On the eve of the second World War in 1941, Ellensburg city engineer and amateur photographer Fred L. Breckon began a multi-year pursuit documenting men and women of his town through his camera’s lens. An astoundingly ambitious project, Breckon made many of these photographs during his lunch break on the sidewalks of downtown Ellensburg. These images, along with detailed biographical notes on his fellow townspeople, amount to a documentary series of almost 1300 photographs.

Ellensburg Public Library has also been hard at work through the support of a 2010 Washington Rural Heritage grant digitizing another historically rich collection of Buildings, Businesses, and Schools in Ellensburg and the Kittitas Valley. Images date between 1904 and 1969, many of which also made by Fred Breckon.

A hearty congratulations to Carol Rich,  Milton Wagy, and everyone at the Ellensburg Public Library for their sustained dedication and contributions to Washington Rural Heritage! Be watching for more wonderful photos and documents from Ellensburg in the coming months.