing to donate various items to a museum.

“People are learning about our group,” he said. “One of the ex-mayor’s wives has been wanting to donate a grand piano. People are donating things and we need a spot to store them in.”

Dhaese said members have been eyeing the possibility of a museum being housed in the new courthouse the city is building.

Historical society member Gary Leaf said it is likely that when a space is found, it will probably be shared with the Bonney Lake Chamber of Commerce, which also does not have a permanent home.

“There’s a handful of historical buildings in the area that would make good locations for both,” Leaf said. “If there’s a halfway economical solution we’ll do the best we can.”