The Campaign for the Rhododendron
A grassroots effort at Lee's Pharmacy seeks to crown the rhododendron as the official Washington state flower.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Mrs. D. L. Fry is making a determined effort to win for the rhododendron the honor of being adopted as the state flower. In the window of Lee's pharmacy on Second and Columbia streets, she has placed a fine exhibition of her choice. In every conceivable variety, the great flower is there to be seen. Some that were undecided made up their minds on the spot and went into the store where polling is conducted and cast their ballots for the rhododendron. By nightfall, over 500 votes were rolled up. The voting will be continued for several days, as Mrs. Fry and those interested hope to see Seattle cast several thousand votes to ensure there can be no doubt as to what flower the people of Washington desire.
“It is already ahead in the contest and it is desired to make its majority so great that there can be no doubt.”
Washington adopted the coast rhododendron as its official flower in 1892, following a campaign organized by women's groups. This story captures the transition from a territory to a state solidifying its cultural identity through civic symbols.
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