Lulu M. Fairbanks was born in Ohio in 1888 and moved to Seattle in 1913. She taught school for five years, then worked for the Port of Seattle until 1922. After leaving for a brief time, she returned in 1923 and became the assistant editor of the
The Mountaineers was founded in 1906 with 110 charter members, half of them women. In the early years, many of their activities were local walks and excursions. Full scale mountain climbs were also accomplished, such as Mount Baker and Mount Rainier. Some of the original members of the Mountaineers were Edmond S. Meany and Henry Landes of the University of Washington, and photographers Asahel Curtis and Lawrence D. Lindsley.
Album with 168 2-sided pages (most used on the front side only) recounting trips made by the Mountaineers between 1913 and 1916.
Lulu Fairbanks kept this scrapbook on various trips she took with the Mountaineers into the Cascade Mountains and around Puget Sound. As a journalist, she describes in colorful detail the landscapes they encountered, along with the personalities and activities of the group. She describes the dedication and construction of the Mountaineers lodge at Snoqualmie in June 1914. The scrapbook has typewritten commentary and is illustrated with original photographs, pictures from books and magazines, and post cards. Relevant news articles are also included. Some of the excursions began with a railroad journey, and the scrapbook contains several images of trains. Names of some members are provided, and many geographic features are identified. Both summer and winter excursions are described and illustrated. The first trip that Lulu Fairbanks describes, a visit to the Tulalip Indian Reservation, takes place in June 1912, when she says she is not yet a member of the Mountaineers. The latest dated entry is en route to Snow Lake in May 1916.
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Lulu Fairbanks Mountaineers trips album, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Found in collection.
The album pages were originally in a 3-ring binder. For preservation purposes, the pages were removed from the binder and placed in archival folders, and retained their original order.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
The first half of the album describes longer trips made by Fairbanks with the Mountaineers, largely to the Mountaineers Lodge near Snoqualmie, as well as other locations.
Section titles written by Fairbanks are indicated by italics.
On June 21, 1914, the hikers board the Milwaukee to Rockdale (near Snoqualmie Pass). Section contains color postcards of the Olympian (train) and Mount Si, done by Asahel Curtis; magazine clippings; and photographs of Granite Mt., Chair Peak, the Matterhorn, Mt. Defiance, McClellan's Butte, Mt. Denny, and the South Fork of the Snoqualmie R.
Hikers leave the train and carry boards and bricks to the Mountaineer Lodge. Prof. Edmond Meany gives a dedication Section contains an Asahel Curtis postcard of a train as well as photographs of the unfinished lodge and a panorama of the surrounding peaks (Granite Mt., the Matterhorn, Chair Peak, Dennyhorn, Denny Mt., Snoqualmie Mt., Guye Peak, Red Mt., Mt. Thomson, and Mt. Stewart).
Description of a hike from the Mountaineer Lodge to the Laconia railroad yard via Snoqualmie Pass. Mentions devil's club and the nascent Sunset Highway (I-90) among other subjects. Section contains an Asahel Curtis postcard of a train track; magazine clippings; pictures of waterfalls, the Lodge, and the surrounding peaks; and the poem “In August” by Katharine Lee Bates.
The author and friends canoe to the Ragnar train station, where they board a train to Rockdale. They find the Lodge much improved. On a hike to the Snoqualmie River, they encounter men building the new Sunset Highway. The next day they visit a mountain lake before returning to Seattle.
Section contains many color postcards of river scenes; large magazine clippings of forested railroad lines; and photographs of the group and the waterfalls they encountered around the lake. Also featured are images of Sidney V. Bryant (namesake of Bryant Peak) and his wife.
The author follows a Mr. Playter on a hike to Snow Lake, while other Mountaineers climb Snoqualmie Peak. They follow a trail made by 'United States Rangers' to large waterfalls and fields of heather. At night they listen to President Meany's stories about a trip to Glacier Park. The next day, they help with lodge- and trail-building before returning to the train.
Section contains photos of the Lodge (with identifications of specific members and parts of the Lodge); a panoramic photo of Chair Peak and Snow Lake; views of Matterhorn and Mt. Rainier from Chair Peak; a copy of Edmond Meany's poem “The Eagle and the Peak”; and other miscellaneous photos from past trips.
A large group gathers at the Lodge to ready it for winter. They celebrate Mr. Bryant's wedding anniversary over dinner; the Lodge's architect, Carl F. Gould, makes an appearance as well. Section contains pictures of the Lodge, ready for winter; views on Denny Mt. and Snoqualmie Pass; and a picture of some women en route to the train at Rockdale.
Section contains photos of snowshoeing and sledding on a lake.
Section contains photos of the snowbound Lodge and its visitors, identifications of the surroundings peaks, and a feature from
Section contains photos of the Cascades in spring, complete with peak identifications.
Section contains photos of very deep snow around Guye's Peak and Guye's cabin.
Section contains full text of an article from the
Section contains story from the Mountaineer Bulletin regarding the group's purchase of 74 acres in Kitsap County.
The author takes a tour of the Seattle Municipal Power Plant at Cedar Falls. City Councilman Cooley answers questions about the artificial lake that will be created. Section contains fold-out map of Cedar River watershed; a newspaper article about the dam; photos of the dam and of Cedar Lake itself; and a group photo of the Mountaineers after their tour. There is also a compilation of Prof. Edmond Meany's poetry.
The back half of the album begins with a title page
Section titles written by Fairbanks are indicated by italics.
Includes the poems “Bluets” by Martha Haskell Clark and “Wanderlust” by Stacey M. Snow.
230 Mountaineers receive a warm welcome after arriving via boat. They hike on the beach and pick daisies. The next trip, they have a clambake. Section contains many photos of Mountaineers (mostly women) having lunch, listening to lectures, or picking daisies.
Part of the group goes to Wildcat Lake, and part goes to Hidden Ranch. Section contains views of Hidden Ranch, as well as the poems “Hidden Ranch” by Stacy M. Snow and “The Waiting Peace” by Amos R. Wells.
The Mountaineers hike to snowbound Hidden Ranch and make Christmas wreaths from ferns, cedar, fir, hemlock and spruce. Section contains assorted cut-outs as well as the poem “Flower and Seed” by Harriet Prescott Spofford.
The Mountaineers battle snow and mud on their way to a chicken dinner at the Silverdale Hotel. Section contains pictures of the hiking party at a distance, the hikers in front of the Silverdale Hotel, and a view across Dyes Inlet towards the Olympics.
A group of 187 enjoys a walk with views of Vashon Island and Mt. Rainier. Section features no original photography.
The Mountaineers take a hike to the shores of Hood Canal, but high winds drive them off. Section contains maps of Hood Canal and a photo of the Mountaineers taking lunch on a hillside.
The Mountaineers arrive via ferry and leave via rail; they pass through beaches, forests, and streams. Section contains three excellent group photos.
An uneventful hike to Bellevue. Section contains no original photography.
An uneventful trek around Mercer Island with Prof. Meany. Section contains a photo of the group eating lunch.
The group follows Mr. Carkeek on a slow walk around the island. Section contains no original photography.
The group hikes to the Port Orchard Soldiers Home, adjacent to the Puget Sound Navy Yard. Section contains a photo of some Mountaineers late to board their boat at the end of the hike.
Section contains a photo of some Mountaineers enjoying apple blossoms.
The group passes the Yeomalt Country Club, Yeomalt Point and the YWCA on their way to the ferry at Eagle Harbor. Section contains three photos of the Mountaineers eating lunch.
The group hikes to Manzanita and then to Crystal Springs, despite adverse weather; Section includes an excellent photo of the 'coffee line' at lunch.
Some of the Mountaineers bring their dogs along to enjoy the scenery. Section includes photos of the group gathered on a beach.
The group encounters many logs on their way to a beefsteak dinner with huckleberry pie. Section contains no original photography.
Prof. Gavett leads the hikers through poor weather to the Ravenna Park Pavilion. Section includes a newspaper clipping about a valuable ginseng root that the Mountaineers found during this hike.
The Mountaineers cross what was once farmland to get to Maple Leaf. Section contains no original photography.
The hikers skirt the edge of Lake Washington and encounter Japanese women working in strawberry fields. Section contains no original photography.
Four walks: Alki to Lincoln Beach; Kenyon St. to Gabe (Renton Line); 19th & E. Galer to Madison St. via Lake Washington; Kirkland to Northrup