April 2018

Good Afternoon!

Between the MLB, college, high school, club and local youth associations, baseball season is in full swing! In keeping with the spirit of the season, this week we are featuring a vintage American Legion baseball uniform. The size small, button down jersey is embroidered across the front with the team’s name, “Cowboys” and “Fitterer Bros” ( the teams’ sponsor) across the back. The #6 jersey is in excellent condition for a vintage piece, and its very heavy.

 Though it’s difficult to say exactly when the top was made, as it was used over several years, there are a few markers that let us know how vintage it truly is.

One of the first indicators that this jersey was made prior to 1960 is the inside tag. Marked “Russell Southern Co.”, the company branding changed in the 60’s when they became “Russell Athletic”. Another marker is the zipper. The brass ‘Conmatic’ zipper is marked USA 44’.

If you played for this American Legion team, we’d love to hear from you! Photos are encouraged!There’s no doubt this is an old top, but Brad and Pat Fitterer both wore this uniform in the 60’s when they played for the Cowboys. Cowboy’s players included several prominent names in the Kittitas Valley; they were even coached by Dean Nicholson at one point!

And just for fun , here’s some early baseball trivia!

1. Abner Doubleday is said to have invented the game of baseball in Cooperstown, New York around 1835

2. The first ever women’s baseball team was fielded by Vassar College in 1866.

3. Under the name of The American Baseball Association, the Beer and Whiskey League was created in 1882.

4. “ Take me out to the Ball Game “ was written in 1908.

5. The first baseball game was broadcast over the radio in 1921.

6. Babe Ruth hit his 500th home run in 1929.

7. The baseball “Hall of Fame” opens in 1936.

8. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League is created in 1943.

9. The first World Series was televised in 1947, featuring the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers.

10.The New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers move out west in 1957, becoming the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodges  – California’s first major league teams.
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Source : http://activecities.com/blog/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame-a-historical-timeline-of-baseball/

Good Afternoon!

Another Thursday, and another fun find in the mix of memories we keep around this century old building!  Typically we only get to go back as far as 1896 in terms of throwback finds. This week, an even older story made its way to the blog, thanks to a friendly expert at the Ellensburg public library! 

While browsing through boxes in a closet upstairs, we found a newspaper clipping. Attached to the clipping was a letter that explained this article was found in the archives at the public library. Reference Specialist Milton Wagy shared the article, taken from Page 3 of the of the Ellensburg Capital Newspaper in March of 1893. The article features a piece on the change of management of the Horton Hotel – just before the Fitterer brothers took over.

The reporter describes the transition, when Frank and Phillip Fitterer re-opened the dining area of the hotel. Shortly after they would take over all of the rooms as well. The complete change of hands was to occur on April 1^st, 1893 according to the article – a little over 125 years ago today!

As Mr. Wagy pointed out in his accompanying letter, the reporter didn’t shy away from his feelings for the former manager of the hotel!

“They will take possession of the rooms on April 1^st, at which time, it is understood, the former landlord will leave the town for good. So be it.”

Clearly disgruntled with the former landlord, the writer welcomed the Fitterer brothers with high praise and confidence.

“As the citizens of Ellensburgh can now appreciate the importance of having a pleasant, courteous and public spirited landlord”

The brothers of course transitioned to home furnishings following their time managing the Horton. They took their ‘public spirited’ , service based approach to their new venture; cultivating success and a strong sense of community in the heart of downtown Ellensburg – or Ellensburgh, as it was in 1893.