Mystery Solvers: Here Are The Weekly Answers -- With Some Special Insight

It was a GREAT week for Mystery Solvers!

Thanks to all of you for your spirited play and great comments. We even learned some new about some University Place history.

Before we get to revealing the answers, we have a treat in store for you. Longtime University Place resident and avid Mystery Solvers player Chris Anderson submitted these terrific pictures from her private collection. (Thank you, Chris!) Join her as she gives commentary on each photo that is sure to get the conversation rolling about the history and beauty of our city.

Take it away, Chris!

Photo #1) The water feature at Adrianna Hess Wetland Park, taken in July 2007. I understand that birds love water features! One of the things I really liked about this image was the shadow of a fern cast upon the flat rock where water cascades below.  

Photo #2 ) The building just east of the vacant "Crystal Creek Pottery" on South 19th Street (by the Tacoma Marina) had the name of Belmarlow ADD. written on it. I don't know too much about this structure, but I love it. It has such character!

Photo #3) Leech Creek and Chambers Creek merge at Kobayashi Park near the house, which is a wonderful example of Mid-Century Modern architecture, by the way. This shot was taken in winter around dusk. Chambers Creek is named after Judge Thomas McCutcheon Chambers, who is my daughter's great-great-great grandfather.  

Photo #4) The "Crystal Creek Pottery" building on South 19th Street (by the Tacoma Marina) is another fascinating structure. I kind of remember my mother telling me that she'd considered renting the pottery building for a retail shop once. I vaguely recall telling her it wasn't a very good location. Ha!  

Photo #5) The "Stewart House." Like the Curran home and orchard, the Stewart house is rich in University Place history, perhaps even more so. This shot was taken when former council member Lorna Smith was looking into the possibility of the city purchasing some of the property for a park. She has more info on that subject than I do.  

Photo #6) Another fascinating mid-Century structure that I call the "Little Dutch Boy and Little Dutch Girl house." I don't know too much about this house, but became enraptured with it when I saw it (although it's a bit on the "kitschy" side for my taste). I was told it was of cinder-block construction which was more common in the 1940s than the '50s. Unfortunately, the vacant home has been vandalized over the years with graffiti and red paint. 

So, everyone, how did you do? I know that even being a 12-year resident, I sure learned some great new things.

I asked Chris a bonus question. Maybe you'd like to answer this, too.

Patch: What is your favorite piece of University Place history?  

CA: Since I am a relative newcomer to the city (moved here originally in 1978), I don't have as many years as some to reflect on. I would say my favorite was seeing my mother's hard work on incorporation come to fruition, and then seeing her elected to council where she served our community for many years with dignity and integrity.