bakery.html

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 1, 1954
Diamond Anniversary Edition

LOCAL BAKERY STARTED IN 1921
By Mrs. Ernest Selbold

When Phineas L. Welter and Ernest Seibold started the building of a modern bakery in the summer of 1921 people were very skeptical. "Oh, they just won't make it; others have tried and failed, and they will to," was the general opinion. When the new shop was opened on September 21, 1921, many hundreds called to inspect and left well-satisfied.
The stores received their bread from Portland. As soon as the new bakery opened Mr. Ledbetter, who had a grocery in connection with his dry goods department, gave up the outside bread and handled only Goldendale bread as long as he was in business. When he sold out to Skaggs, they handled the bread exclusively until they changed to Safeway and had their own bakery in Portland, but they handled our bread just the same as long as we were in business. Mr. Bates, who had a grocery where Ben Bush is now was a little more conservative. He kept the out-side bread and took ours, saying "May the best man win," which was very fair. He soon handled only Goldendale bread as long at he was in business.
The County Fair was held in October of 1921. This was a busy time for the new bakery. At that time the Indians came for the fair and established their teepees, some very beautiful, at the fair grounds, where they exhibited their bead and basket work, took active part in the parade and races. They came early and were very good customers. Some were amusing. They could not talk English. One squaw said "See Joe" after trying to explain what she wanted. Joe was Mr. Gillenwaters, father of Dean Gillenwaters. He had dealt a lot with the Indians and could talk their language, he could translate and even taught some of us bakery folk to count to ten in Indian. He had a grocery where Western Auto is now.
The middle of November of that year brought the big Snow. The power plant on the Klickitat went out so all bread had to be mixed by hand. The modern youth of today when told about it just laughed and thought it very funny, and some thought we were just spoofing. The S.P. & S. train was stalled in the Klickitat canyon on its trip to Lyle. I believe it was 21 days before they could be dug out. No food came into Klickitat and they were practically marooned. The Highway crew dug through to Maryhill after about three or four days so Goldendale could get supplies.
The McMarr chain opened a store in Goldendale after Safeway was here and started a bread war. Bread sold for three cents and I believe they finally gave a loaf of bread free with a pound of coffee. The bakery weathered this as many people were loyal, but in the Yakima valley, several small bakeries had to give up where these things were practiced. People will look for bargins, not thinking of the consequences.
Bread was shipped by express to Klickitat, Wishram, Lyle, Glenwood, Roosevelt, Bickleton, Goodnoe Hills, Sundale and other small places. Many of these still get it, but it is delivered by truck now.
Welter and Seibold were hard workers. During the war years with all its worries with rationing, etc., and with help so hard to get, no vacation could be thought of. Both men became ill. Phiney had to give up first, but Ernest kept going with the help of the women of the families, for some months, but he finally had to give up after 24 years of faithful service.
The bakery was sold to V.A. Noga in June of 1945. He old Joe Siegman in Novemler of 1946. Joe had the shop for six years, then sold out to Robert Wentworth, who is running the shop now. The Welters moved to Vernonia, Oregon, where Phiney went in for gardening. The Seibolds stayed in Goldendale, and Ernest is helping Bob at the bakery part time. As the old saying goes, "It is hard to teach and old dog new tricks." Ernest celebrated 50 years of bakery service in 1953, and has never worked at any other trade. He enjoys the work, so is hard to keep out.
The old firm name, Goldendale Baking Co., is still the same.