By Judy Halone-The Courier-Herald

Members of the Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society are hoping the community will remember the city's past - one month at a time.

The group is in the process of designing a Bonney Lake calendar that will feature several photos from the past. Society president Dennis Dhaese said members are seeking photos from residents that depict the town in its earlier days.

“We're planning on putting several photos together for each month by using some kind of theme,” Dhaese said. Focuses could possibly include Lake Tapps and the area's settlers.

Getting the word out on Bonney Lake's history has become a passion for Leota Musgrave, one of the group's founding members.

“This area is rich in history,” Musgrave said. “It's important to let others know about it.”

Part of that history involves the role Bonney Lake played with early settlers who made their way to the Nisqually Valley, she said.

“Our history is tied in before a lot of the (Sumner and Puyallup) Valleys' history, because we had people coming off the Naches Pass who had to travel through here to get to the Nisqually Valley,” Musgrave said. Another major historical event worth remembering, Musgrave said, is the March 1856 battle at Connell's Prairie that took place between members of the U.S. Army and Native Americans.

“There's a large marker there to commemorate it,” she said.

Acquiring much historical information about the area is crucial to bringing awareness to area residents, particularly young people, Musgrave said, as few understand Bonney Lake's historical significance in its place during the Civil War period.

Keeping Bonney Lake's history relevant is one reason both Musgrave and Dhaese are striving to creating a historical museum. “Every single surrounding town around here has its own museum,” Musgrave said, referring to Black Diamond, Enumclaw, Buckley and Sumner. “But we have nothing here, and it's important for the people - especially the younger generation - to learn about it.”

Musgrave would like to see area students form a connection between the past and the present.

“We would love to have the Boy Scouts help out, or whoever thinks they'd like to go through our memorabilia,” Musgrave said. “I want them to learn. I have newspapers, but I need the articles cut out.” Helping collect photos for the calendar or assisting the society could also serve as a valid community service project for those working on high school senior projects, she said.

While keeping its eyes on the city's history, Dhaese is also looking at the future and hopes the group collects enough photos and information in order to have the calendar printed for sale in August for Bonney Lake Days. If anyone has photos that might be of interest to the group, both Dhaese and Musgrave would like to see them.

The Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the last Monday of the month at Bonney Lake Library, 18501 90th St. E. Its next meeting will take place Jan. 28. The public is encouraged to attend.

For information, call 253-863-0595.

Judy Halone can be reached at jhalone@courierherald.com.