It’s hard to imagine clearing enormous old growth trees and their stumps with just brute force. But back when Alder was being cleared for homesteads, there were no backhoes or dozers. You had a few tools, a strong back, and friends . . . and maybe a little dynamite for those stumps.
Pictured here are some of the Boettchers doing just this kind of clearing. Left to right are: Charles Boettcher, Ernest Boettcher, Andrew Fyfe, his son Robert Fyfe, Andrew’s sister Margaret Fyfe Boettcher, Carl Boettcher and an unknown gentleman.
Photo courtesy of Pat Van Eaton.
Click on image to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 