Does anyone remember hearing the name “Carnation?”
To refresh your memory, we are a little city between Duvall and Fall City. We use to be known as Tolt back on the 1912 date of incorporation, but then in 1917, some of the nice people thought it would be honorable to change our name to Carnation as long as Mr. Stuart was building Carnation Milk Farms close by, which has been replaced by Nestle. Then, some of the old-timers revolted and said “let’s go back to Tolt,” so the vote in 1928 put it back to Tolt. Lo and behold in 1951, some members of the women’s club decided Carnation was a prettier name and on the ballot it went again, and we have been Carnation ever since.
If you get a chance, visit our little city and see the Christmas decorations. On Saturday, Dec. 1, Santa rode into town on his horse. A parade, tree lighting and music were enjoyed by a large crowd, drenched with wind and rain. The church, school and senior center were also buzzing with activities too many to mention, and I can’t begin to name all those who worked so hard to make it a great success.
The little Information Building on Main Street, which had been left to take care of itself, got a trimming and cleaning up, thanks to the chamber. What can we say to Jill Alves of Carnation, who stepped forward and decorated the whole thing inside and out? A beautiful job Jill, and thanks from all of us.
The Carnation Chamber of Commerce has its seventh ornament out this year. It has the Alki steamboat on it that used to come up the Snoqualmie River from Everett, bringing supplies and logging equipment to this area. It stopped at Ames Landing at the end of Northeast 40th where Tolt River McDonald Park is located. The ornaments can be purchased at Carnation’s Bank of America, Simply Grand, Ace Hardware, QFC, Sandy’s and Ixtapa. The Tolt Historical Society also has the latest book, “Tolt/Carnation – a Town Remembered” for sale.
The Tolt Historical Society is proud to announce that their museum in the Sno-Valley Senior Center building is all remodeled and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, or whenever the center is open.
Now I hope a lot of you readers will take a few minutes and visit Carnation. We didn’t roll over and die, we just took a long rest.
Isabel Jones
Carnation
