Longview, Washington  

“Historical Museum holding program Sunday”

“Historical Museum holding program Sunday”
from
THE DAILY NEWS
Longview, Washington
 March 22, 2007

CLICK on this “thumbnail” of newspaper clipping at the left to view and read enlarged version.
 

CLICK on Each Thumbnail Picture to View Enlarged Version
 

September 23, 2006 – Mr. Long Statue Dedicated

A Long Time Coming
A Long Time Coming
It was a bright and warm day on September 23 in Longview, Washington, during the dedication of a statue to timber baron, Robert A. Long.  For 60 years, residents there have been trying to erect a full size statue of the timber baron, Mr. Long, but the Depression curtailed the initial effort.  But now a bronze figure of the man rests on a bronze bench, reaching out to accept a flower from a bronze little girl.

The new statue was dedicated in a public ceremony on the main street running through the town.  Kurt Anagnostou, the mayor pro-tem, presented the key to the city to a citizen portraying Long, Dr. Travis Cavens.  “Mr. Long” congratulated the artist, Jim Demetro, who has done many other works of sculpture in the United States and is now creating a piece for a resort in Mexico.

Dr. Cavens impersonating Mr. Long at Statue Dedication
Dr. Cavens impersonating Mr. Long
at Statue Dedication

Bill Kasch, the man who had spearheaded the drive to bring the dream of honoring Long, was also recognized along with John Chilson, a primary supporter of the project.

Impersonator “Mr. Long” came to the ceremony riding in a 1920’s vintage Model A Ford.  Other Model A’s carried women of the “23 Club.”  This is an organization composed primarily of descendents of the people who first populated Longview in 1923, at the beginning of Longview and of the world’s largest lumber mill.

– Dr. Travis Cavens
CLICK on Each Thumbnail Picture to View Enlarged Versions
Saw Mill, Longview, Washington Long Bell Lumber Mills, Longview, Washington
Long-Bell Saw Mill,
Longview, Washington		 Long Bell Lumber Mills,
Longview, Washington
Port, Dock and Long-Bell Mill Long-Bell Lumber Plants, Longview, Washington
Port, Dock and Long-Bell Mill, Longview, Washington

Partial View of Long-Bell Lumber Plants, Longview, Washington
Another view of Long Bell Mill, Longview, Washington
Another view of Long Bell Mill, Longview, Washington
Airplane View of Long-Bell Mill International Bridge & Longview Mill, Longview, WA
Airplane View of Long-Bell Mill, Longview, Washington International Bridge &
Longview Mill,
Longview, Washington

 

Timber along the Pacific Highway near Longview, Washington

Timber along the Pacific Highway near Longview, Washington
Long-Bell Building, Longview, Washington Hotel Monticello
Long-Bell Building,
Commerce Avenue,
Longview, Washington		 Hotel Monticello,
Longview, Washington
Looking west on Broadway View from roof of the Hotel Monticello
Longview, Washington, ca. 1928.  Looking west on Broadway toward the Hotel Monticello Longview, Washington.  View from the roof of the Hotel Monticello, looking east toward the Cowlitz River and the passenger depot at the foot of Broadway, ca. 1928
CLICK on Each Thumbnail Picture to View Enlarged Versions

Longview, Washington’s Historic Columbia Theatre

The Columbia will become an integral part of the city’s growth.”
“With the completion of the Columbia,
Longview will become a ‘great city.’
The Columbia will become an integral part of the city’s growth.”

1925 Cowlitz Historical Quarterly

In the early 1920’s as the world’s largest lumber mill was being built, R. A. Long and his company officers took on the simultaneous challenge of creating a completely preplanned city.  They named it Longview, Washington.  It had paved streets, utilities, stores, churches, a school, and a special attraction – the ornate Columbia Theatre.  It was there that the new citizens of Longview came to be entertained by vaudeville acts, silent movies, plus celebrities like Clark Gable and Ginger Rogers.

Drs. Travis & wife Phyllis Cavens (as R. A. Long & wife Ella).
Drs. Travis & wife Phyllis Cavens (as R. A. Long & wife Ella).
Taken during fund-raising event for
remodeling effort of the Columbia Theatre.

Longview, Washington

Over the ensuing decades the Columbia Theatre began to fade.  In fact, it was scheduled to be torn down in 1980, but was saved, by all things, a volcano.  On May 18, 1980 nearby Mount St. Helens exploded, killing 57 people and creating a devastated landscape for miles.  The contractor who was hired to demolish the theatre was called away to help with clearing the volcano’s destruction, giving time for concerned citizens to save the theatre.

Original theatre, April 4, 1925, seated 1,000.
Original theatre, April 4, 1925, seated 1,000.
New city population was approximately 4,000.

Today an $11.3 million dollar restoration and expansion is in progress that will make an 800 seat, state of the art performance hall, keeping alive this historic building that is part of the legacy of Mr. Long.