Dayton

Columbia County Courthouse

Last weekend I went up to Dayton for the town's annual car show. I was expecting maybe a couple dozen cars, something pretty small, but was pleasantly surprised by the hundred+ cars there.

Dayton was platted by Jesse and Elizabeth Dayton on November 23, 1871 and was officially incorporated about ten years later. According to Wikepedia, Dayton boasts the oldest train depot in Washington (1881) and the oldest continually-used courthouse (1887). Dayton is the county seat of Columbia County. The population is about 2600 as of the 2000 census. Several years ago the Jolly Green Giant company had a canning plant in Dayton; there is still a "hill carving" of the Green Giant just outside of town.

Aside from all the beautiful classic cars, I was also treated to drag racing down the main street of Dayton. Several community members raced those little razor scooters down the street--dressed in drag.

Lumber Store

Drag Race. They were going pretty fast! I think the lady in orange won overall. "She" also won the beauty pageant after the races.

Cool car interior.

Image of the Green Giant. 1000 years from now, scientists will be trying to figure out the meaning of the Giant, and will attach all kinds of incorrect interpretations to it.