Two giants of south King County history, Carl Steiert, left and Gary Grant are seen meeting outside the Black Diamond Historical Museum in October 1985. Carl is standing on a mine apparatus while Gary listens to the museum’s founder explain how the machine was used. Also known as trolleys or electric mules, electric motors pulled empty and loaded cars of coal along gangways and tunnels, replacing the horses and mules traditionally used during underground mining.
Steiert was known as Mr. Black Diamond due to his passion for preserving the history of the town that drew its name the shiny black rocks that lay below its surface. Carl began work at age 15 with the Diamond Stage Company in 1926, and in 1953 became sole proprietor and chief mechanic of the automotive shop he owned and operated on Highway 169 near Lawson Street. Carl, together with his wife, Ann spearheaded founding of the local museum and historical society in 1976. He passed away in April 2000 at age 89.
Grant was first elected to the State Legislature in 1962, serving five terms, plus two terms in the State Senate. He was elected to the King County Council in 1978 where he helped steer grants and funding to museums and parks. Gary was particularly fond of the Black Diamond Museum where a memorial brick bears his name. He later served on the Seattle Port Commission before retiring from public service in 1998. He passed away in January 2022 at age 87.
The photo comes courtesy of Tanya Grant and originally appeared in a political advertisement from the Oct. 30, 1985 VOICE of the Valley, when Gary Grant was seeking reelection to the King County Council.
