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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 1, 1954
Diamond Anniversary Edition, page 5

FAMILY HISTORY OF BAKERS TOLD

Frank B. Baker and family and his father, L.D. Baker, came to Goldendale in the spring of 1903 from Forest Grove, Oregon. Frank brought several farms in the Spring Creek section. The John Hause place where the fish Hatchery is now; The Hale Farm; and the Mesler farm. Frank and his father had a feed store now where the Wayne Eddy has his variety store.
L.D. Baker and son Frank bought the Blockhouse store in 1906 from Mrs. Shellhart. There was a post office in the store, a General Merchandise Trading Center of the Klickitat Valley Wheat Belt. It had a large volume of Indian trade and as high as 200 Indians traded here at one time. A large trade of cattlemen and sheepmen taking their stock to Simcoe range for pasture was enjoyed, and a large trade from the Glenwood and Centerville sections.
Baker also bought the Blockhouse Mineral Spring Hotel. The hotel had three stories. He sold the store and Blockhouse Mineral Spring Hotel in 1916, the store to Mrs. Chapman from Eugene, Ore.
In 1910 Frank started the first Ford agency at Blockhouse. He had the first Ford in Klickitat County. The 1910 Fords cost $800, had brass works and carbon lights, kerosene taillight and parking lights, tires back 30x3 and a half front 30x3 . In 1914 Frank Baker and Green Bullick started the Service Garage (The Ford Garage). In 1916 Frank bought out Green Bullick. He also sold the Overlands and Dodges.
Tony Yankee started in 1910 at Blockhouse selling Fords. Then he moved the garage in March 1914. It was up to Earl Baker and Tony to teach the people how to drive. They ran a taxi service, they were subject to call day and night. The lights were so dim even at best. They often had to light a match to see if they were burning. Roads were wagon tracks; they were on call day and night to assist Dr. Collins when Doc could not make it in his car. Then too they drove for traveling salesman from Portland to drive them to Glenwood, Bickleton, White Salmon and other towns.
When Bob McCrow, who owned the meat market wanted to buy cattle it was again Tony or Earl and then the Ford. They would take off in the Ford up the Columbia Hills or anywhere the stock was, without the benefit of roads. Tony said he cannot remember any better taxi ever being found than the old Model T. which could chug so happily over roads, cow paths or open fields.
Frank Baker served as a special deputy sheriff under Sheriff's Scott Warwick, Fred Smith, Mel Warner and Ira Henderson. He served as director of the State Bank and also was a stockholder of the State Bank. The Bakers moved to town in 1916 on first street where Russell Sherman lives and bought the house.
Frank Baker passed away in August 1925. He was one of the biggest wheat ranchers in the Spring Creek section. Mrs. Baker sold the Garage to Sherman Duffield and Tony Yankee in Spring of 1926. Duffield and Yankee sold the garage to William Radke in 1945.
Earl and Ethel were born in Baker, Minn., named after their father and grandfather. Lee born in Forest Grove, Ore., Glen, Blockhouse and the twins Loris and Doris at Blockhouse.
Frank Baker passed away August 30, 1925; Josie Baker, November 11, 1942 and Glenn Baker, March 17, 1947.
Earl and Loris lives in North Bend, Washington, Ethel, Hood River and Doris in Goldendale.