Boomtown (36 page)

As we drove, my mind raced through all the unbelievable things we'd seen and all the impossible things that had happened—I still think of them after all these years. My memory wanders down the streets of Boomtown and I remember that remarkable and wonderful place. I wonder how Burton Ernie is doing. I wonder if Mabel ever learned how to make coffee. Is Frankie the Banker still robbing the bank? Is Walter still terrorizing his customers? I wonder how Xian's family has adapted to their new home. I wonder if Fred Cotton's truck is still on display at the museum. I wonder if the new pastor at the church has survived.

And I wonder if people will ever learn to live like the people of Boomtown already know how to live.

I wonder.

Boomtown Timeline

1830
Chang born in China.

1839
Mfana Losotu born in South Africa.

1846
Chang escapes China; Sang gives birth to Wang.

1848
California Gold Rush begins.

1850
Chang arrives in Okanogan Territory, Washington.

1854
Mfana Losotu taken as a slave to America.

1863
Mfana escapes during the Battle of Gettysburg at age twenty-four.

1872
Chang establishes the Black Powder Plant and Chang's Famous Fireworks Factory.

1878
May 18, Founding of Change, Washington, by Mayor Alden Purdy.

1882
Mfana Losotu arrives in Change.

1889
November 11, Washington achieves statehood.

1892
Chang dies in Hen Grenade explosion.

1894
The town of Change changes its name to Boomtown.

1899
Groundbreaking for the town hall.

1909
Stickville Slugs begin forty-year losing streak.

1911
President William H. Taft visits Boomtown.

1912
Boomtown Power Plant up and running.

1914
First Slush Olympics is held.

1929
Dr. Losotu dies and bequeaths his home and its contents as a museum.

1949
Reverend Button and his family arrive.