It seems like many of our treasured traditions are being cancelled and Black Diamond’s Labor Day celebration is no exception. Covid-19 may slay yet another custom but it can’t erase the memories of old-time fun as seen in this photo from 1978. Though rain tried dampening activities, community spirit was too strong as evidenced in the enthusiastic wheelbarrow race. It was one of a dozen events including the greased-pole climb, mixed-shoe contest, egg throwing, watermelon eating, tug-of-war, and granddaddy of them all, the annual parade at 10 a.m. sharp. Black Diamond’s Labor Day has long been an enjoyable time to close out summer and remember one’s youth.
The ball park where it all usually takes place has been a central feature of this coal mining town since its earliest days. When the old Pacific Coast Coal dismantled its company town in the late 1930s, the 4.5 acre baseball grounds were deeded to the school district with a special provision forever reserving “to the inhabitants of the Town of Black Diamond the right to use the area” for the conduct of sports. The field is used by children by day, and by the public after school hours, weekends, and summer vacation. This photo by Greg Gilbert appeared in the Sept. 6, 1978 Seattle Times and again in a 1985 article highlighting local Labor Day celebrations. It comes courtesy of JoAnne Matsumura, an Issaquah historian and collector of notable photos.
