Hockinson residents look to keep Finnish culture vibrant

HOCKINSON – Driving through Hockinson, it’s hard to miss the white two-story structure on the corner of NE 182nd Ave. and NE 164th St.

Built by the United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters (UFKB&S) in 1931, it’s peeling paint and padlocked doors give little indication of the vital role the building played in the life of this small community.

The UFKB&S originated in San Francisco in 1882 with the goal of keeping the Finnish culture alive. Before the existence of Social Security and health insurance, the lodge also took on the job of assisting its ill and elderly members.

The organization spread across the country with the Hockinson lodge receiving its charter in 1924. Many of the names of the charter members remain familiar in the Hockinson area, including such surnames as Adolfson, Pietila, Sakrison, Hill, Cook, Kiivi, Huhtala, Ojala, Mattila, Lahdenpera, Niemi and others.

By 1929, the lodge had purchased an entire acre of ground for $10 and started construction of the building. The use of old growth timber and superior Finnish craftsmanship insured that, even now, the plain solid interior remains sound. The upstairs main hall covers an area of over 4,000-square-feet without the use of support pillars. One thousand people attended the dedication gala in 1931, a remarkable number for those days.

In following years, the hall remained the hub of community activity with plays, dinners, lectures, musical programs, vaudeville shows and dances. Dance music was often provided by Wally Risto on drums, Irja Swanson on the accordion, and Eileen Weisenborn on piano.

The Hockinson Apostolic Church met at the site before the building was completed and the school used the hall for carnivals and Christmas programs. In its hay day, the lodge had its own choir, drill team and marching band. The marching band included members of the Baxter, Konsa and Gronroos families. The band played at the dedication of Lewisville Park in 1936.

Membership has dwindled as the years have passed. Leonard Mattson wrote in 2004 that the sad decision was made in the late 1900s to sell the building, since the financial maintenance responsibilities had become a burden for the aging membership. The building was then sold for $165,000.

Those that remember the glory days of the hall hope that someone will recognize the historical and practical value of the hall and restore it to the community. Inquiries have been made about having it declared a historical site.

As has been the case with the building, the passage of time has also impacted the UFKB&S itself. Lack of membership has forced many lodges to give up their charters, with even the Portland chapter recently closing.

Staying relevant in today’s culture is a job taken on by the current officers, President Karen Pitt (Cook), Vice President Fran Stevens, Secretary Bunny McElveny (Ahola) and Treasurer Phyllis Maki.

During recent months, the group traveled to Astoria, OR, for a Sibelius concert, attended a program at the Alver Alto Library in Mt. Angel (Portland), and also toured the new Nordic Center in Portland.

The lodge also provides college scholarships for member’s children and grandchildren.

A July barbecue was held at member Gerry Adolfson’s house. The fall schedule of meetings will include a program regarding ancestry search using DNA, a discussion of the Finnish Civil War, and a speaker addressing the problem of homelessness in Clark County.

The group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Hockinson Cafe in Battle Ground. Those with Finnish ancestry, or just an interest in the Finnish culture, is invited to attend.

For more information, call members at the following numbers (360) 892-1142, (360) 892-6197 or (360) 891-1060.