It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Kizer House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Granger, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and”
“They were my mother's caretakers up until we moved away to seek life saving treatment.”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since Always Best Care came into my life, my worries have ended. I never knew if previous caregivers were going to show up, or do what I needed. Everytime they would complete a task, they would sit down and be on their phone. Kari and Jamisha finish a task and right to the next. No problems. My mind has been put at ease. They are very professional yet so so friendly. They ask, what else they can do for me. I also have my ABC emergency call button. Now I have peace of mind if an emergency should arise. My case coordinator Stephanie Stevens. Stays right on top of my case. Thank you so much for making my life easier. I have recommended your company to others that may need assistance in the future.”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and in scheduling care. With respect to the caregivers, we have no complaints. We want to give a special thank you to Rhona for her time and effort in creating a special bond with our mother.”
“They were my mother's caretakers up until we moved away to seek life saving treatment. It was hard for them at times, because sometimes the homecare aides sometimes called off last minute. One time something came up missing, and the owner personally delivered a replacement. They're not perfect but they try their best.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Klinedinst Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ruth's Chris Steak House or visit Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Granger, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Granger, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Granger, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Meet the actors playing the Potter, Weasley-Granger and Malfoy families in a continuation of JK Rowling's wizarding story on the London stage.The new castFrom 24 May 2017, a new cast will take over the major roles of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in London.The stage play introduces us to an olde...
Meet the actors playing the Potter, Weasley-Granger and Malfoy families in a continuation of JK Rowling's wizarding story on the London stage.
From 24 May 2017, a new cast will take over the major roles of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in London.
The stage play introduces us to an older Harry Potter and a new adventure in JK Rowling's wizarding world.
Jamie Glover (best known as a star of TV's "Waterloo Road") takes over as Harry Potter with Emma Lowndes as his wife Ginny Potter and Theo Ancient as their son Albus Potter. Rakie Ayola will play Hermione Granger, with Thomas Aldridge as Ron Weasley and Helen Aluko as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. James Howard steps into Draco Malfoy's blonde wig, with Samuel Blenkin as his son Scorpius Malfoy.
Click through to meet the original actors who brought the "Cursed Child" to life on stage.
Jamie Parker is the first actor to play Harry Potter in the stage play. Parker has appeared on stage in the original production of "The History Boys" (and its film adaptation) and in various Shakespeare plays. He also had a small role in Tom Cruise film "Valkyrie".
Poppy Miller plays the adult Ginny Potter, now married to Harry. She previously appeared on stage playing Mary Magdalene in "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" and had a recurring role on Nickelodeon's "House of Anubis".
4 of 13 Charlie Gray
Young actor Sam Clemmett plays Harry and Ginny's youngest child, Albus Severus Potter.
5 of 13 Charlie Gray
The Potters face the ghosts of the past in the new play.
6 of 13 Charlie Gray
The Potters are joined by the Weasley-Granger family.
7 of 13 Charlie Gray
Olivier Award-winning actor Noma Dumezweni, who has appeared twice in "Doctor Who", plays Hermione Granger.
8 of 13 Charlie Gray
Paul Thornley, who had a small role in the recent "Les Misérables" film, is Ron Weasley.
9 of 13 Charlie Gray
Birmingham-born Cherrelle Skeete is Ron and Hermione's daughter, Rose Granger-Weasley.
10 of 13 Charlie Gray
Let's hear it for the bad boys: the Malfoys.
11 of 13 Charlie Gray
Harry's old school bully Draco Malfoy is now a bearded adult. He's played by Alex Price, who's appeared in "Father Brown" and "Being Human". He was also the lead vampire in the Venice episode of "Doctor Who".
12 of 13 Charlie Gray
Newcomer Anthony Boyle, who played a guard in one episode of "Game of Thrones", is Draco's son Scorpius. Honestly, who names a kid Scorpius?
13 of 13 Rich Trenholm/CNET
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" takes place in two parts at the Palace Theatre in London.
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
Granger, located between Zillah and Sunnyside in the Yakima Valley, was named for Walter Granger (1855-1930), who helped irrigate and promote the region beginning in the 1890s. The town incorporated in 1909, and in recent years has become known as the place "where dinosaurs roam."An Oasis in the DesertFor centuries, Yakama Indians camped near the confluence of Satus Creek and the Yakima River, a few miles southeast of what is now Granger. After the tribe was forced to cede its lands when its leaders r...
Granger, located between Zillah and Sunnyside in the Yakima Valley, was named for Walter Granger (1855-1930), who helped irrigate and promote the region beginning in the 1890s. The town incorporated in 1909, and in recent years has become known as the place "where dinosaurs roam."
An Oasis in the Desert
For centuries, Yakama Indians camped near the confluence of Satus Creek and the Yakima River, a few miles southeast of what is now Granger. After the tribe was forced to cede its lands when its leaders reluctantly signed the 1855 Walla Walla Treaty, tribal members moved onto the Yakama Reservation. This opened up the Yakima River valley for settlement.
In the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railway arrived on land granted to it by the federal government. The grant stipulated that five years after the completion of the transcontinental line, the land would be sold, in order to spur settlement. In the Yakima Valley, the Northern Pacific right-of-way approximately paralleled the Yakima River, on dry desert land -- an ecological region technically known as shrub-steppe and dominated by big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. It was a landscape ripe for irrigation.
In the 1890s, work began on the Sunnyside Canal, an irrigation project begun by Walter Granger and a group of St. Paul, Minnesota, investors. Their corporation -- the Yakima Land and Canal Company -- scouted for townsites while the canal was being dug. Zillah was founded in 1892, and Sunnyside a year later. Granger and his new bride, Maud Thomas, made Zillah their home.
A Town Is Born
In 1904 the newly formed Granger Land Company established a new town midway between Zillah and Sunnyside, which they named Granger. Thanks to an aggressive ad campaign in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane newspapers, scores of people bought homes in Granger. Some of the new residents opened businesses.
Within a few years the town had shops, clothing stores, a hardware store, a bank, a hotel, saloons, a meat market, a bakery, a cannery, a photo gallery, and more. By the end of the decade, Granger had enough residents to incorporate, which it did on September 28, 1909. The first child born in the newly incorporated city was named Walter Granger Nelson. Walter Granger himself presented the baby with a silver engraved cup and spoon.
Bricks and Farms
During its first year after incorporation, Granger gained more than 200 new residents. Many of them were families, and this necessitated the construction of a new four-room schoolhouse, which the town quickly outgrew. A few years later a new high school was built.
Steady work could be found at the Granger Clay Products Company, which had opened a brickyard in 1903. Other newcomers found plenty of available jobs at local farms, which produced asparagus, potatoes, wheat, fruit, beets, hops, and more. Cherries were a popular crop, and Granger later adopted this fruit as its emblem. The town still holds its annual cherry festival every spring.
Other farms bred livestock, and herds of cattle were raised for milk or for meat. Sheep were also popular, and were pastured throughout the valley. Occasionally the sheep caused problems, as when the herd wandered onto train tracks or highways, sometimes causing accidents.
Fighting Depression
Like many rural cities, Granger fell upon hard times during the Great Depression. One bright spot during those years came from Clay Bell, owner of the Granger Hardware and Furniture store, and also a Justice of the Peace. Bell offered "Guaranteed Weddings" for 39 cents, a stunt which got written up in the pages of Readers Digest. Couples came from miles around for these bargain nuptials.
In 1938, the townsfolk organized a fire department, which had previously been all-volunteer. Granger already had fire hydrants, but nearly half of them were defective. The new fire department fixed the hydrants and bought a fire truck.
The following year, Granger received a big boost when the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) approved funding to pave the town's streets. Some $21,000 was spent on the project, and the choking dust stirred up by local drivers became a thing of the past.
The War and Beyond
In 1942, the Granger bridge spanning the Yakima River collapsed, creating a serious problem for those wishing to enter or exit the city from the south. Because of wartime shortages, only material salvaged from demolished bridges could be used to create a replacement. A temporary bridge was built, but its low speed and weight restrictions -- and narrow roadway -- vexed drivers for 25 years. A concrete span was built in 1967.
During World War II, many of Granger's young workers joined the armed forces, creating a labor shortage on local farms. In 1942, more than 500 Mexican nationals arrived in the Yakima valley under the federal Emergency Farm Labor program -- also known as the Bracero program.
Some of these migrant workers later became citizens, as did family and friends who followed them. Latino settlement flourished in Granger, and today (2013) the town's population is almost 90 percent Hispanic.
A Town Revitalized
After the brickyard closed in the 1960s due to a depleted clay supply, Granger began to fall on hard times. Also, less work was available on farms. By the 1980s Granger was one of the poorest towns in the state. It was also one of the youngest towns, because of the number of large Hispanic families. In 1990, Granger had 2,053 residents, with a median age of 24.1 years.
More and more people were visiting the Yakima Valley due to its burgeoning wine industry, and Granger sought a way capitalize on the tourism. Decades earlier, woolly mammoth bones and tusks were unearthed in one of the clay pits, so town officials chose a dinosaur theme to promote their community. Beginning in 1994, townsfolk built dinosaurs out of wire mesh and concrete, and placed them throughout Granger. Each year they add one more during the Dino-in-a-Day festival.
The theme worked, and Granger is now known as the town "where dinosaurs roam." Hisey Park alone has more than two dozen dinosaur statues, and in 2010, the town dedicated a new amphitheater there for community gatherings. The park's restrooms are shaped like volcanoes.
Sources: W. D. Lyman, History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Vol. 1 (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919); The Granger Library Club, Granger: The Town, The Land, The People (Walla Walla, Saxum Publications, 1975); Harriet Baskas, Washington Curiosities, 3rd: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press, 2011); "The Town of Granger Is Only a Baby But Has Corralled Three Railroads" (newspaper ad), The Seattle Times, September 26, 1909, p. 28; "Has Dinosaur Theme Run Amok?," Ellensburg Daily Record, May 24, 2001, p. A-8; "Young People Share the Streets with Dinosaurs in Granger," Ellensburg Daily Record, December 5, 1994, p. 7; "Granger Brickyard Is One of Yakima Valley's Hidden Stories," Yakima Herald-Republic, September 30, 2012, p. A-1.
Related Topics
Licensing: This essay is licensed under a Creative Commons license that encourages reproduction with attribution. Credit should be given to both HistoryLink.org and to the author, and sources must be included with any reproduction. Click the icon for more info. Please note that this Creative Commons license applies to text only, and not to images. For more information regarding individual photos or images, please contact the source noted in the image credit.
Major Support for HistoryLink.org Provided By: The State of Washington | Patsy Bullitt Collins | Paul G. Allen Family Foundation | Museum Of History & Industry | 4Culture (King County Lodging Tax Revenue) | City of Seattle | City of Bellevue | City of Tacoma | King County | The Peach Foundation | Microsoft Corporation, Other Public and Private Sponsors and Visitors Like You
London theatregoers have been able to follow the stage career of Noma Dumezweni for a long time now: She’s been seen in work as varied as Royal Shakespeare Company’s cycle of Shakespeare’s History plays, in the West End in work by Pirandello (with Ian McDiarmid) and at the Royal Court, where last December she valiantly and triumphantly stepped into the title role of a play called Linda just four days before the first preview—when its original star Kim Cattrall suddenly had to withdra...
London theatregoers have been able to follow the stage career of Noma Dumezweni for a long time now: She’s been seen in work as varied as Royal Shakespeare Company’s cycle of Shakespeare’s History plays, in the West End in work by Pirandello (with Ian McDiarmid) and at the Royal Court, where last December she valiantly and triumphantly stepped into the title role of a play called Linda just four days before the first preview—when its original star Kim Cattrall suddenly had to withdraw. Earlier this year, she made her directorial debut at the Royal Court with a play called I See You, co-produced with Johannesburg’s Market Theatre.
READ 7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LONDON’S NEWLY ANNOUNCED HERMIONE GRANGER
The powerhouse actress is also now in previews for the biggest London theatre show of this (or any) year: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The new play continues the Harry Potter story by bringing it to the theatre for the first official time and tells a brand-new eighth chapter in the saga. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling collaborated with playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany to bring the story directly to the stage.
“These last six months have been extraordinary, and I have to enjoy it,” the warm and modest Dumezweni says as she eats a salad dinner before a preview performance. “The possibilities [of life] are endless, and I’ve been so lucky. This is the one job in which I see every walk of life in—what a privilege. And I’m so lucky to be able to speak to it and talk to it, and find myself pushed out of my comfort zone.” That’s partly a reflection of the diverse casting and different backgrounds of the company itself.
The film versions, and, in particular, Emma Watson in the role of Hermione, provided a visual reference for many fans. So there was consternation in some quarters when producers announced Dumezweni as the inheritor to originate the role of adult Hermione onstage. In a story that resumes 19 years later from the final book, Rowling tweeted her public support of her casting when announced last December.
Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione ?? https://t.co/5fKX4InjTH
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 21, 2015
And more recently:
We found the best actress and she's black. Bye bye, now. https://t.co/1fGmP5znHP
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 10, 2016
Dumezweni’s new role points to a new kind of refreshing diversity in the theatre: “You’ve got a beard and I’ve got Afro hair—we have different features, but we’re human,” she says simply.
“I’ve over all that now in the loveliest way,” says Dumezweni. “I’m the one who has the job and I’m owning it. We’re storytellers—and if the story is told well, you go with the form. My form is theatre, and I’m truly part of an ensemble. I’m working with theatre-makers who are the top of their game, and it’s extraordinary.
She’s warmly appreciative of the fact that there’s been no emphasis on star casting. “John [Tiffany] and the casting department just wanted people to tell the story. It wouldn’t work with names people knew already.”
But she’s delighted, for one thing, to be working again with Jamie Parker, who plays Harry Potter and with whom she previously appeared in Chichester in a play called The Coffee House, alongside Paul Bentall who is also in Harry Potter. “We’re all theatre animals!” she exclaims.
”When we came into the theatre for the five-week tech and watched it all coming together … I saw that something beautiful was cooking.”
She knows, of course, that the interest in her now is specifically because of Harry Potter. “Why we are sitting here now is because of this story,” she says. “I’m pleased you know about Linda and the other work I’ve done, but a lot of other people who have interviewed me don’t! We’re theatre creatures, and that’s the world we’re in.”
And that’s more appropriate than ever in talking about a theatrical appropriation of the story. Of course Harry Potter lived first on the page, where Dumezweni first came to it when she spotted lots of adults reading it. “I got curious,” she admits. “The only [blockbuster book] I’ve not rushed to read is Fifty Shades of Grey! But I grew up reading Roald Dahl and Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and they’re parables for living. I’ve always been curious about the other worlds we can shift into in our imaginations.”
The world of witchcraft and wizardry recruited Dumezweni earlier last year, when she was was part of two workshops, first working with John Tiffany and Jack Thorne on the script and participating in a reading for J.K. Rowling. Later, she worked on a three-week workshop staging in September, before she was officially cast.
“At the end of that workshop John came up to me and said, ‘I want you to do it.’” The December announcement, however, moved her into a different gear: She was in the midst of her previously unscheduled appearance in Linda at the time, a play that she says shifted everything for her.
“I got the call from Michael [Longhurst, Linda’s director] on Wednesday, and I met the company and blocked the show on Friday and Saturday. Monday we did the first day of tech! On Tuesday it hit me, ‘What the f*ck have I done?’” But life and theatre is about taking risks, and she’s fearless onstage and off.
One of the fears of the show’s creators is keeping the details of the production under wraps. Audiences have been implored to keep the secrets about the play’s twists and revelations, and Dumezweni must, too. “The audience comes in knowing the characters to the marrow. But there’s one particular line I love hearing—because there are audible gasps after it is said!”
The writer of that line, Rowling, has been “beautifully supportive,” says Dumezwni. “I’m so humbled by that. She’s one of the people who are a true and natural leader. She’s someone who sparks life, and Harry Potter did that for so many people. She came to talk to the company after the first preview and said … she was overwhelmed—it reminded her of why she wrote this book, this story of family.”
GRANGER — Jose Bazán has designed residential and public structures throughout Washington. On Thursday, another project brought him back to where he grew up.Bazán attended the groundbreaking of the new Granger Historical Society Museum, which he designed. It will stand at 223 Second Ave., next to the ...
GRANGER — Jose Bazán has designed residential and public structures throughout Washington. On Thursday, another project brought him back to where he grew up.
Bazán attended the groundbreaking of the new Granger Historical Society Museum, which he designed. It will stand at 223 Second Ave., next to the Radio KDNA/NCEC Sea Mar Community Center, which he also designed.
“This is a great example of what positive things can happen when people put their hearts and their minds and their hard work together,” said Bazán, a founding partner of Bellevue-based Bazán Architects and a 1973 graduate of Granger High School.
“It’s such a positive statement for the community, and I was really grateful to be asked to come here and design this building.”
Bazán was among more than 40 people at the groundbreaking and reception in the community center. Several people who work in various offices in the building joined the group of historical society members, public officials and citizens celebrating the ceremonial launch of the long-sought project.
The new museum will be around 3,800 square feet. The current space in a former church at 508 Sunnyside Ave. is about 900 square feet, said Jon Klarich, building committee chairman. Members hope to launch construction of the new building, which will stand next to the community center’s back parking lot, the first week of December.
“It’s a nine- to 12-month project; it depends on the weather,” said Bazán, who will oversee the project.
The museum will stand on land owned by Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a community-based organization that provides medical and other services to diverse communities. Sea Mar owns the adjacent community center and will also own the new museum building once it is built; the historical society will donate it to Sea Mar, said Jon Klarich, historical society building committee chairman.
“They’re giving us a long-term lease” of 50 years, with slightly different requirements for two 25-year periods, he said. “There’s hardly any cost for the first 25 years; it’s pretty much us managing the museum, handling the Internet and cleaning. The second 25 years, we add in utilities.”
And in another major contribution to the project, Sea Mar has also committed to cover the difference in construction costs between what the historical society raises and the final total, Klarich said. That has risen significantly; supporters knew an estimated total of $880,000 he mentioned about a year ago was already outdated then.
State Sen. Jim Honeyford secured $785,350 for the project through four grants, Klarich said, and the society has raised a little more than $100,000. “We think it’s going to be about $1.5 million,” he added. The society continues to raise funds.
Honeyford and a Sea Mar official attended the groundbreaking and were praised by several speakers for their strong support of the project.
“Sea Mar ... stepped up at the last minute. Because without them, it would have not happened. It would take several years to get more funds,” Bazán said. “It all worked out.”
When the historical society incorporated in July 2010, a year after the city’s centennial, members hoped to publish a Granger history book and create a Granger history archives room. They’ve accomplished both, said Helen Dodd, society president.
“Our third goal was to someday build a new museum. And guess what? It’s going to happen,” she said. “After four years of serious planning and fundraising, we have just finished our groundbreaking ceremony.”
She thanked Granger residents for donating to the project and Sea Mar for providing the location and funding.
Granger and the surrounding region have a long and rich history. The city adjoins the Yakama Reservation, and Yakama Nation Tribal Council Chairman Gerald Lewis spoke after the groundbreaking.
“I would like to thank the community of Granger. I know that Yakama Nation has many alums down here,” he said. “I look forward to seeing it when it’s put up and walk through the facility. I want to congratulate the committee for all the hard work they have done on behalf of this.”
The museum has 43 pieces of artwork by well-known Yakama artist Larry George, including originals and signed prints. George graduated from Granger High School and worked for many years with Granger students. Historical society members hope to display more of his artwork in the new museum, Klarich said.
Granger is also surrounded by farms that produce asparagus, fruit — including cherries — and hops. Laborers created the Lower Yakima Valley’s vast irrigation network that made its rich agricultural bounty possible, and people came to the area from throughout and far beyond the United States to support their families and themselves by working in the fields.
Migrant farmworkers in and around Granger played a pivotal role in the fight for better pay and living conditions for farmworkers in the Lower Yakima Valley. Seattle photographer Irwin Nash captured multiple scenes at the federal Crewport labor camp near Granger, in Granger and many other locations showing farmworkers, their families, their churches and social activities in the 1960s and ‘70s.
Francisco Martinez, a longtime history teacher who lives in Pasco, graduated from Granger High School in 1971 and remembers Nash and the fight for better pay and working conditions. He joined several fellow graduates and others attending the events Thursday.
Dodd and others with the historical society stressed that the much larger museum will mean it will reflect all the history of the area, and plans are underway for that. Martinez is hopeful.
“I’m just glad they’re doing this,” he said. “I want to make sure that things get included — everybody’s stories.”
On September 28, 1909, Yakima County commissioners approve the incorporation of Granger, located northwest of the confluence of Satus Creek and the Yakima River. The town is named for Walter Granger (1855-1930), who created the Yakima Valley's first irrigation project.Walter GrangerIn 1889, Walter Granger and a group of St. Paul, Minnesota, investors organized the Yakima Land and Canal Company, which proceeded to buy out Yakima Valley land owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad. The federal government had origi...
On September 28, 1909, Yakima County commissioners approve the incorporation of Granger, located northwest of the confluence of Satus Creek and the Yakima River. The town is named for Walter Granger (1855-1930), who created the Yakima Valley's first irrigation project.
Walter Granger
In 1889, Walter Granger and a group of St. Paul, Minnesota, investors organized the Yakima Land and Canal Company, which proceeded to buy out Yakima Valley land owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad. The federal government had originally granted this property to the Northern Pacific in return for building a northern transcontinental railroad, with the stipulation that the land be sold five years after completion, to encourage settlement.
Granger, an irrigation expert from New York, used some of this land to create the Sunnyside Canal, which opened up much of the Yakima Valley to agriculture. Granger and his associates then started scouting the valley for townsites. They founded Zillah in 1892, and Sunnyside in 1893. Granger and his new bride, Maud Thomas, made Zillah their home.
The irrigated valley continued to draw more farmers and settlers, and in 1904 the newly formed Granger Land Company established a new town midway between Zillah and Sunnyside. They named the town Granger, although others wanted to call it Eaton -- after George Eaton (1955-1945), secretary of the land company -- or Seople -- a Yakama Indian of legend who was said to have saved her tribe from Ice Age floods.
Land of Opportunity
The founders of Granger had high hopes, and created a wish list of businesses they hoped to see in their new town. Among them were a beet sugar factory, a 60-room hotel, restaurants, a bakery, a saddler store, a harness repair shop, a furniture store with an undertaking parlor, a feed mill, a natatorium, and more.
To entice would-be landowners to the community, the Granger Land Company undertook an aggressive ad campaign in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane newspapers. Almost weekly, readers learned of the great opportunities available to them in Granger, and who to contact if they wished to own property or open a business.
The campaign worked well, and by 1909 the town had more than 300 residents, enough to incorporate by state law. An election was held on September 20, 1909, and voters approved incorporation. County commissioners made the results official on September 28, 1909. The town's first officers were Mayor C. W. Mentzer; Councilmen A. P. Peterson, E. B. Johnson, George Oldfield, E. N. Meloy, and A. Rodgers; Clerk Fred R. Hawn; and Treasurer A. C. Snowden.
In the next year, Granger's population grew by almost 200 people.
Sources: W. D. Lyman, History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Vol. 1 (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919); The Granger Library Club, Granger: The Town, The Land, The People (Walla Walla, Saxum Publications, 1975); "The Town of Granger is Only a Baby But Has Corralled Three Railroads" (newspaper ad), The Seattle Times, September 26, 1909, p. 28.
Related Topics
Licensing: This essay is licensed under a Creative Commons license that encourages reproduction with attribution. Credit should be given to both HistoryLink.org and to the author, and sources must be included with any reproduction. Click the icon for more info. Please note that this Creative Commons license applies to text only, and not to images. For more information regarding individual photos or images, please contact the source noted in the image credit.
Major Support for HistoryLink.org Provided By: The State of Washington | Patsy Bullitt Collins | Paul G. Allen Family Foundation | Museum Of History & Industry | 4Culture (King County Lodging Tax Revenue) | City of Seattle | City of Bellevue | City of Tacoma | King County | The Peach Foundation | Microsoft Corporation, Other Public and Private Sponsors and Visitors Like You
574-232-8487
