Major Events of the 50's

Wapata (Blair) Bridge Closed

In January 1951, the Wapata (Blair) Bridge, an old wooden trestle built during World War I, was razed and a dredging schedule began for the Wapata Waterway. Once again people from the points and Northeast Tacoma were making a detour: this time only one and one-half miles around. It was, nevertheless, a great agravation and inconvenience for commuters into Tacoma. The waterway which had been maninly marshland and tideflats was dredged to depth of 30 feet and the channel extended 3,500 feet. The silt dredged out was used to create several hundred acres of industrial sites. The new bridge was a four lane, double leaf bascule with a 150-foot berth between piers. It was opened and dedicated November 14, 1953.

Forty-three years later the same bridge was closed and taken out by the Port of Tacoma in order to widen the channel even more for the massive freighter ships coming into port to unload cargo. The Port of Tacoma's solution to cutting off the 11th Street corridor into downtown Tacoma from the points and Northeast Tacoma was to build four lane perimeter road which detoured along the north edge of Fife and Interstate 5, then across the tideflats and finally over a new bridge constructed over the Thea Foss Waterway which connects into the Interstate 705 spur running along the front of downtown Tacoma. This created considerable consternation for all three communities during the early to mid-90's when the proposal was being announced.

Schools in the 50's

In the1952/53 school year the new Browns Point Elementary School opened on 51st Street NE. Meeker Middle School, adjacent to the elementary, opened for the 1958/59 school year. It was named for Browns Point's first citizen, Jerry Meeker. In 1958 Dash Point constructed a five-room addition to its school plus a multipurpose room, library and office. N.E. Tacoma had a new school built in 1959 due to population growth.

Austin Mansion Becomes a Retirement Home

The Austin home was purchased from the Austin family in 1952, about a year before the death of Claude Austin, and converted into a retirement home. Through the years it has had several owners including Marge Manker, Nellie & Daisy Bailey, as well as Joyce Bjorkland. The present owners since 1981 are Lynn & Frank Whitbeck. Lynn is a nurse and Frank is retired from the Air Force. The home houses 16 senior citizens.

Medical Clinic Opened

The area's first and only medical clinic was opened by Dr. James Hazelrigg M.D. and Dr. Leonard Loflin, D.D.S. in June 1956. Both became residents of Browns Point and also became involved in community and church activities.

Sewers

In the early 50's the subject of sewers became a matter of great concern. The points had a population of approximately 1,900 residents according to a preliminary data study done for the purpose of deciding community actions. There were areas where sewage could be found in ditches, on the beaches, andon private properties. There was also concern as to where three water companies were doing an adequate job since the water pressures were low. The study offered three alternatives: 1) Incorporate as a city; 2) Annex to Tacoma; 3) Remain as is. The decision of the two communities was to do nothing. By 1959 the majority of Browns Point and Dash Point Hills was annexed to Tacoma. These areas automatically qualified for all the Tacoma utilities and services. The lower parts of Browns Point and Dash Point, however, remained under the jurisdiction of Pierce County.

New Clubhouse at Browns Point

Before Browns Point could build a new clubhouse, a site had to be agreed upon and purchased. Agreement on the site proved to be a difficult situation. The "Hillbillies" wanted the site to be on the beach, facilitating storage for their boats. The "Beachcombers" already had beach property where they could anchor or store their boats, so they prefered property higher up on the hill. There appears to have been lengthy discussion and argument.

Ulitmately the beach site was decided upon, but aquiring the property they wanted was another matter. They were able to purchase the strip of land on the south side of the old country road (leading to the former dock) from Stanley Hawthorne, son-in-law of Jerry Meeker. However, it took many years to obtain the Coast Guard's land on the other side of the road. They worked with their Washington representatives in Congress and went through all the proverbial "red tape" to no avail. Finally, through a small Browns Point delegation who went to Washington, D.C., a grant was requested from the Coast Guard. It appeared to be no problem to receive the grant. All that was required was getting it passed through Congress. In 1950 it passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Finally, the club had a site for the clubhouse. The organization had been making substantial profits at the salmon bakes since 1946 and had also floated bonds to raise adequate funds. John Kirkebo and Claire Cline were contracted to build the structure in 1954. The cost was $40,000. On Feb. 20, 1955 the Clubhouse was completed and dedicated.

The Death of Jerry Meeker

The year 1955 also marked the death of Jerry Meeker at age 93. He had been suffering from diabetes and had had his right leg amputated. His influence is forever present on Browns Point with streets named by him in his native language, Meeker Middle School named after him, and Jerry Meeker Park at the intersection of Eastside Drive and Le-Lou-Wa. The park had been the brainchild of Arnold Smith, promoter of the 1946 Salmon Bake. Vic Monahan who owned a pole company and George Oathout who owned a lumber company donated the materials for the log cabin and fence surrounding it. A totem pole was added. The ladies of the Madrona and Browns Point Garden Clubs landscaped and maintained the grounds and for many years a Christmas tree was placed in the park during the holiday season.

Jerry Meeker, in his 93 years, had made a tremendous transition from his native ways to the white man's ways. He had a fantastically flexible, adaptable spirit. He was well respected by both his native family and his white man family. For years he worked with native youth helping them to learn the white man's ways. He never released for forgot his native culture even though he had accepted the white man's customs, laws, and civilization.

Cliff House Tavern Burns

In the late 50s the Cliff House Tavern, then owned by Buz Erhart, burned to the ground. Hugh Smith who had built a very successful business on the tideflats selling Smitty's hamburgers built a new Cliff House. Instead of a tavern this was a restaurant know for its view of Tacoma in the distance across Commencement Bay and Mt. Rainier behind the tideflats. For many years it was also known for its "sing along" bar.

Events of the 60s