Clark County history: J. J. Hill’s 1905 visit to Clark County

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Clark County history: J. J. Hill’s 1905 visit to Clark County

On Oct. 1, 1905, railroad baron James J. Hill and a party of executives arrived in Vancouver about noon. Residents greeted them with whistles, bells, cheers and the 14th Infantry band played. President Charles M. Levey of the Portland & Seattle Railway organized the party. Hill passed through the crowd with humor, shaking hands with locals, introducing himself as “the old man Hill,” then met with local business leaders and officials. His visit s…