Childhood memories of playing in a huge barn that had originally sat on a 160 acre
piece of land in the area of SE Petrovitsky and 196th Ave. SE will only be part
of what Steve Petersen will be sharing at the Maple Valley Historical Society’s
(MVHS) Fire Engine Museum on Saturday, February 18, from 1-3 p.m.
For Petersen, growing up memories also include 2 wood stoves that heated the whole
house. One of the stoves was in the huge kitchen that not only helped keep the house
warm – but it also put out some delicious home cooked breads and meals. Family members
and friends who had actually homesteaded the area a short 135 years ago are also
a large part of the memories. And how about the two area lakes – Peterson Lake (on
the northwest corner of SE Petrovitsky and 196th Ave. SE) and Swan Lake (now known
as Lake Youngs).
Little did he realize as a child the wealth of historical information he was witnessing
– information that he now wishes he had paid more attention to while growing up.
Now as an adult he is recapturing as much of the historical past as he can and will
be sharing his information with the MVHS and public on Saturday, February 18, from
1-3 p.m. at the Fire Engine Museum, located at 22012 SE 248th St. in Maple Valley
– off Witte Rd. SE by the Greater Maple Valley Community Center. Light refreshments
will be served.