Back to Full List Adjust the Tension Linda Hjelm Wood, Nails, Threads, Suture, Photo Transfer on Silk, Beeswax, Paper, Coal Kate Watts, artist Linda Hjelm is proud of her roots that lie deep in Issaquah and its history. Relatives on her great grandfather's side arrived in Issaquah in the 1880s and kin on her great grandmother's side settled property here in 1903. In addition, in 1892, two of Linda's ancestors (the Adairs) added to the economic health of the town by establishing the Davis Hotel and Adairs' Saloon on Sunset and Rainier Streets. Linda's Issaquah background and the contributions her family made are very important to her, but she stresses that also of major importance to her is the spirit of Issaquah. That spirit is one of looking out for others rather than just yourself. An example took place during WWI when the mines shut down and many were out of work. Mr. Lewis of Lewis Hardware had outstanding bills held by many local residents and was certainly within his rights to press for payment of those bills. Instead he decided to wait for payment until the mines started up again in 1912. If one were to ask Linda what she would like for modern day Issaquah, it would be to continue this spirit of each one of us caring for one another. Thankfully Linda Hjelm and her family and their contributions are strongly woven into the fabric that makes up Issaquah.