Issaquah History Museums

Happy 30th Birthday to the Issaquah Community Center! 🎂🎉🏀

What began with a vision and fundraising—close to 35 years ago—became a reality when the new Community Center opened its doors on June 3, 1996. Issaquah's youth quickly flocked to their new hangout, complete with volleyball and basketball courts, a running track, weight room, aerobics center, and game room stocked with a pool table, ping pong, and foosball—all donated by generous community members.

Special teen nights featured music, open gym time, food, and more, all for just $2 admission. Other events ranged from dances and tournaments to roller derbies and band nights. And amid all the excitement, staff were already looking ahead, planning to open a preschool that fall.

The official ribbon-cutting was held on June 15, 1996. What launched with so much fanfare thirty years ago this month is still going strong today.

Thank you, ICC, for all that you do for our community—from youth to seniors!

[Issaquah Press: 6/5/1996 - Gymnasium, 6/12/1996 - foosball; Preschool class c.1996 / IHM: 2013.003.6520.003; ICC fundraising c.1985 / IHM: 2013.003.2852]

Squak. Gilman. Olney. Issaquah. If you've ever set foot in Issaquah, Washington, then you've been to all of those places!

As part of Washington State’s commemoration of America250, museums were invited to participate by exhibiting something from their collections that was unique to their American experience.

After we proposed several options, members of Issaquah History Museums have chosen to share a photograph depicting Issaquah c. 1900 and the origin of our town's name.

This project—Out of Many, One (OMO)—is designed to inspire Washingtonians to explore the variety of American experiences through the lens of local communities across our state. IHM's photograph and story is on display at the Issaquah Depot Museum until November 1, 2026. To explore other OMO history throughout our state, visit: https://america250wa.org/resources/out-of-many-one/.

We invite you to stop by the Issaquah Train Depot Museum to see our OMO display. And while you're there, check out our new Trailblazers exhibit too!

Where: 78 1st Ave NE, Issaquah, WA
Museum Hours: Saturdays & Sundays (11:00 AM-3:00 PM)

BIG CONGRATS to ALL graduating seniors in the Issaquah School District—Issaquah, Liberty, Skyline, and Gibson-Ek High Schools! 🎓 Nice work. We wish you a bright future as you step outside those school boundaries. Now... GO MAKE HISTORY!! 🎉👏 ☀️

[Issaquah High School 1918 graduating class / IHM: 87.146.480]

It happened again! Some wonderful mystery person nominated the Issaquah Depot Museum for The Seattle Times' Best in the PNW... and we'd ❤️ to get your vote.

When voting, choose: THINGS TO DO > MUSEUMS > ISSAQUAH DEPOT. You can vote DAILY by either scanning the code or visiting: https://www.VotethePNW.com. Voting closes at 5pm, Friday, June 26, 2026.

To all of you good people—please vote and share to support IHM. Winners will be announced by The Seattle Times on Sunday, September 20, 2026. THANK YOU!!

By their size and shape, you might mistake them for an outhouse but in the early 20th century it was quite common to have your own smokehouse—which typically had a ventilation slot with an adjustable, sliding, closer door (whereas an outhouse usually had a permanently open cutout in the door, often a half-moon shape).

Locals like the Somsak's, Louis Krall, and Austin Wiggins used them to process the hogs they raised, salmon they caught, and other delicacies for family and friends.

[Austin Wiggins smokehouse on Mill St (now Sunset Way) / IHM: 2000.036.042; Overgrown smokehouse on the old Somsak property / IHM: 2007.019.029]

On Sat, June 13, you're invited to a Veterans Town Hall at the Issaquah Train Depot. Veterans and their families are welcome to share their experiences. It is honest, unfiltered, deeply human, and all are welcome.

The event runs from 1:30p to 3:30p and is hosted by Everyone for Veterans. Admission is free, but seating is limited and registration is required: www.givebutter.com/vettownhall2026

Just a few tickets still available... and we think they might be YOURS!

Issaquah on Tap is back—the walking tour that mixes local lore with local pours. We’re serving up a spirited walk through Issaquah’s past: logging, mining, saloons, and colorful characters who shaped this town.

We’ll kick things off at the historic Train Depot, then make our way through downtown with storytelling, bites, and beverages at each venue stop—the Rollin Log, Stan’s Bar-B-Q, and El 42 Cantina—before wrapping up at the Hailstone Feed Store (Historic Shell Station).

Grab your friends. Hit the stops. Hear the stories right where they happened.

Tue, June 9 • 6:00-8:00 PM
$65 per person
Tickets: https://www.issaquahhistorymuseums.com/event-details/issaquah-on-tap-a-spirited-walk-through-history-2

This walking event (with ADA-accessible accommodations) is brought to you by the Downtown Issaquah Association and Issaquah History Museums. Ages 21+ only.

By 1947, Hepler Motors was 28 years old and automobiles were no longer just for the wealthy. But in 1920—when most were only dreaming—Lee Hepler tried to accommodate them by taking horses, chickens, cattle, and even geese and ducks as trade-ins. In an interview for the Issaquah Press in 1979, Lee laughed recalling "When my salesman wasn't selling cars, it was ducks and geese!"

In that article, Lee pointed out that you didn't just sell a car, you had to teach them how to drive as well and explain to the new owners that they were working with a machine that had to be mastered. He sold his first Model T for $365 to a valley farmer.

Lee Helper went all out for the company's 28th birthday—offering free gifts for children accompanied by their parents and a free lubrication job to every car (any model) whose owner registered at the door. Known for his celebratory events, Ford's new 1947 models were also introduced: a convertible V-8 coupe, six cylinder sedan coupe, a V-8 Tudor Sedan, and a V-8 truck. Floral displays and banners that read: "There's a finer Ford in your future," "Liveliest Performance," and "Tw-Tone Interior" were all part of the fanfare.

Hepler Motor Company opened on the southeast corner of Front Street and Sunset Way (current home of the Shell Station) in 1919 and continued to grow until an earthquake damaged the building in the mid-1950s.

[Hepler Motors 28th gala birthday party with Lee Hepler in the center between the cars, May 23, 1947 / IHM: 2004.011.076]

In gratitude, we honor those who served this country and gave their all.

This photo was taken at Hillside Cemetery after twelve members of Issaquah’s Albert Larson Veterans of Foreign War Post 3436 placed flags and crosses for Memorial Day (c. 1990). The donor listed the volunteers as: Jack Chalfa, Al Arndt, Chester Lindquist, Ernest Nyberg, Buford (Bud) Ambrose, Jack Barker, Dave Chevalier, Frank Engle. Tauno Erickson, Wayne Busby, Louie Boni, and Norman McLean.

This weekend, veterans' headstones at Lower Hillside Cemetery were again decorated. And today (10:00-11:00 AM), the community gathers at the Issaquah Senior Center for a ceremony honoring veterans’ service and sacrifice.

[local VFW Post 3436 c.1990 / IHM: 2009.027.001]

Volunteers are our heartbeat. If you've ever wondered what it's like to docent, help with the trolley, or support community events, stop by our open house on Tuesday, June 2 at the old Gilman Town Hall. No commitment—just a chance to learn more and say hello. Come see how you can make a difference.

RSVP at: https://www.issaquahhistorymuseums.com/event-details/volunteering-open-house-2