Who Brought Telephone Service To Boulevard Park?

Who brought the initial phone service to Boulevard Park? Who brought the sidewalks to Boulevard Park? Government services did not just spring up like spring flowers. So, how did this come about? Judd Coburn! Not only did he become the Keeper of the Elms on Des Moines Memorial Drive, He modernized this area of what is now Burien and Unincorporated King County. He was a busy man!

A transplant from Minnesota, Judd arrived in Blvd Park in 1930 with his wife, Laura, and two infant daughters. Judd was an American Legion member at the Glendale Post and later at Burien Post, 134. He took community service seriously. The biggest community ” claim to fame” at the time was the red brick road known as Des Moines Way from Seattle to Des Moines and the Interurban from Seattle to Three Tree Point. Poking aroun and learning what the community was all about, he became a member of the Associated Improvement Board of South King County. Just imagine along came judge when this area was a sort of pass through area to get from one point to another. But there were families, farms, and schools here. Stating a case for this area, he was able to prevail in many arguments to bring roads, sidewalks, water, sewers, and phone service to modernize living. So when you wash something, go for a walk or a drive, or think about your landline say a silent thank you to Judd.

But he did not stop there! During World War II Judd was a local Civil Defense Worker. He oversaw construction of the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church, which is still there on 128th St, just east of Des Moines Memorial Drive to this day! His wife, Laura, belonged to a women’s group that sought to build a library in Boulevard Park. He helped with the construction of the first permanent structure, which today is a laundromat on South 120th st. Eventually, a larger one was built in its current location and became the first library in the King County Library system, which was formed in 1942.

All this time, Judd looked after the trees on Des Moines Memorial Drive. Planting had begun long ago in 1921 by the Seattle Garden Club along the 11 mile rd. They asked the American Legion to oversee the trees. Of course, the Legion turned to Jud to look after the trees. A Sunday drive along the road to check on the trees became a family event., Trees could not be cut down or trimmed without judge permission. So, when Seattle City Light wanted to cut down all of the Elms north of S 128th, Judd stepped in to mediate on behalf of the community who was very protective of the trees. The result is that his next task was to design a memorial for World War I fallen to be located at the Sunnydale School, where it stands today. Jud became known as the Keeper of the Elms.

For all of his community work, in 1981 the National Organization of the American Legion and Burien Post 134 awarded Judd with a Diamond Jubilee Certificate. He Was honored for “62 years of continuous, faithful, and dedicated service to the ideals of the American Legion.

Judd lived his last few years at Judson Park in Des Moines. He passed away at age 91 in 1985. What a wonderful impactful life he led!

To this day, our community is reaping the benefits of the community service offered freely by Judd Coburn. Community volunteers offer a level of service that our government cannot match. Perhaps you can select one issue and commit to improving our community. We all will be better for it.