An image from 1965 is a long time past, but just so when measured against a business that’s 118-years-old. The Black Diamond Bakery is certainly the oldest firm in town and no doubt ranks as one of Washington’s most storied establishments. This photo by George Carkonen features the same bread-baking oven still used today. It was fashioned in 1902 by a stone man named Don Plano under the direction of the original owner, Bill Hadley. To the left, George Eipper removes several loaves placing them on a tray held by then owner, Frank Dawson. At the time Eipper was 81-years-old having worked at the bakery for 42 years. In 1929, Eipper bought the bakery business from Emil Hadley, but not the land and building which he leased. In 1942, he purchased the land and building from Pacific Coast Coal Co. for $300 by way of a real estate contract with $20 down and the remaining $280 paid at a rate of $7.80 per month plus six percent interest. With payments complete the deed was issued May 17, 1944. Eipper sold the business to James and Marguerite Leroy in 1963, with Dawson joining a year or so later.
“Bread from the wood-fired oven has a thick, teeth-testing crust and the inside is full-bodied and filling,” is the description from a Dec. 12, 1965 Seattle Times article where this photo appeared. Eipper added that customers visit the bakery, “because of the quality. If we tore out the old oven and went electric, we would go out of business.” Bread remains the bakery’s first love, but customers are just as likely to come for their legendary breakfasts. The restaurant wing to the original building was added in 1989 and dinners began in 2007. This image comes courtesy of JoAnne Matsumura, an Issaquah historian and maven of aged photos.
