Kent, Washington's Hoot Owl Band, circa 1889

By Jack Brummet, Green River Valley History Ed.

The Hoot Owl Band was a Kent, Washington ensemble that played dances in the Green River Valley. This group shot is from 1889, the same year that Washington became a state.

The band of eight local men provided music for mostly square dances and included Levy Smith (cornet), and George Crow(fiddle).  I believe Levy Smith is of the Smith Brother's family (who owned and ran a large dairy), and I grew up on Crow Street, named for George Crow's family. 

[Photograph from the collection of the Greater Kent Historical Society and Museum]

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