The City of Mountlake Terrace is celebrating 60 years since its incorporation (November 29, 1954) during the first week of December.
At the end of the Dec. 1 City Council meeting, a PowerPoint presentation will include a walk down memory lane since the 1950’s. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Interim City Hall, 6100 219th Street SW, Suite 220, and cake will be served after the meeting.
Following the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, the 60th birthday will be recognized and cupcakes will be served at the end of the event. The Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place Friday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Playfield, 22205 56th Ave. W.
The city’s December issue of City Happenings features historical information and recollections by some of the city’s original residents and leaders. Additional tributes will be included in the February issue as well.
The election to incorporate was held November 23, 1954. According to an excerpt from the city’s December newsletter, “To place the incorporation vote before the citizens, signatures from at least 20% of the voters were required. There were two polling sites that fateful November day and voters chose a five-person City Council on the same ballot. When the votes were tallied, exactly 1,000 people voted with 517 in favor of incorporation and 483 against.”
Four men and one woman were elected as the first Mountlake Terrace City Council. Those members were: Gilbert Geiser (selected by the City Council as Mayor), Harley MacFarland (who served as the second Mayor of Mountlake Terrace), H. Scott Wilson, Lester Steele and Patricia Nebel.