Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
D2539-4
Date(s)
- 1936 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
ca. 1936. Bulb grower Karl Koehler, Sr. with a family in the tulip fields of Orting, circa 1936. The flowers are in bloom in the field and a farmhouse stands in the distance. Mr. Koehler first raised hops on his 52-acre land and later turned to dairying. He became involved in the bulb industry when butterfat prices dropped and he was unable to find help to milk his 45 cows. Mr. Koehler came to the Orting area in 1890 and remained there until his death at age 68 in October of 1942. By that time he was renowned for his hundreds of varieties of bulbs, specializing in tulips. National Geographic magazine ran a color photograph of Mr. Koehler standing amidst his multi-colored blooms and other publications, including Colliers and Saturday Evening Post, were active in promoting Mr. Koehler's farm and flowers. (T.Times 10-28-1942, p. 1-obit.; TNT 10-28-1942, p. 12-obit.; Gould: "History of the Flower Bulb Industry in Washington State, p. 71-72-article only) (Identification provided by a family member)
Koehler, Karl; Tulips--Orting;