  |
Download a copy
of our Arts Culture Heritage in Snohomish County brochure |
|
|
Long before the first white man appeared on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, Native American tribes (the Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Sultan, Pilchuck) inhabited this area and traveled its waters by canoe.
The native peoples lived in family groups in cedar long houses and moved up and down the rivers from ocean to mountains in hand-hewn dugout canoes. They had a highly developed culture based on fishing for salmon and foraging for other foods found naturally in the densely forested land. Superb salmon runs, sea mammals, wildlife, and forests provided for all their material and spiritual needs. Modern anthropologists consider these people who lived on the Pacific coast among the wealthiest tribes in all of America, other than the Aztecs. This great natural wealth also attracted the first Europeans.
In 1792, Captain George Vancouver sailed the tall ship Discovery into this region, to claim the Pacific Northwest on behalf of King George III. Vancouver and his crew charted this region and named many of the bodies of water he explored, including Puget Sound and Port Gardner Bay, opening the way for European exploration and development.
White settlement of the region that became Snohomish County began in 1853, the year Washington Territory separated from Oregon Territory. Snohomish County was carved out of Island County on January 20, 1861, and grew slowly during the territorial years of 1853-1889. During this time period, settlements were founded at Tulalip Bay, Snohomish, Mukilteo, Lowell, Tualco (near Monroe), Stanwood, and Edmonds.
Soon after Washington achieved statehood in 1889, the Great Northern Railway brought a major boom down the Skykomish Valley to the new industrial city of Everett. The years from 1891 to 1893, known as the Rockefeller boom years, saw remarkable progress and prosperity. Henry Hewitt, a Tacoma lumberman and investor, formed the Everett Land Company with backing from the wealthy east coast Rockefeller family. Important commercial centers were created at both ends of Hewitt Avenue and rail connections were established.
However, the Silver Panic of 1893 caused a nationwide depression and put an end to this period of prosperity. It took six more years before recovery and steadier growth based on timber and farming began. During this time, Everett won the battle with the City of Snohomish to become the county seat and the large Bell sawmill, later to become a Weyerhaeuser mill, was built.
After World War II, growth quickened in the southwestern part of the county near Seattle adding Lynnwood, Brier, Mountlake Terrace, and Woodway as incorporated cities. In the late 1960s, construction of the Boeing Company's 747, 767, 777, 787 plant near Everett and the development of high technology industries along Interstate 405 and north towards Lake Stevens and Marysville, brought major population increases in those areas. At the same time, both lumber production and farming began to decline, greatly affecting smaller communities and the older mill towns.
The 1980s saw new industries emerge with a high technology base of aerospace, biotechnology, research and development and computer firms, including Microsoft.
The building of the U.S. Naval Station in Everett is bringing a new vitality and prosperity to the Everett area.
The high quality of life and economic growth in Snohomish County is expected to continue well into the 21st century. |
A Sense of Place
The Culture & Heritage of Snohomish County
We all need a break from our daily routines – to relax, to re-energize, to breathe…to simply be. But underneath our desire for play, delicious cuisine and a cozy place to sleep lies curiosity. Our curiosity chooses our particular destination because we want to get the full flavor of a place, know it as a “local” does. This enriches our travel experience.
From the Cascade Mountains to Puget Sound, visitors are immersed in Snohomish County’s rich cultural heritage. Here are just a few of the many ways visitors can broaden and deepen their experience of the place we call home.
Minding Our “Manors”
- In Heritage Park, several historic buildings that were rescued from demolition stand as silent reminders of the early days of Alderwood Manor, a planned community built in 1917 by the Puget Mill Company. The 1919 Humble House and Barn, the site’s original structures, are named after the family who bought the property in 1934. The 1919 Wickers Store and Post Office now houses a Snohomish County Visitor Information Center. The 1930s cottage and water tower are the only surviving structures from the Demonstration Farm, built to teach settlers how to farm the land. The last Interurban trolley, #55, stands protected under cover in the park.
19921 Poplar Way, Lynnwood. Open daily dawn to dusk. Mary Monroe, Tourism Manager, City of Lynnwood, (425) 744-6473, email or www.alderwood.org
- The Stanwood/Camano Island area is home to nine historic sites that reflect where people lived, played, worked and were laid to rest in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The 1890 D. O. Pearson House, home to the general store owner and first mayor of Stanwood, serves as a museum operated by the Stanwood Area Historical Society. Changing exhibits feature settlers from the eastern U.S. and Europe and their interactions with local Skagit and Stillaguamish tribes. Other locations include Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, Little White Church on the Hill, Camano Pioneer Cemetery, Hevly Cash Store, and Cama Beach Resort.
Stanwood Area History Museum & D.O. Pearson House, 27108 102nd Ave NW,
Stanwood. (360) 629-6110 www.sahs-fncc.org
Trains, Tractors & Trucks – Oh My!
The interactive, kid-friendly Western Heritage Center is committed to preserving the stories of the Snohomish River Valleys and sharing the local history, the interactive displays and guided tours feature the history of logging, mining and construction, transportation, and agriculture in Snohomish County. Seed drills, drag saws, potato diggers, gas pumps, vintage John Deere tractors, and more will showcase the history of and the mechanized growth in agriculture, logging, mining and transportation. A waterwheel powers several computer-controlled displays inside the 56’ x 40’ facility.
Located in Building 611 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe. Contact: Jerry Senner, Executive Director, (425) 232-3493, email, or www.westernheritagecenter.org
Flying Heritage Collection
3407 109th Street SW….877-FHC-3404
The Flying Heritage Collection facility is located at the southeast corner of Paine Field in Everett, Wash.Set in a 51,000 square foot hangar, FHC is a private collection of great rarity, rather than a formal museum. The aircraft are displayed alongside engaging, comprehensive exhibits. It showcases the spectacular warbirds and technologies from 1935-1945.
Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Adults: $12; Seniors/Military: $10; Youths(6-15): $8; Children(5 & under): Free.
Hours: 10am – 5pm; 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
6 days a week, Tuesday – Sunday, the rest of the year.
Closed on Thanksgiving & Christmas.
Through the Looking Glass
Take a stroll through the Arts Council of Snohomish County’s gallery to see how local artists view the world and life. Vibrant watercolors, eclectic collections, stunning hand-blown glass, and engaging student exhibits are a few of the expressive works that adorn the walls and space in the historic Monte Cristo.
Several events bring artists and aficionados together. The H’Arts Benefit Art Auction in February is the county’s largest art auction. The Artists’ Garage Sale in June offers bargain-priced seconds and surplus art. Fresh Paint in August is a festival of artists creating art at the Everett Marina. Girls’ Night Out in November is a wearable art fair.
Throughout the year, the Gallery Store sells local art and unusual gifts including framed work, glass art, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, cards, and books. The Arts Council offers community art classes, student art contests, teacher workshops, and resources for artists.
1507 Wall Street, Everett. Contact: Maren Oates, Capital Campaign Assistant, (425) 257-7378, email or www.artscouncilofsnoco.org
For more information on these and other cultural heritage tourism offerings, contact Linda Beecher at (425) 348-5802, x16 or email.
For ideas on cultural events in Snohomish County, please search our events calendar by clicking here Events or explore one of our museums Museums.
|
