Celebrate Kirkland Founders’ Week with walking tour

The first celebration of Founders’ Day in Kirkland was the 1922 Bicentennial to honor Samuel, Caroline and Harry French who arrived at Pleasant Bay in 1872. Founders’ Day was again celebrated with the Founders’ Centennial in 1972. That Centennial gave Kirkland our first Moss Bay Days and first public art: the bronze Founders’ Fountain by James Fitzgerald at Marina Park. The French family was not the first to settle in the area, but they were the first to stay. Three generations of French’s are buried in the Kirkland Cemetery and their home is the city’s oldest known dwelling. The Centennial Fountain was one of Fitzgerald’s last commissioned works before he died in 1973.

By Loita Hawkinson • February 10, 2011 11:00 am
Peter Kirk’s top hat and history from Rose Hill
Peter Kirk’s top hat and history from Rose Hill

The first celebration of Founders’ Day in Kirkland was the 1922 Bicentennial to honor Samuel, Caroline and Harry French who arrived at Pleasant Bay in 1872. Founders’ Day was again celebrated with the Founders’ Centennial in 1972. That Centennial gave Kirkland our first Moss Bay Days and first public art: the bronze Founders’ Fountain by James Fitzgerald at Marina Park.

The French family was not the first to settle in the area, but they were the first to stay. Three generations of French’s are buried in the Kirkland Cemetery and their home is the city’s oldest known dwelling. The Centennial Fountain was one of Fitzgerald’s last commissioned works before he died in 1973.

For two years Peter Kirk searched the Pacific coast for the ideal area to locate his Iron and Steel Works. In 1888 he chose the settlement on Nelson Bay between the lake ports of Houghton and Juanita. The new town was named Kirkland after Kirk. Nelson Bay was renamed Moss Bay after Moss Bay in Workington, England, home of Kirk’s original iron works.

In 1905, Kirkland was incorporated. That Centennial was celebrated in 2005.

Founders’ Week is celebrated annually during the week in which founder Peter Kirk’s Feb. 15 birthday falls. For the month of February, Kirkland Heritage Society fills the City Hall lobby display case with Kirkland history, which includes Peter Kirk’s top hat, and history from Rose Hill, Juanita, Finn Hill and Houghton.

This Founders’ Week Kirkland Heritage Society is posting signs in downtown Kirkland with old photos and a snippet of history about the building in which the sign is posted. Fifteen businesses are participating. Because Kirkland was founded in 1888, the 1888 theme will be carried out by many of the participating businesses. Some will be offering a service or sale item for $18.88. Take the time to stop and see the sign posted, while getting acquainted with the services they provide for Kirkland. The celebration offers a self-guided walking tour and gives us a chance to learn history and see photos of long-gone days.

Participating businesses are: A Touch of Class, Bella Tesori/Bella Bambini, Beadworld, Bikini Beach, Café Happy, Design Within Reach, Grape Choice, Hallmark Real Estate, Hectors, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Soul Ease Holistic Yoga Spa & Art Gallery, The Slip, Trendz Nail Bar and Zoka.