Watson Squire purchases acreage in what is now central Kenmore
Watson Squire, a future territorial governor and U.S. senator, purchases 198 acres sight-unseen from his father-in-law, Philo Remington, in what is now central Kenmore. Squire actively seeks to promote commerce and economic development at the north end of the lake, but his efforts are hampered by the national economic downturn of 1893-96.
The first water transportation begins
The forty-foot Squak begins service on Lake Washington and the Sammamish River, moving passengers and freight from Seattle’s Madison Park to Bothell, Woodinville, Redmond, and Issaquah.
Creator moves to becomes a pillar of Kenmore
Scotsman John McMaster moves from Kenmore, Ontario to Seattle, where he learns of a new shingle-making process at a Seattle mill.
Shingle mill opens
John McMaster opens a shingle mill at the north end of Lake Washington on January 1 and names the surrounding area after his hometown of Kenmore, Scotland.
The first school
The Kenmore School District is established; first classes are held in a shack near the McMaster mill.
Brick road from Lake Forest Park through Kenmore to Bothell is completed
Italian and Greek immigrants complete work on the Brick Road from Lake Forest Park to Kenmore and Bothell, following the route of a wagon road first used in the late 1880s. The Brick Road adds a hard surface and all-weather reliability to the route, bringing with it an economic boon to the area as automobiles replace horse-and-buggy travel. For the first time, Seattle families with automobiles can make a day trip to Bothell on the weekend. Cafes and roadhouses open in Kenmore. Casey Bannister becomes driver for the Bothell Auto Stage
Grand Opening of Inglewood Golf and Country Club
The Inglewood Golf Clubhouse opens next to an 18-hole golf course developed on what had been Peterson’s goat farm and logged-off forest land.
Inglewood Golf and Country Club burns; rebuilt in 1925
After a fire destroys the original Inglewood Golf Club, a more splendid clubhouse opens and continues operating today.
Kenmore Community Club finishes new clubhouse
Kenmore Community Club finishes its new clubhouse, financed from the sale of 150 bonds worth $10 each. Memberships cost fifty cents with dues set at twenty-five cents month.
Construction of St. Edward’s Seminary begins
After several years of construction, the St. Edward Seminary opens to train Catholic priests. The facility was operated for 46 years until 1976.
Wooden water tank holding 20,000 gallons is built on the Northlake hill
Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department organized
As advocated by the Kenmore Community Club, the Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department is organized after voters approve creation of King County Fire Protection District 16.
Bob Munro establishes Kenmore Air Harbor in a former swamp beside the lake
Soon after their return from World War II, aviation mechanics Bob Munro and Reg Collins and pilot Jack Mines establish Kenmore Air Harbor on 2.5 acres of a former swamp next to Lake Washington. Munroe builds a 36-horsepower airplane from the parts of wrecked planes and Kenmore Air is in business. Kenmore Air Harbor becomes the largest seaplane base in the United States.
Water District 79 is organized
Ralph Swanson Sr. opens Plywood Supply Company in Lake City Way
Established by Ralph Swanson in Lake City with a single truck and a small shed, Plywood Supply moves three years later to Kenmore, where it operates with a fleet of trucks and six warehouses, where it becomes one of the city’s largest enterprises.
Kenmore Library opens
First Kenmore Library opens with 5,600 books in its collection, housed in a remodeled barn on 73rd Avenue NE following a community fund-raising effort.
The Kenmore Library moves into a 2,112-square-foot modular structure on 73rd Avenue NE.
Official Kenmore community flag is unveiled
Bastyr University moves
Bastyr University moves from Seattle to the St. Thomas Seminary in Kenmore after leasing and later purchasing the 50-acre property from the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle; within twenty years, Bastyr becomes the nation’s leading naturopathic medical school.
After repeated defeats, a proposal to incorporate the City of Kenmore is approved by voters.
Measure for Kenmore incorporation passes with a 71 percent “yes” vote
