Where the sidewalk ends

July 21, 2016

Where Summit Road crosses the railroad tracks was once a thriving little community called "Summit" because it was on the highest elevation on the railroad between Puget Sound and Grays Harbor. The Summit Post Office was established in the 1870s. The community had their own school and the building later became the Grange Hall demolished in the 1990s, I think, to make room for the new residential development.

Pony circle

July 21, 2016. The circle left by pony ride for the kids from the McCleary Bear Festival.

In the background, where Simpson's fence now exists, there was a two story structure a century ago known as "The Old Oaken Bucket." In the first floor were business enterprises, such as the newspaper The McCleary Stimulator, founded by the Craft twins, Ray and Roy, with their friend Bob Cooper.  On the 2nd floor was another sort of business enterprise employing some of the "soiled doves" of the town. Another such place was on the now vacant SW corner of Main and Maple, once home to The Pines.

Some kind of green fruit

Rainbow Park, July 21, 2013

McCleary morning misty clouds

July 17, 2016

The Union Hall

July 17, 2011

This was the site of the Pastime Pool Hall where Al McKean was killed.

If I am not mistaken, I believe Henry McCleary's desk now resides in this building, a fact that no doubt would've really bugged that old union buster.

Somewhere around this spot was also the gate to the Jake Anderson place before Henry McCleary arrived. Jake, a cranky Norwegian bachelor, lived at what is now the top of the "T" at 5th and Oak.

Tony and ZZ

July 17, 2011

The crypt of Anthony (1908-1960) and Azizeh (1915-2001) Souda in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen.

The Soudas operated the Golden Rule Store, which was located in what is now a vacant lot just north of the second hand store on Maple and Main. They were a vital part of McCleary community life. The actual building was still standing as late as the 1960s. 

Al McKean, 1879-1926

July 17, 2011

The crypt of Al McKean, Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen.

McKean was a popular figure in McCleary. He ran the Pastime Pool Hall, where the present Union Hall sits. The original Pastime building was torn down in the summer of 1986.

McKean was shot and killed when he surprised a burglar while returning to the Pool Hall after hours. Henry McCleary spared no expense in helping law enforcement track down the killer.  When they finally arrested the likely killer and threw him in the Grays Harbor County jail, he refused to talk.

The story goes that McKean's twin brother was made up to look like a ghost and would silently stare at the superstitious prisoner through the bars at night. This method extracted the needed confession.

The entire episode earned an article in a sensationalist crime story tabloid, Real Detective in Jan. 1937 entitled "The Jungle Buzzard and the Ghost of Al McKean."