This article is from the Index Eagle, January 1992 and authored by David Cameron. He has given us permission to reprint his articles but PLEASE DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. This article may not be reproduced without the express written permission of IndexWa.org and/or David Cameron, PhD.
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A new year has begun, witnessing the end to ‘91. Talk shows, sports commentators, news pundits, and supermarket tabloids fill their spaces between commercials and advertisements with prediction of what the new year will bring, based on what has happened before cyclical behaviors, and what might increase the audience. However, “It is happy for man that he does not know what the morrow is to bring forth; but, unaware of this great blessing, he has, in all ages of the world, presumptuously endeavored to trace the events of unborn centuries, and anticipate the march of time.” So wrote Charles Mackay in 1852 in his “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds.”
History, on the other hand, deals with the past and tries to study events in order to ascertain some universal truths from them – assuming there are such things! It would be interesting if we could read what future historians will write of the events of 1991. We are too close to them and know too little of motives, causes, and as yet undecided outcomes to know those things ourselves. Was the Gulf War a major turning point for the Middle East or but a passing blip – George Bush a statesman or one who knew how to manipulate the emotions of his people? Did democracy sweep away authoritarian rule in the former USSR, or did we enter a new age of ethnic, religious and national strife extending from Croatia through Central Asia? Was this a recession or the beginning of a depression? Did the growing social chasm between rich and poor start to reverse its self , or did the middle class continue to dwindle away? At this point, we cannot tell.
We can look back at our community, though, and trace changes which would have been equally hard to decipher then and perhaps draw some conclusions. Seventy five years ago the town had a much different look about it: it has shrunk in population to only 23% of what it was then and now is fifth smallest ‘in the state (ahead of Krupp, Lamont, Marcus, and Waverly). Mining, lumber mill, granite quarry, shingles all “exports in 1916, are but memories and overgrown clearings, scars on the rock. All were based on the extraction and processing of natural resources. Fishing and health resorts also are endangered species, judging by the steelhead derby results posted at the Index General Store and the extensive damage after the 1990 floods to what little remains up at Garland. The Scenic Hot Springs Hotel was destroyed to make way for the Cascade Tunnel. The forests, however, are more beautiful now, with major logging scars grown over around the town, and the place is far quieter and cleaner place to live: no mills and steam locomotives.
To help us better understand our local past so we can make more informed decisions toward the future – as with the growth management plan – why not join with us this year to share, listen, and learn more about our community? Meetings in ‘92 will be the second Tuesday (January 14 is next) at the Sportsmen’s Hall at 7:30 every month but December. Dues are inexpensive too, only $10.00 and mailable to P.O. Box 252. The impact of the railroad will be our theme for the year, looking forward to the Great Northern Railroad Historical Society’s national convention in Everett this July, the centennial of the G.N.’s completion a year from this month, and a summer museum display featuring local railroading. Come and join us!
David Cameron, President
Index Bulletin Board, Misc. Information, News As IT HAPPENS, the Index Historical Society | Ed | 
February 8, 2009 7:14 am | 
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