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Building History

The Yakima architect Henry J.O. Pohl designed the Yakima County Building at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE). An article in the Yakima Herald in 02/1909 indicated: “With a Yakima county man, one familiar with every section of Yakima county, as superintendent of the exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition, Architect Henry J.O. Pohl engaged to have charge of all decorations and displays of fruit and products; a relay of representative men to tell visitors of the conditions of the ‘Red Apple country,’ this section will be well represented at the great Seattle exposition. Such were the definite plans arranged Thursday afternoon at a meeting of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition committee, held at the court house. General approval of Architect Pohl’s ideas was given by the members of the committee and especially by John H. Weigel, W.N. Irish and others, who were, with the architect and designer while on their recent visit to Seattle. That his scheme will be of great benefit to Yakima county was generally conceded.”(See “Yakima County Man To Have Charge at A.Y.P.,” Yakima Herald, 02/10/1909, p. 3.)

Pohl was in Seattle by the middle of February 1909 ready to begin his work. The Seattle Star reported:The architect, Henry J.O. Pohl, who is to design the Yakima building for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition, arrived in Seattle yesterday, where he will take up his work at once. The Yakima building is to be directly across from the California building, and will be 45x65 feet, two stories high." (See "A.-Y.-P. Architect at Work," Seattle Star, 02/16/1909, p. 5.)

A note in the 03/10/1909 issue of the Yakima Herald indicated that the pavilion's site was being cleared and that final adjustments to architect Pohl's design were being made: "Ground is being cleared at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition grounds in Seattle for the Yakima county building, according to a telephone report received on Thursday evening by the Yakima county committee at a meeting in the Yakima Commercial club rooms, while excellent progress is being made with the plans, now in the hands of the exposition architects for slight alterations to conform to the general design of the grounds." (See "Ground Being Cleared," Yakima Herald, 03/10/1909, p. 7.)

Countries, states, cities, and counties vied with one another to secure the best, most visible locations at the AYPE. Yakima County apparently had a boosterish rivalry with the Chelan County city, Wenatchee, at this time. An article appeared in the Wenatchee Daily World in 1909: “Wenatchee is making strenuous efforts to outdo Yakima at the A.-Y.-P. Exposition, says the Yakima Republic. This is the report brought here by Architect Henry J.O. Pohl. He says a committee from Wenatchee was in Seattle and when it was discovered that Yakima was to have the best site on the grounds the committee at once set to work to secure a site, the members saying they would go back to Wenatchee and secure a sum of money that would put North Yakima in the shade. Mr. Pohl came over to meet the A.-Y.-P. Commission in the court house on Friday afternoon. He says it will be impossible for any county to secure a better site than North Yakima has, and it is doubtful if any sites are now to be had. Mr. Pohl also says that Yakima will have as ornate and beautiful a building as there will be on the grounds, and he believes that it can be erected and finished within the original estimate of $10,000.” (See “As Yakima Views Us,” Wenatchee Daily World, 02/23/1909, p. 2.)

Building Notes

This county pavilion stood in the northeastern quadrant of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Grounds, across from the slightly larger California Pavilion, designed by Selton and Hennings, Architects.

A note in the Santa Cruz, (CA), Sentinel said in mid-1909: "Yakima County, in the State of Washington, will make a fine exhibit of apples at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle in 1909. The apples are the same variety that James J. Hill sends to the King and Queen of England every year.” (See untitled item, Santa Cruz Sentinel, 01/14/1909, p. 8.)

Furniture for the Yakima County Building interior was being planned in 05/1909, with an emphasis on local craftspeople to construct it. The Yakima Herald reported: “Designs for the furniture for the Yakima County building at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition have been received from Architect Pohl and the makers have been determined upon by the local committee of management. The furniture for the lounging room for men will be constructed by Messrs. Thacker-Smith. That for the smoking room will be constructed by W.E. Smith and that for the office will be the handiwork of the boys of the manual training department of the North Yakima schools. No maker had been determined upon for the furniture for the ladies reception room but the Cascade Lumber company will probably furnish that. Furniture as planned by Architect Pohl is as follows: Ladies reception room: Two sofas, one round table, two writing desks and small table, three rockers, four arm chairs, four small chairs. These are to be enameled so as to conform with the interior decorations of the building and the cushions are to be of sage green. Gentlemen’s Lounging room: Two writing desks, five armchairs. Smoking room: Five armchairs, three small tables. Office: One desk, three small chairs, one table for typewriter. The furniture for the reception and lounging rooms is to be after the mission style and Mr. Pohl suggests that it be constructed of fir or oak, with a weathered or waxed finish. Mr. Warnstrom of the Cascade Lumber company returned Friday from Seattle where he went to ascertain facts concerning the exhibit space to be allowed to the mill people for their own exhibit at the fair. He is delighted with the conditions as they apply to Yakima county at the fair. He thinks the people here are to be well represented.” (See “Furniture Will Be Made in this City,” Yakima Herald, 05/05/1909, p. 6.)

PCAD id: 8179