Guide to the Betty Lou Anderson Diaries 1938-1949
Cage 722

BLA's father drained the pools and dams at the house. 1938 September 2-3 

The sisters picked 42 boxes of strawberries. 1938 September 6 

BLA had to read in front of the class and got a lunchbox and milk bottle for school. 1938 September 9 

BLA's family got in 4 loads of wood. Father worked on the house plumbing. 1938 September 11 

BLA's father went off on hunting trip. Her mother made candy. 1938 September 15 

BLA's father brought back 2 bobcats from a hunting trip. 1938 September 18 

BLA picked strawberries for 7 hours. 1938 September 21 

BLA got in a load of wood and had to write an English essay on fire prevention. Her father set animal traps. 1938 October 5 

BLA got in 4 loads of wood and went after "shakes" (wood shakes for shingles, etc.). 1938 October 16 

BLA "gave my first experience in the woods today." This was with her father for the first time in the thick forests in the local area. 1938 October 27 

BLA and her sister dressed up in Halloween costumes. 1938 October 31 

BLA's family went to Ray Wing's farm to haul hay. 1938 November 6 

BLA's family heard a cougar making noise most of the night. Her father went out to hunt it and could not find the cat. BLA got Bs on both her English and History tests. 1938 November 10 

BLA's family went into Hoquiam to see the film The Jones Family. 1938 November 13 

BLA noted the Thanksgiving turkey dinner with extended family that included aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents at the Anderson home in Hoquiam. 1938 November 24 

BLA went to the local Thanksgiving Day game and saw Hoquiam beat Aberdeen 12-0. This would prove to be a huge cultural event for the only two sizeable towns in the immediate local area each year at this time. BLA indicated that there was a lot of local pr 1938 November 30 

BLA was given a little puppy dog and named it "Major." 1938 December 1 

BLA and friends went to the beach near Grays Harbor to see the big ocean waves from a Pacific winter storm that was raging through the region. 1938 December 4 

BLA was part of a big school assembly and got out early for Christmas break. 1938 December 23 

BLA's family went into Hoquiam to see two films: Blondie and Artists in Paris. 1938 December 25 

BLA noted that she and her sister were extremely sick. A number of the diary entries throughout the years indicate that the Anderson family members were often sick. This was probably due to the difficulty of obtaining medical treatment in this small-town 1939 January 1 

BLA went back to school and bought a second-hand radio in Hoquiam. 1939 January 3 

BLA sold bottle caps in Hoquiam for 35 cents. Her family bought a Davenport. 1939 January 9 

BLA attended a "big school assembly" and the local high school basketball game between Hoquiam and Aberdeen. BLA's high school, the Hoquiam Grizzlies, won the game and the 1939 State Basketball title. 1939 January 13 

BLA made the school honor roll. 1939 January 23 

BLA went skiing (there are several entries in winter months detailing this each year). 1939 February 2 

BLA hauled hay and her father removed stumps. 1939 February 19 

BLA attended big school assembly with an instructional film. 1939 February 24 

BLA's father butchered livestock. BLA went into Hoquiam to see the film Jesse James. 1939 March 4 

BLA found a sick robin to care for. 1939 March 28 

BLA learned to drive in the family car. 1939 March 30 

BLA's family spent Easter Sunday with other local families exchanging decorated Easter baskets. 1939 April 9 

BLA helped her father plow. 1939 April 16 

BLA's family likes to play Chinese Checkers. 1939 April 24 

BLA noted the events surrounding the Pearl Harbor attack: "Today there is much news." Japan attacked Honolulu. Other events included FDR meeting with cabinet members, all of the countries that were attacked besides U.S., which countries declared war on Ja 1941 December 7 

BLA continued coverage of the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack: There was another blackout with lights being turned off by 9 p.m., Pacific radio stations turned off for precautionary measures, and another FDR speech on the radio. 1941 December 9 

BLA recorded that local people were worried about how to properly blackout their homes. There was an air raid drill at her school. 1941 December 11 

BLA recorded her hobby of photography. There are a number of diary entries after this point concerning photography. She worked at Espedal Photo in Hoquiam developing photographs for a brief time in the 1940s. 1941 December 13 

BLA recorded: "The Arizona was the battleship daddy took me on when I was little." 1941 December 15 

BLA wrote that her operation would cost the family $165. 1941 December 19 

BLA talked of a big family Christmas tempered by thoughts of World War II. 1941 December 25 

BLA noted that six army planes flew in formation over the Anderson home. 1941 December 28 

BLA begins noted some developments involving World War II. Her language reflected the mood of the times: "The Japs have captured Manila…they captured it." 1942 January 2 

BLA received a formal dress from Aunt Esther for her first formal dance at Hoquiam High School. 1942 January 5 

BLA had many entries about working and hanging out at Fairbairns Store over the next few years. 1942 January 11 

BLA moved into the general hospital ward from her private room. 1942 January 13 

BLA's father had a trying time catching a big mountain beaver. 1942 January 23 

BLA noted FDR's birthday. 1942 January 30 

BLA wrote of how she routinely went out and helped her father set animal traps around the family's property. 1942 February 1 

BLA excited about being selected to participate in the Girl's League the rest of the year. 1942 February 11 

BLA noted that both she and her sister suffered from bad asthma that plagued them periodically. 1942 February 21 

BLA wrote that a family friend, Tom, had been sent to Missouri for basic training. 1942 February 27 

BLA recorded that "The Japs are about to take Java. They took Shanghai quite awhile ago." 1942 March 5 

BLA's family planted more peas, carrots, potatoes, and strawberries. 1942 March 10 

BLA wrote that Hoquiam beat Linden at state 46-31. 1942 March 12 

BLA recorded that Hoquiam had another tough game but won again against Bremerton 39-36 to win the state championship. 1942 March 14 

BLA's father bought an expensive new suit. She also wrote that: "General McArthur is head of the forces in Australia." 1942 March 18 

BLA wrote that all of the men (including her father) who were guarding the bridges were laid off. 1942 March 31 

BLA's family spent the day planting many different types of foods. 1942 April 1 

BLA noted that: "Mussolini has gone 'bugs,' I always thought he was." 1942 April 13 

BLA noted that she got her hair done for $2 in Hoquiam and then saw two films: Martin Eden and Sullivan's Travels. 1942 April 18 

BLA noted some World War II developments: England took over Madagascar and the Japanese have almost captured Burma. 1942 May 4 

BLA noted that her father went into Hoquiam and registered for sugar rationing cards. She also wrote of the "Jap battle going on in the Coral Sea. The Americans sunk 11 ships and damaged 6." 1942 May 7 

BLA noted that she was selected to usher at Baccalaureate and Class Day at school. 1942 May 21 

BLA rode into commencement with Mr. Anderson (no relation) and ushered the event, wearing her new white dress for the first time. 1942 May 28 

BLA noted more World War II developments: The Japanese attacked Dutch Harbor and all of the local radio stations temporarily went off the air creating a scare that was unfounded. 1942 June 3 

BLA noted more World War II developments: Cecil Brown gave a talk on the radio about the sinking of his ship Repulse. 1942 June 7 

BLA's family took on a new boarder at their house, Charlie Davies. 1942 June 15 

BLA set out 20 cabbage plants, weeded celery and lettuce, tied up some peas, and hauled hay. 1942 June 19 

BLA's father cleared off the Victrola so BLA could set up photography studio. Photography was a major interest of hers from this point forward. 1942 June 27 

BLA and friend Judy learned to ride a bicycle for the first time. 1942 July 1 

BLA has a big family Fourth of July. A big meal with extended family that included roasted chicken, peas, potatoes, dressing, bread and watermelon. BLA also went down to the Seventh Street Theatre and sold $1.60 worth of U.S. War Bonds and later with her 1942 July 4 

BLA's family went up to Mount Rainier to the Sunrise side of the mountain. They visited and had lunch at the hotel situated at 6400 feet. BLA used her new camera to take a number of photographs. They also took a three mile hike around a frozen lake. 1942 July 12 

BLA went to Kent to go skating. She met a guy (unnamed), skated and went to the 7 Gables afterward for a soda. 1942 July 22 

BLA noted some World War II developments: the battle in the Solomon Islands is going in favor of the Allies. Russia has been retreating. 1942 August 10 

BLA's father spent time today working on the "Army Road" nearby. A number of roads were built to be able to move troops quickly up and down the coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest. 1942 August 24 

BLA's family went down to Harry Slye's to purchase an electric fence. 1942 September 4 

BLA recorded that they were experiencing an "Indian Summer." 1942 September 18 

BLA received a letter from Tom who was stationed in Northern Ireland. 1942 September 22 

BLA noted that there was a big school assembly on wartime safety involving representatives from the local police, Army, and other safety-oriented organizations. 1942 October 6 

BLA went into town to see some films: Wake Island and Priorities on Parade. 1942 October 16 

BLA and family went to visit two beaches: Copalis Beach and Pacific Beach on the Washington coast. BLA noted that Pacific Beach was locked down due to World War II, but that Copalis Beach was open. 1942 October 25 

BLA noted some World War II developments: "The Germans are running in Africa so fast that the Italians can't keep up." 1942 November 6 

BLA noted even more World War II developments: the second front began with the surrender of Algiers. She recorded that the Vichy Government broke off diplomatic relations with the U.S. and that most of the people in Africa seemed to be in support of the A 1942 November 8 

BLA noted more World War II developments: she posed the question as to whether the Allied invasion of Italy would originate from the new second front in Africa and also from English bases. 1942 November 10 

BLA noted that there was a "corny school assembly" and that a friend, Verna Larson, had to have her leg amputated. 1942 November 20 

BLA wrote that everyone in town is excited about the annual high school football game between Hoquiam and Aberdeen held on Thanksgiving. 1942 November 23 

BLA wrote of more World War II developments: the French had to scuttle their fleet in the harbor at Tulon in the face of a superior German fleet. 1942 November 27 

BLA received a letter from Tom in North Africa and Uncle Clyde in Australia (both in World War II). 1942 November 30 

BLA recorded what she received for her seventeenth birthday. 1942 December 1 

BLA noted that she went to her first big school dance and listed the names of the boys who attended. 1943 January 2 

BLA received a puppy named "Major" from her grandmother. 1943 January 12 

BLA noted some World War II developments: reports of the U.S. will demand unconditional surrender from the Axis powers. 1943 January 26 

BLA noted some World War II developments: FDR went to Africa to review the war effort. 1943 January 30 

BLA disgusted that Aberdeen beat Hoquiam 39-26 in high school basketball. 1943 February 2 

BLA recorded that the local area was experiencing fuel oil rationing. 1943 February 15 

BLA noted some World War II developments: Allied troops in Africa were facing severe setbacks by the Germans. 1943 February 22 

BLA noted that the U.S. Navy had destroyed about 90,000 tons of Japanese ships. 1943 March 3 

BLA noted that her Uncle Clyde related to them a number of stories about his adventures in World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy. 1943 April 8 

BLA's Senior Party for high school went into Hoquiam to see movies (films not specified). 1943 May 3 

BLA received her graduation robe. 1943 May 18 

BLA's graduation was held and she also learned of receiving an academic scholarship to Aberdeen Junior College. 1943 May 28 

BLA noted that FDR had ordered striking miners back to work. 1943 June 3 

BLA received a letter from Tom who talked of being in battle (battle not specified). 1943 June 11 

BLA noted that an anti-strike bill had passed over FDR's veto. 1943 June 26 

BLA noted that the local area was rationing soap for the war effort. 1943 July 1 

BLA wrote of a busy day of holiday festivities and parades in Seattle and that they ate at the Seven Gables restaurant. 1943 July 4 

BLA noted that Allied forces were attacking Sicily. 1943 July 10 

BLA noted that "Mussolini had resigned in Italy." 1943 July 28 

BLA noted with anxiety that her parents were trying to get their bills paid up. 1943 August 11 

BLA went with her family to Seattle and along the way picked up a soldier in Puyallup and gave him a ride. 1943 September 3 

BLA's family saw Boeing's new airfield in Seattle. She noted that over 1000 acres of the factory had been camouflaged. 1943 September 5 

BLA noted that Italy had surrendered. 1943 September 8 

BLA bought a U.S. War Bond. 1943 September 16 

BLA went to the movies with a friend and saw With A Banjo on My Knee. 1943 October 1 

BLA went to the movies and saw Wild Women and The West Side Kid. 1943 November 20 

BLA spent long hours at Espedal's developing photographs. 1943 November 26 

BLA went to the movies and saw Women at Work. 1943 December 3 

BLA's family went to Seattle to spend the Christmas holiday. 1943 December 24 

BLA went to the movies and saw Paris After Dark. 1943 December 30 

BLA went to the movies and saw Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. 1945 January 6 

BLA attended the big basketball game and saw Hoquiam defeat Aberdeen 42-28. 1945 January 19 

BLA went to the movies and saw The Fighting Lady. 1945 February 3 

BLA went to the movies and saw Meet Me in St.Louis. 1945 February 11 

BLA noted more World War II developments: U.S. airplanes bombed Tokyo. 1945 February 15 

BLA noted that her family listened to FDR's speech on the radio. 1945 March 2 

BLA went to the movies and saw The Princess and the Pirate. 1945 March 16 

Easter Sunday: BLA went to the movies and saw Thunderhead. 1945 April 1 

BLA's family had lunch on the ship "Watson." 1945 April 7 

BLA noted with sorrow reports of FDR's death and Truman as the new President and the impact it had in the local area. BLA also began a trip to Texas to see relatives, taking a train from Portland. 1945 April 12 

BLA's trip continued through Cheyenne, WY. BLA noted that as the train moved through the Rockies they encountered a huge blizzard, from Greeley to Denver and southern Colorado. 1945 April 15 

BLA met relatives in Houston and then drove 70 miles to Freeport, Texas. 1945 April 17 

BLA noted spending the day with bike riding and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. 1945 April 24 

BLA noted that Mussolini had been shot and hanged in public on an Italian beach by angry citizens. 1945 April 28 

BLA noted with excitement that there were unconfirmed reports of Hitler being dead. 1945 May 2 

BLA noted that the German Army had surrendered. 1945 May 5 

BLA took a boat ride to Bird Island and recorded seeing a 16-foot shark. 1945 May 7 

BLA left Houston on the famed Twin Star Rocket. This train was historic in that it was the only train permitted to enter service in World War II by the U.S. government. It had the longest north-south train route in the U.S. at the time. BLA arrived in Dal 1945 May 10 

BLA noted that she had been gone one month on her trip. She stopped in Missouri and saw where Jesse James had robbed a bank in the 19th century. 1945 May 13 

BLA arrived in Hayes, KS and arrived in Cheyenne, WY. 1945 May 23 

BLA neared the end of her long journey as she arrived in Portland and made it home to Hoquiam. She noted that the trip had covered over 7000 miles. 1945 May 25 

Another dinner at the same restaurant. 1945 May 28 

BLA had dinner at the Beehive restaurant. 1945 June 2 

BLA noted that she was seeing a chiropractor in Hoquiam. 1945 June 5 

BLA went to the movies and saw It's A Pleasure. 1945 June 10 

BLA noted that when she went to the movies that she saw Salome, the first film she had seen in the new Technicolor format. 1945 June 16 

BLA noted that she went into Aberdeen and bought her first pair of "bell-bottom trousers." 1945 June 21 

BLA went to the movies and saw The Body Snatchers and Gruesome. 1945 June 26 

BLA's family went to the movies and saw The Yellow Rose of Texas. 1945 July 4 

BLA went to the movies and saw Without Love. 1945 July 7 

BLA went to the movies and saw Burma and Buffalo Bill. 1945 July 12 

BLA went to the movies and saw China Sky. 1945 July 19 

BLA went to the movies and saw Back to Bataan. 1945 August 5 

BLA noted that Russia declared war on Japan. 1945 August 7 

BLA noted some more World War II developments: Unconfirmed rumors of Japan negotiating for peace. BLA stated that "The news looks good and I hope the boys out on the islands are celebrating." 1945 August 10 

BLA's family bought a new flatbed pickup truck to haul large amounts of canned goods to market. 1945 August 12 

BLA noted all of the excitement brought about by the official end of World War II: "Victory." "Today was the day we were waiting for. The celebration began at 4 p.m." She recorded how there was a lot of noise and commotion: "Whistles, bells, horns…everyon 1945 August 14 

BLA noted that there was still some fighting between Russia and Japan. 1945 August 16 

BLA noted that her family listened to the radio live at 6:30 p.m. about the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. 1945 September 1 

BLA's father bought 60 acres of land for $400, farther out in the country than their home, in order to grow more crops for market. 1945 September 20 

BLA noted with sorrow that Fairbairns had sold their store in Hoquiam. 1945 October 5 

BLA went to the movies and saw Rhapsody in Blue. 1945 October 26 

BLA was installed as the new Secretary of Beta Sigma Phi. 1945 October 30 

BLA attended the annual Thanksgiving Day football game and saw Hoquiam defeat Aberdeen 25-0. 1945 November 22 

BLA celebrated her 21st birthday with family and friends. 1945 December 1 

BLA noted that she was taking dancing lessons in Hoquiam. 1945 December 28 

BLA noted that there were more people in Hoquiam than usual for the New Year's Eve festivities. 1945 December 31 

BLA noted that for New Year's Day she heard a number of whistles blowing at the factories. 1946 January 1 

BLA recorded that she attended the American Legion formal dance with David. 1946 January 12 

BLA received a raise to $165 per month. 1946 February 1 

BLA went to the movies and saw This Love of Ours. 1946 February 16 

BLA noted that she witnessed a big fight between pulp mill workers on the way home from work in Aberdeen. 1946 March 4 

BLA noted that she was working on a committee report for "Westhaven Base" (now Westhaven State Park, located in Westport, Washington). 1946 March 6 

BLA went to the movies and saw Whistle Stop. 1946 April 14 

BLA's father was in a serious accident (not specified) and returned to work. BLA noted that his fellow workers raised $55 for him and also paid his union dues. 1946 April 26 

BLA went to the movies and saw Johnny Comes Flying Home and Dragonwyck. 1946 May 3 

BLA noted that her sister Peg graduated from high school. 1946 May 28 

BLA's family spent her father's birthday at the movies and saw The Virginian. 1946 June 1 

BLA refers to the new property as the "Ranch." 1946 June 3 

BLA noted that the U.S. government "Set off the 4th atomic bomb in Bikini Bay today." 1946 June 30 

BLA received another bump up in her pay as it was raised to $175.00 per month. 1946 July 1 

BLA reported that her father quit his job at the P.U.D. (Public Utility District). 1946 July 12 

BLA's family went up to Mount Rainier and spent the day at Paradise Inn and Longmire Park. 1946 July 27 

BLA noted that her father hurt his back again working at the pulp mill. 1946 August 13 

BLA noted that she was busy working at the Port of Aberdeen typing reports and correspondence. She also reported that there was a local Longshoreman strike. 1946 October 1 

BLA went to the movies and saw Holiday in Mexico. 1946 November 2 

The family celebrated BLA's grandfather's 93rd birthday. 1946 November 29 

BLA attended a formal dinner sponsored by the Socialist Labor Party. 1946 December 8 

BLA went to the movies and saw Notorious. 1947 January 12 

BLA went to the movies and saw The Al Jolson Story. 1947 February 15 

BLA went to the movies and saw Blue Skies. 1947 March 1 

BLA took a trip to Tacoma and ate lunch with her friend at the Oyster House. 1947 March 15 

BLA received another pay raise to $175 per month. 1947 April 1 

BLA noted that she was quite pleased with the feedback received for her report on Westport. 1947 April 22 

BLA noted that the sugar rationing due to World War II officially ended today. 1947 June 12 

BLA's new boyfriend, John, put in an application to work at the pulp mill. 1947 June 25 

BLA's family spent the Fourth of July at the ranch with relatives. 1947 July 4 

BLA went to the movies with her boyfriend, John, and saw: Along Came Jones. 1947 July 10 

BLA showed off her new "motion picture" camera and took family films of all of her relatives at the house. 1947 July 16 

BLA felt ill again. 1947 August 3 

BLA's parent's 25th wedding anniversary. 1947 September 9 

BLA went to a Beta Sigma Phi meeting in Hoquiam. 1947 September 24 

BLA went to Olympia on the bus. Met a friend and went bowling and shopping. 1947 October 4 

BLA wrote about working another day of long hours at Espedal's developing film. 1947 October 24 

BLA joined a book-of-the-month club and read Three Came Home. 1947 November 12 

BLA's parents sold the 1927 Chevrolet to a neighboring family. 1947 November 23 

BLA attended the Thanksgiving Day game and saw Hoquiam defeat Aberdeen 22-7. 1947 November 27 

BLA went to Seattle after work at Espedal's to see her grandmother. 1947 November 29 

BLA's 23rd birthday, but had to work at Espedal's most of the day. 1947 December 1 

BLA and other members of Beta Sigma Phi went out around the local area and delivered food to needy families for Christmas. 1947 December 23 

BLA noted her father's multiple jobs and their impact on the family: "Daddy is working the 4 to 12 shift." BLA's father worked a lot of odd hours that included day, night, and weekend shifts 1948 January 6 

BLA worked at the Port of Aberdeen on an annual report in conjunction with the Washington State Ratings Board (WSRB). 1948 January 16 

BLA noted with sorrow how Grandpa Wilson died. 1948 January 26 

BLA went to the movies and saw Crossfire. 1948 February 7 

BLA and friends went to the movies and saw two films: Grapes of Wrath and Tobacco Road. 1948 February 28 

BLA is elected as the Beta Sigma Phi delegate to the Hoquiam City Council. 1948 March 1 

BLA went to the movies and saw Gone With the Wind. 1948 March 22 

BLA went to a formal dance. 1948 April 16 

BLA attended the Founder Day's Banquet in Hoquiam. 1948 April 29 

BLA went into Hoquiam and saw a movie: The Love of Andy Hardy. 1948 May 4 

BLA played music with a fiddler group. 1948 June 23 

BLA went into Hoquiam with her family for the town's Fourth of July celebration and parade. 1948 July 4 

BLA's dog Major died from a kidney infection. She noted that his death "sure made us feel bad." 1948 July 13 

BLA's family went to Centralia for a picnic. BLA noted that she took a short ride in an airplane for the first time. 1948 July 25 

BLA's father quit his job at Woodlawn Plywood because they refused to fix his saws. 1948 August 11 

BLA's family drove up the Columbia River highway and saw Multnomah Falls and the Bonneville Dam. They ate dinner in Vancouver. 1948 September 12 

BLA and Lilly ate lunch in Seattle at Clark's restaurant and then went to see a movie: On An Island With You. 1948 September 15 

BLA's family went to the State Fair. 1948 September 18 

BLA and her grandma went to Kent for some clothing materials. 1948 September 21 

BLA went to a Beta Sigma Phi meeting in Hoquiam. 1948 September 29 

BLA and her father filled up the pens at the ranch with chinchillas. 1948 October 5 

BLA attended a city council meeting in Hoquiam. 1948 November 1 

BLA spent the day developing film at Espedal's and then went to the movies and saw When My Baby Smiles at Me. 1948 November 13 

BLA and her mother went to the movies and saw Jap Roots and Byrd's Expedition to the South Pole. 1948 November 22 

BLA celebrated her 24th birthday with the family. She noted that there was a high tide coming into the local coastal area and people in Hoquiam and Aberdeen were preparing for a possible flood. 1948 December 1 

BLA noted that there was a lot of confusion down at her work at the Port of Aberdeen as an unregistered ship, the Santa Lenox, arrived and docked there. 1948 December 10 

BLA's family attended Grandpa Anderson's funeral and burial in Olympia. 1948 December 13 

BLA's father bought her mother the family's first sewing machine and a Christmas turkey. 1948 December 22 

BLA's family went to Grandma Anderson's and opened Christmas presents as BLA took home movies. 1948 December 25 

BLA went to a Beta Sigma Phi meeting in Hoquiam. 1948 December 27 

BLA worked on income tax documents at work. 1949 January 1