Victory Square Historical Marker, Seattle, Washington

Posted on by Misty
Victory Square Historical Marker, Seattle, WA

Victory Square was dedicated on May 2, 1942, as a place for citizens to gather and rally behind the World War II efforts. It featured a monument that listed the names of Washington citizens who had died during the war.  The square also had a speaker’s stand made in the shape of Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello.

During the war, many famous people visited Victory Square as part of the war effort. These included Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Betty Grable, Lana Turner, and more. Many big bands also played for free here.

After the war, the speaker’s stage was torn down, and the monument was removed in 1949.

Historical Marker Inscription

Victory Square was created during World War II as a place for citizens to rally behind the war effort and to raise community morale. This plaque marks the site, which included a speaker’s stand and a replica of the Washington Monument inscribed with the names of Washington State citizens who lost their lives during the war. Patriotic rallies, war bond drives, and performances by Hollywood’s famous stars all took place at Victory Square. People flooded the streets to attend performances by Duke Ellington, Lana Turner, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Betty Grable. After the war, the stage was torn down and the monument was eventually removed in 1949.

Location

47° 36’ 31.440” N, 122° 20’ 3.168” W
412 University St, Seattle, WA  98101, United States

 

The Finn Hall

Posted on by Misty
The Finn Hall Historical Marker, Woodland, WA

Originally built in 1916, the Finn Hall in Washington State was a lending library for immigrants from Finland.  The original Finn Hall burned down. Finn Halls (or Finnish halls) were the names given to the cultural centers for Finnish immigrants to the United States and Canada.

The historical marker is inside a five-acre park where the original hall was located.

Historical Marker Inscription

In 1916 Finnish immigrants constructed a hall near site under the name of a literary association (Kirjallisuus Seura), forming a lending library. Although they brought their diet, language, and saunas with them, some old country beliefs were left behind. These people found it necessary to meet where they could study the social customs of their new country, challenge and question partisan politics, and reflect on new insights. At this cultural center were held language classes, meetings, athletic activities, wedding dances, funerals and programs with oratory, drama, poetry, vocal and instrumental music. Steaming kettles of coffee and the warmth of dignified waltzes, pulsating polkas and schottisches brought togetherness to these rugged individualists.

Life to them was involvement.

Erected By

Descendants and friends of Finnish Settlers
Woodland Bicentennial Committee
Washington State Highways Commission
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Cowlitz County Parks and Recreation Dept.

Location

45° 56’ 36.630” N, 122° 41’ 34.908” W

Old Lewis River Rd, Woodland, WA 98674, United States