Chris Ehret, fifth from left in this photo, and Carl Ehret, 10th from left, stand with a Christmastime crowd about 1910 in front of the new Ehret Brothers store at what is now SW 6th and Cascade. This was Redmond’s first brick business building. The brothers’ original wood frame store, built in 1905, was at the corner of SW 6th and Evergreen. The new building was constructed from bricks fired at a local brickyard owned by Advance Construction of Portland. The bricks were from the second kiln fired in September.

100 years ago

Oct. 14, 1921 — Firefighters commended to state marshal

“There is perhaps no city in Oregon that has a more capable and enthusiastic fire department than Redmond.”

This commendation is contained in an official fire survey of the city made two weeks ago for State Fire Marshall A.C. Barber.

“The equipment consists of one American-LaFrance double 35-gallon chemical engine, two hand hoses — each carrying 500 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose, and one hook-and-ladder truck equipped with two 35-foot extension ladders and one roof ladder.

The organization consists of 30 members, all volunteers. The fire alarm system consists of a town bell.

75 years ago

Oct. 17, 1946 — New bowling lanes offer recreation

Although considerable finishing work remains to be done, Mr. and Mrs. I.M. Ivancovich have opened their new Redmond Bowling lanes building at 133 N. 6th St. League play started Monday night.

The six new alleys installed are the newest design with Brunswich modernization.

50 years ago

Oct. 20, 1971 — Hi-Q team victorious

Redmond High School’s Hi-Q team made it three in a row by debating Seaside 275-90 Thursday evening, after traveling through rain and snow to reach the Portland students of KGW. The match was telecast Sunday evening over Channel 8.

The Panthers became the first school this year to earn the right to compete in the tournament of champions next spring by defeating three consecutive squads. Earlier RHS defeated Cleveland of Portland and The Dalles.

The team, composed of Tom Manning, George Guthrie, Dave Hart, Rick Brown and alternate Larry Crosstte, earned a three-foot high silver trophy, which is being displayed at the school Coach is Chuck Logan

25 years ago

Oct. 16, 1996 — State eyes Redmond for prison

Like it or not, Redmond is in the running for a state prison.

On Monday, one week after the city council rescinded its resolution expressing an interest in one of two minimum-security work camps to be built in the state, a panel for the Oregon Department of Corrections nominated Redmond and a site near Mitchell for the facilities.

Redmond, which had proposed a 30-acre site near the airport, still could be passed over.

The Corrections Department next week plant to nominate two to four more sites for the two minimum-security jails, meaning the city will be one of as many as six communities considered.

The city held a town hall meeting earlier this month to gauge how residents feel about the jail, which could house as many as 400 inmates who would be assigned to community service details during the day.

The city had scheduled a second public meeting for Tuesday night but canceled it after learning the state intended to announce the first round of nominations Monday. The city, which was told nominations would be made at month’s end, asked to be removed from consideration over concern that citizens would not have enough time to comment.

Lisa Strader, facilities administrator for the Corrections Department, said the schedule was moved up two weeks several months ago.

Besides, she added, the state has the authority to nominate any community for a jail, even if the community opposes it. Gov. John Kitzhaber is exercising that authority now with respect to Salem, Eugene and Wilsonville.

The state plans to build eight prisons in the next 10 years to house more than 10,000 inmates.

In addition to Redmond, two sites near Madras were nominated Monday for medium-security men’s prisons.

A five-member citizens panel will hold hearings over the next two months, then recommend sites to the governor, who plans to make the final decision Dec. 17.