9 Towns in Washington With Rich History
Uncover the best small towns in Washington State, where history and quaintness weave an enchanted tapestry. Admitted to the Union in 1889 as the 42nd state of the US, there are decades of stories to unearth in The Evergreen State. Explore nine towns, each in its own way an ardent representative of Washington's many-faceted culture, ranging from the Victorian elegance of Port Townsend to the vineyard vistas of Walla Walla, presenting visitors with a combination of historical landmarks and scenery along with thriving cultural life.
Port Townsend
Located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, Port Townsend is a historic port town that boasts beautifully preserved architecture and maritime tradition. One landmark that stands for Port Townsend's Victorian heritage is the tall and intricately decorated Jefferson County Courthouse. The downtown Port Townsend Historic District is even more evocative of its historical character, with historic Victorian storefronts now housing colorful shops and restaurants reflecting its unhurried 19th-century heyday.
Fort Worden State Park is another historic landmark site, now a cultural center with museums and art areas. The park also features natural scenery, with sand beaches and a view of Puget Sound encompassing the whole area. This is just the spot history buffs and nature lovers will want to visit. Furthermore, the Rothschild House Museum provides a glimpse of Port Townsend's residential life in the late 1800s and how early settlers lived their daily lives.
Walla Walla
Located in southeastern Washington, Walla Walla is a town steeped in history known for its expansive wine industry. Walla Walla was originally a trading post but later became famous in the gold rush days, and now it has become an essential cultural and ecological center. An important historic landmark is the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, which memorializes the 1847 Whitman Massacre and provides a glimpse into the history of early settlers of the region. Not only is this site a valuable history lesson, but it also offers an opportunity for reflection amidst its tranquil environment.
The Fort Walla Walla Museum is another important historical attribute placed in the well-preserved downtown area of the town. The museum explores the town's military, agricultural, and cultural history, giving visitors a complete picture of Walla Walla through the ages. Walla Walla is also blessed by the lovely surrounding Blue Mountains, which provide an attractive natural background to the area's traditional vineyards. The downtown area, with its active wine-tasting rooms, shops, and fine restaurants, is the culinary and commercial core of the town.
Leavenworth
In Washington State's Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is best known for transforming into a Bavarian-themed town. A logging town once in decline, Leavenworth transformed itself in the 1960s into a little Bavarian village to infuse new life into its economy and invite tourists. This sudden transformation has become the dominant element of the town, and its architecture, signs, and festivals all reflect this European theme.
The Bavarian theme continues on Front Street, the town's commercial center, with traditional German-style restaurants, quaint little shops, and bustling beer gardens to enhance the visit. Another historical tourist draw in Leavenworth is the Nutcracker Museum, with its collection of over 600 nutcrackers, old and new, a rare find but a zany touch to the place.
Leavenworth's closeness to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area offers further attractions: scenic beauty and outdoor activities. There is hiking and rafting in summer and skiing in winter. The wilderness is a playground of endless adventure.
Coupeville
Coupeville, located on the Whidbey Island in Washington state, is a historic treasure offering the rich legacy of one of Washington's oldest settlements. The town's old waterfront district, with its 19th-century buildings, clearly shows traces of the past. The Island County Historical Museum is a collection of the town's history, from original Native American culture to European settlement.
The Admiralty Head Lighthouse sits high above the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a commanding viewpoint and reminder of Coupeville’s seafaring past. Besides providing a historical perspective, this landmark is also equipped to let visitors take in the broad expanse of landscape. Moreover, the nearby Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve provides a natural retreat. The reserve boasts scenic trails across the island's picturesque agricultural landscape.
Roslyn
The town of Roslyn, centered around the most scenic area in Washington state, has its origins in mining coal. Since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Roslyn has played a vital role in the state’s mining industry. Today, the Roslyn Museum is a veritable treasure house of this era, with an abundant collection of mining artifacts and photographs that tell the story of how things once were in Roslyn's heyday.
A symbol of its mining days, it has preserved buildings and is now a vibrant town area. Among these, the Brick Saloon (established in 1889) is one of Washington's oldest bars and a piece of local history. Another feature of Roslyn's background is its multi-cultural cemetery. This is a living testimony to the community of miners who came from different places and contributed to the town's development and culture.
The Cascade Mountains rise all around Roslyn, providing incredible vistas and plenty of recreational possibilities. Cle Elum Lake, nearby, is a tranquil outdoor area suitable for leisure and activities.
Snohomish
The town of Snohomish, frequently described as the "Antique Capital of the Northwest," combines old history with a forward-looking present. Its downtown area, with historical buildings, recaptures memories of days when Snohomish was a major trading center on the banks of the Snohomish River. Now alive with cute antique shops (including popular ones such as "Once Upon a Time" and "Ruffles and Rust Square"), boutiques, and cafes, the area has become a living museum as well as a place for small businesses.
The Snohomish Carnegie Library is one of the town's most important landmarks. Its original construction represents the efforts of the early residents and the Carnegie Foundation, which funded libraries throughout the country from 1886 to 1923, to build a new education facility. The Blackman House Museum is another historical treasure, a look at the domestic life of early Snohomish settlers.
The Snohomish River, which flows through the town, blesses the area with beautiful scenery and various recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing. Visitors can stroll its banks and appreciate the soothing harmony of nature and history.
Ellensburg
Set in the beautiful Kittitas Valley of Washington State, radically changed by mining and logging, attractive little Ellensburg is a town of pioneers and cowboys whose annual rodeo has become one of the West's most famous events. The Kittitas County Historical Museum is a lively tribute to the area's past, depicting its history of agriculture and cowboys. On display are ancient farming implements and tools used in what was once the breadbasket of Washington State, as well as cowboy gear and memorabilia that tells visitors about life on the range. This museum is more than a window to the past. It's a vibrant celebration of traditions that are still alive today in Kittitas County.
The city's center is its historic downtown, a small district still featuring residences and buildings from the late 19th century, with shops, galleries, and restaurants now filling up many storefronts. Close by is the Central Washington University, which blends historic and modern architecture and sits at the heart of its young student body, also lends an academic atmosphere to the town.
Steilacoom
Steilacoom, Washington's oldest incorporated town, is not only a historic relic on Puget Sound but also a living record of the evolution and growth of this part of the Pacific Northwest. Its enduring architecture and the history it represents make the town unique. Located in a meticulously preserved 19th-century building, the Steilacoom Historical Museum provides visitors with a tangible glimpse of the town's history of development with its artifacts collection.
The Bair Drug & Hardware Store is an excellent illustration of Steilacoom's historical spirit. Opened in the late 1800s and now a museum and cafe, it is a living reminder of the town's heyday as a center of commerce and its continuing attractiveness. Further enhancing the appeal of this town is its superb natural environment. Sunnyside Beach Park is one of the best places to enjoy the area's natural beauty, with a waterfront that provides stunning views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains.
Chelan
Chelan in north-central Washington is a beautiful place where history and nature unite spectacularly. Situated next to the alluring Lake Chelan, 50.5 miles long, it is known for its deep, clear waters and is a paradise for water sports lovers. The town's origins are closely connected to the tribes' cultural background, particularly that of the Chelan Tribe, the original inhabitants. The nearby region of Central Washington has several sites that still reflect this rich heritage (such as the Columbia Hills State Park, which showcases ancient rock art created by Native American tribes). The Chelan Museum honors the area's history and agricultural past, primarily Chelan's fantastic apple orchards.
Modern downtown Chelan is like a museum of life at the turn of the 20th century. It has impressive historical structures such as the Ruby Theatre (established in 1914), the oldest consistently operating movie theater in Washington. The Woodin Avenue Bridge, constructed in 1927, is another historical relic with lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The lakeside star Campell's Resort has been on location since 1901 and is an ideal tourist destination.
Washington's towns have much to offer history enthusiasts, each providing a deeper understanding of the state's diverse past. From the rich culture of Native American tribes and the architectural elegance of Victorian-era construction to the natural scenery of mountain ranges, these towns with a rich history offer an unforgettable experience.
