SNOHOMISH - Many of you will be interested to know about a Proposal for a New Senior Center, & Low Cost Housing comlex, proposed for the existing senior center which resides atop of Snohomish Cemetery, variously nicknamed Indian Cemetery, and various other designations over the iterim. This historical cem. dates back to the early to mid 1800s when in 1875 when Snohomish Cemetery Association was formed. Watch for news articals in The Herald, The Tribune, et al publications which may carry news of the proposed new Sr. Ctr./Housing project to built upon the existing cemetery site. Architectral drawings of the buildings, parking areas, and configuration were presented at the Snohomish Senior Center located at 2nd Street and Cypress Avenue, the south portion of the cemetery. The presentation was held October 16 at 12 Noon. Grace Kim and Elizabeth Thompson, architects presented the drawings. It is to be electrically heated, room for 37 parking spaces, total, and a cost estimate of $670,000 for just the buildings, not including furnishings. The blacktop approach to the proposed facility would be from the South side of the cemetery, whereas the present approach is from the West side of the cemetery where the blacktop has quite limited parking, presently. Pilchuck Julia's burial site was at the SW corner of the cemetery when as a 13 yr old boy, Vic Matthison was the only witness to the burial because of the fear of Smallpox exposure - the persons burying her did their work quickly and got away from there for fear of the possible smallpox exposure. I interviewed Vic some years ago about that event when he could still hear, and when his wife was still living. Both were mail carriers, he in Snohomish, she via vehicle as a rural route carrier. Vic had been mail carrier at our home on 2nd Street part of those earlier times. He told me about the booze that would be stashed back of some of the tombstones at Snohomish Cemetery for pick up after they'd been delivered in addition to the milk delivery wagon of the time. I wonder if this was some of the booze that came down from Canada by "speedboats" and "dropped off" at various places along the way, Whidbey Island places, and along our own shorelines. Then there was the hollow room inside the huge sand and gravel source in the City of Snohomish where the booze could be stashed until delivered, or called for. (Was Snohomish ever really "dry" during those Depression/Prohibition Years?). Sorry I got carried "away"! Back to the Sr Ctr: Brad Nelson, from the City's budgeting, was present and others were present along with say 15 - 20 seniors interested in the proposed project. The meeting lasted approx. 30 minutes, and will await acceptance by the City Council for acceptance of the proposal. * * * Another Afterthought: At the east end of the existing extention of the present Sr Ctr a picture of an Indian holding his long rifle hung for many years on the east wall. I thought ironic that this picture hung closest to the main part of the cemetery, in fact very near where there are several large base stones of sandstone with the criss crossed embossing typical of the base stones from the 1800s and early 1900s, along with a granite base stone of a pinkinsh cast with the letters T H O M A S on it. I have seen this many times, and though they are piled askew below a couple of young trees at the NE corner of the extended Sr Ctr. I looked to see if I could find the Indian holding the rifle, but I nearly gave up seeing it when I had to use the lavatory which is typical at my age. As I entered the small lavatory which is for men and women, as I closed the door, my eyes found the Indian picture that hung on the east wall for such a long time, back of the door on the floor, leaning against the wall. Additional irony ! The place on the east wall had a painting of balloons - the type Snohomish is noted for, for those who go ballooning near Harvey Airfield. It replaced the Indian picture. * * * To find out about acceptance of the Poposal, check: Ref. The HERALD, Everett, WA. Date: Section: Site: http://www.heraldnet.com/about Article: COMMENT: and/or The Tribune, and Other publications or Snohomish City Hall or Snohomish Sr Ctr, but not the Snohomish Cemetery/Indian Cemetery where Caucasians and Indians were buried in those early historical times. Carroll in Snohomish * * * 30 * * *