The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

On Sunday, the Appelo Archive Center opened the C.A and Agnes Appelo Memorial Library in Naselle. The center, owned by the Wahkiakum Community Foundation, rents the space for the library.

Foundation President Linda Elliott said the room used to be used for storage.

“Look at it now!” she said with a big smile. “I’m so excited this has happened. To put together something like this on the Westend!”

Elliott believes this is the first time anything like this has opened in that area.

Don Chandler traveled from Cross Plains, Wisconsin, to attend the open house festivities. Chandler, who has deep roots in the region, wanted to gather as much information as he could find to take home for his personal memoirs.

Chandler said he has a bit of fame to his name. His mother, Margaret (Grandberg) Chandler, in 1928 participated in a contest to name the high school annual. She dreamed up the name Comets.

“So Mom is the origin behind that,” he said. “But Carlton knows. He knew my mother.”

Carlton Appelo, son of C.A and Agnes, said he is very proud of the new library. He said there is an excellent cross selection of items on display and they are still finding things in storage.

“One fellow brought in 800 photos on DVD!” he said. “We transferred them from one computer to another computer.”

Wahkiakum West is the corporate sponsor of the library with grants from the Templin Foundation in Long Beach, said Karen Bertroch, former executive director of the foundation. The center has also received money from private grants and sponsors.

The library is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is located at 1052 SR 4 in Naselle. The main entry is at the door next to the phone booth. For more information call (360) 484-7103.