|
The next town reached is Marysville, whence the highway skirts the Tulalip Indian reservation, crosses the Stillaguamish river in the Sylvan Flats and enters Stanwood where a scenic road branches off to Camano Island. At Mount Vernon and Burlington, where it intersects the Skagit county road leading from Anacortes eastward to the mountains, one may appreciate the famous Skagit Valley, the "Holland of the Northwest," where 173 bushels of oats to the acre have been yielded on land protected from the sea and river by immense dykes.
Within ten miles of Bellingham the Water Front Road is reached, said to be the most picturesque on the entire route: for the Sound is plainly seen from the shaded highway which clings to the side of Chuckanut Mountain, while the electric interurban and the Great Northern railway traverse the waterfront below. Bellingham, a city of 30,000, has innumerable attractions to hold the tourist, who still has twenty miles' journey if he would follow the Pacific Highway to the Washington limit at Blaine, the most northwesterly municipality in the United States. Near by is the Whatcom County Government Farm, the only one in the northwest; where bulb growing rivals the same industry in Holland.
SUNSET HIGHWAY.
The Sunset Highway is the only route at present permitting through automobile traffic across the Cascade mountains and connecting the western with the eastern counties. Throughout its full four hundred miles from Seattle to Spokane it introduces the tourist to scenes which for diversity and pleasant surprises, varying from rugged mountains and roaring waterfalls to peaceful irrigated valleys or broad wheat plains, can nowhere be duplicated. With the exception of a few miles the grades are never more than five per cent.
Branching off from the Pacific Highway at Renton, it rises northeastward to the headwaters of the Snoqualmie River. Just below the town of Snoqualmie appear the wonderful falls of the same name, the "Niagara of the West." This immense stream of water falling 268 feet, is now harnessed to supply power and light to the cities and towns of Puget Sound. Following the banks of this river the highway penetrates entrancing forests and exposes many a remarkable panorama. Both road and river are at times clearly visible from the Chicago-Milwaukee trains puffing towards the summit.
Descending, the road leads southeast along the headwaters of the Yakima, and skirts the eastern banks of beautiful Lake Keechelus, where the government is building a huge dam for storing water to irrigate the Kittitas and Yakima valleys. Passing the southern extremity of Lake Kachees, another deep mountain lake, it soon passes Cle Elum, a coal shipping center, enters the broad Kittitas valley and reaches the cultured city of Ellensburg, mistress of the section and home of one of the state normals.
The route is now northeastward over Table Mountain by a 5,200-foot pass, permitting an excellent view of Mounts Rainier and Hood. The banks of the Columbia are followed to Wenatchee, the metropolis of north central Washington and the famous red apple district. Crossing the Columbia it proceeds along its east bank to Orondo, whence, plunging through a winding canyon, it rises rapidly to the great wheat plateau of the Big Bend, which bursts suddenly upon the view. Leaving Waterville, the county seat of Douglas county, it turns abruptly eastward to continue in an almost unbroken line through expansive wheat fields towards Spokane, the metropolitan city of the Inland Empire, over a hundred miles away.
At Coulee City, forty miles from Waterville, it would be worth while to linger long enough to explore the Grand Coulee, said to be the old bed of the Columbia. Full of strange features, it has attracted attention from geographers of international reputation. Wilbur, Davenport, the county seat of Lincoln county, and Reardan, besides many smaller settlements, almost lost in the midst of the great wheat fields, appear before the thin woods shading the approach into Spokane are reached.
INLAND EMPIRE HIGHWAY.
At Ellensburg the Sunset Highway connects with the Inland Empire Road, a southern route to Spokane via Walla Walla. Following the Wenas Valley to North Yakima, it continues southeast through the Union Gap and along the Sunnyside Canal, the largest irrigation ditch in the state, where a splendid view of the valley, with Mount Hood in the distance appears. From Prosser, county seat of Benton county and entrance to the Horse Heaven country, the road drops toward the Columbia river and soon reaches Kennewick, the home of early strawberries, and Pasco, county seat of Franklin county.
From here the Central Washington Highway threads the extensive wheat fields toward the northeast, passing through Connell, Lind, Ritzville, and Sprague, all important wheat shipping centers; and Cheney, the site of another state normal, fifteen miles southwest from the city of Spokane.
The Inland Empire Highway leads on to the beautiful city of Walla Walla; but at Dayton, the quaint county seat of Columbia county, it divides, uniting again near Rosalia, twenty-five miles south of Spokane. The shorter route trends northeast, crosses the Snake at Pataha and passes through Colfax, county seat of Whitman county, in the rich Palouse Valley. The other branch penetrates extensive barley and wheat fields, enters Pomeroy, county seat of Garfield county, and Clarkston, on the eastern boundary line, named for the great explorer. Bending northward it transects irrigated lands and wheat fields; enters Pullman, home of the State College, Palouse, Garfield and Oakesdale; joins the other branch at the county boundary line and soon reaches the southern outskirts of Spokane.
From Spokane this road presses northward through the Colville Valley to the Columbia, and thence to the international boundary line, having previously passed at Deer Park the Arcadia orchard, largest commercial apple orchard in the world; Loon Lake, a summer resort; Chewelah, a mining town surrounded by a dairying country; and Colville, county seat of Stevens county and largest city in this section. A pleasant contrast is this northern extension, regaining the mountains and evergreen forests, the swiftly flowing rivers with glorious waterfalls, and the chains of lakes adorning irrigated vales and green meadows.
OLYMPIC, NATIONAL PARK AND OTHER HIGHWAYS.
The Olympic Highway, when the few miles from Bogachiel to Lake Quiniault, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, are completed, will form a complete loop around the Olympic Peninsula, from which it derives its name. Winding along at the foot of the mountains, it connects the leading cities of the district and exposes some of the most scenic features of the Sound country, including Hood Canal, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Grays Harbor, and occasionally the Pacific Ocean. The principal cities touched at are Shelton, Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Elma and Olympia.
The National Park Highway extends from Tacoma to Rainier National Park, whence it bears southward to the headwaters of the Cowlitz, crosses to the Chehalis Valley and, after connecting with Chehalis and Centralia, leads southwest, over the low coast range to Raymond and South Bend on Willapa Bay, and from there continues to the mouth of the Columbia.
Other scenic routes are planned to cross the Cascade mountains. Two are nearly completed, viz., the McClellan Pass Highway, paralleling the Sunset as far as North Yakima, and one along the north bank of the Columbia. A third will sometime cross and connect the Skagit Valley with the Methow.
This book cannot expect to win the largest measure of approval from the followers of Nimrod unless a few paragraphs are devoted to the opportunities for the chase and the plentifulness of game fish and birds. Of course, the real sportsman would rather discover the prey for himself. To tell minutely where every prize is to be found would be like disclosing the end of an interesting story before the beginning had been read. But even if it were well to do so, every page in this publication would be needed just to mention each stream and lake containing fish, every coppice concealing fowl, and every wood protecting the quarry.
That the common species of game are plentiful is superfluous to say. On holidays and at week ends, during the open season, it is a familiar sight to witness the khaki-suited brave looking sportsmen, with guns or fish baskets and rods, clambering onto the trains or hiking to the nearest point where the welcome woods and the realm of habitation meet. It is equally common to behold this same army of hunters trailing along at the close of the holiday, burdened with fish of many species, vari-colored fowl, or the hides of various game animals.
Game birds are very prolific. Among the most prominent are the Chinese pheasant, bob white and California quail, Hungarian partridge, and native prairie chickens; all are found along the streams or in the clearings and fields of nearly every part of the state. Blue grouse are quite plentiful in western Washington and in the wooded sections of eastern Washington. Ruffled grouse are plentiful in the Okanogan Highlands and in several of the western counties. All species of ducks are to be found on Puget Sound and along the rivers and lakes tributary thereto, also along many streams and lakes of the Inland Empire; while geese infest the Columbia and Snake river regions in eastern Washington.
Perhaps no state in the Union has as many varieties of real fighting trout as Washington; including especially the mountain, rainbow, cut throat, beardsley, crawford, lake, steel head, and eastern brook, in all lakes and mountain streams. Black bass and perch are very plentiful in the land-locked lakes; and certain sections produce also many varieties of white fish, sun fish, croppies and cat fish. The waters of Puget Sound, the harbors and the Columbia River contain many species of salmon.
The commonest and most hunted large game is the deer, found chiefly in the hills and mountains, although in some localities it invades the domains of domestic animals. The leading varieties noted are the mule and black tail, there being also a few white tail. In the Olympic region are large herds of elk and a few in the southwest and northeastern counties. These, however, are temporarily protected by law. Mountain goat and sheep are found in the rocky peaks of the Cascades; while the black and brown bear are found in the wooded hills and mountains; also occasionally cougars, wild cats, and wolves. These latter, however, keep themselves far removed from the main traveled roads; only by much care are they located, so that the timid need have no fear of wandering in the woods alone.
In order to insure plenty of game at the right season of the year, five trout hatcheries are supported by the state and a number by separate counties. The state hatcheries alone planted 4,399,050 trout in 1913. The common birds are propagated and set free at both public and private expense.
With nature's already liberal supply, and the state and counties blending their united efforts to supplement and conserve, the true sportsman will never regret casting his lot with the state of Washington, where his outdoor propensities may be encouraged to the fullest degree.
The cities of Washington are all beautiful in their natural setting, and reflect the originality, the energy and love for artistic design of the people who dwell within them. In western Washington they are usually protected by verdure covered hills, and built to overlook the Sound, the harbors, or the rivers. The smaller towns nestle close to pretty streams which supply power and water. Snow capped mountains are always visible.
The east side cities are usually near the larger streams and adorned with trees, both native and cultivated. Forests are lacking in the Columbia River Plain, and the brown hills are continually in sight. In the northern counties, however, the native trees and mountains again become more prominent.
All cities are well provided with spacious and comfortable hotels. Theaters, business blocks, school houses, churches, and other public buildings are of modern structure; the streets are generally paved; practically all have electric lights and pure running water. The homes are planned both for beauty and comfort, and are often surrounded by green lawns or gardens where hundreds of species of beautiful flowers reach perfection.
The following pages are devoted to brief descriptions of the larger centers, and the more important trips from each. They are arranged to represent a tour about the state and in the order in which one might visit all, or certain ones only, with the least expenditure of time. The cities given have commercial organizations prepared to give further information regarding their respective localities.
SPOKANE: Metropolis of the Inland Empire, and second largest city in the state. Population about 136,000. Its growth was over 500 per cent in twenty years. Situated on both sides of the Spokane River with wonderful waterfalls in heart of city. One of the leading railroad centers in the west, it has five transcontinental lines operating on their own tracks and two others over joint tracks. Its hotels, theaters, public buildings, and homes, are among the most costly in the northwest. Its fifty-two parks, comprising 1,933 acres valued at more than $2,000,000, give the largest per capita park area of any city in the United States. Splendid boulevards within the city connect with broad highways leading to distant points in the Inland Empire. There is a boating course two miles long above the city, a municipal bathing pool a mile from the business center, and a zoo at Manito Park. One may see large manufacturing establishments, irrigation, wheat fields, and many big development projects within a limited area. It is the home of the North Pacific Fruit Distributors, which markets 60 per cent of the apples of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
A few of the more important trips should include the following:
Mt. Spokane, 20 miles N. E., highest peak in Eastern Washington.
Indian Canyon, 2 miles west (Indian wigwams still there).
Medical Lake, 16 miles S. W., famous for medicinal qualities of water; one of state's hospitals here. Return by way of Cheney, home of one of state normal schools.
Spokane Valley, fruit section along Apple Way to Hayden Lake.
Reardan, by Sunset Highway, 21 miles, built at cost of $194,000.
Jas. P. Grave's model farm; Country Club on Waikiki Road.
Arcadia Apple Orchard at Deer Park, largest in the world.
Colville Valley, Chewelah and Colville, a rich agricultural valley, good roads, mountains in sight, many lakes.
Pend Oreille Valley, Newport, Ione, and Metaline Falls; see Box and Grandview Canyons; river falls 400 feet in 12 miles.
Steptoe Butte for expansive view of Palouse country.
Through the Palouse to Colfax, Moscow, and State College at Pullman, one of the most remarkable rides—train, auto, or electric.
Kellogg, Idaho, to see largest lead and silver mine in the world.
Northern Idaho, through to Fourth of July Canyon.
Long Lake, 30 miles northwest, $8,000,000 dam.
See also "Spokane Country" under the "Inland Empire."
WALLA WALLA: (Many Waters.) The "Garden City," at one time said to "have more bicycles, more pianos, more flowers, and more pretty girls than any other city in the Northwest." Population 23,275. One of the richest farm regions in the world is adjacent. Next to Vancouver, oldest city in the state, and home of first white woman in the Northwest. Picturesque hills, with gentle slopes, usually covered with waving grain, surround it; while many a little stream, protected by cottonwoods and birches, winds towards the larger rivers. The N. P. and O. W. R. & N. railways, and Inland Empire Highway pass through. Trees line the well paved streets and produce a particularly artistic effect. Here is located Whitman College, on the site where Stevens made his famous treaty with the Indians; the State Penitentiary; the Blalock Fruit Company's 1,600-acre fruit farm; old Fort Walla Walla, and the oldest bank in state.
Trips should include:
The Blue Mountains and Wenaha Forest Reserve for wild and rugged canyons and summer resorts.
Toll Gate Pass, 15 miles, a resort, and the only pass to the Wallowa country in Oregon; Wallowa Lake.
Bingham Hot Springs, 40 miles; Clinker Hot Springs.
The famous Whitman monument at Waiilatpui, about 6 miles west.
The Columbia and Snake rivers; Palouse Falls; the Little and Big Meadows.
Vast wheat, barley and rye farms, some of which contain 4,000 acres and more; also large stock ranches.
The Touchet Valley, where diversified farming is successful.
Waitsburg, Dayton, Pomeroy, Clarkston and Asotin, via Inland Empire Highway.
Pasco and Kennewick at mouth of Snake.
NORTH YAKIMA: Metropolis of the Yakima Valley, where the largest body of irrigated land in the state lies. Population about 19,000. All points in the lower Yakima and in South Central Washington are easily reached. Business and public buildings are of artistic design. City is symmetrically laid out with very wide streets, well shaded. It grew from a village to the metropolis in a few years, keeping pace with the rapid development evident all up and down the valley. A blossom festival is held annually in the springtime, and the State Fair in September. A sight-seeing electric car will take one forty miles through alfalfa fields and orchards where the results of irrigation are displayed. Good automobile roads extend in every direction.
Trips should include:
A climb to West Selah Heights for a comprehensive view of valley.
Up the Atanum, past Old Mission, through the narrows to Soda Springs.
Moxee Valley to see the flowing wells: on the return Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams are plainly seen.
One through Union Gap either by O.-W., gasoline motor, automobile, or the N. P. Ry. The towns of Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, Mabton, Granger, Zillah and Fort Simcoe, of historic interest, will be seen; also largest area of sage brush land in the state.
Bumping Lake; Lakes Kachees and Keechelus in the Cascades—summer resorts and storage reservoirs.
Horseshoe Bend, past perpendicular cliffs of Basalt, following the American and Bumping rivers to the summit of the Cascades.
Up the Naches Valley on the State Road, past "Painted Rocks."
Into the Tieton basin by pack trains; the mountain and glacial scenery here rivals the Canadian Rockies.
Headwaters of the Cowiche and Wenas—good roads and scenery.
Ellensburg via valley of the Wenas—beautiful scenery.
ELLENSBURG: Metropolis of Kittitas Valley, of which 60,000 acres are irrigated, while the High Line, proposed, will water 84,000 acres more. A level country checkered with orchards, oat fields and dairy farms gradually rises to the foot hills of the Cascades, where grand mountain scenery is revealed. Estimated population about 6,000. One of the three State Normals is here. Splendid highways.
Suggested trips:
Cle Elum, 30 miles through the forest, with a good view of Mt. Stewart (9,470 feet).
North Yakima via Valley of the Wenas.
Manastash Canyon with its orchards and farms; perpendicular cliffs on either side.
Lakes Keechelus, 50 miles, Kachess, 45 miles, and Cle Elum, 40 miles. At these three beautiful lake resorts, in the heart of the Cascades, the Government is building, at mammoth expense, a system of storage dams for watering the Yakima Valley.
Wenatchee by Peshastin Canyon, or over Table Mountain, by a 5,200-foot pass from which Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, and other peaks are visible.
WENATCHEE: The metropolis of North Central Washington, and gateway to the Wenatchee, Columbia, Entiat, Okanogan, Methow and Lake Chelan regions. Situated at the confluence of Columbia and Wenatchee rivers, with the foot hills of the Cascades a few miles away. One continuous orchard is seen up and down both valleys. Auto roads lead in all directions to innumerable points of interest, and the navigable Columbia provides transportation for many miles. A labyrinth of lakes and beautiful farms are within easy reach. The mountain scenery is impressive. For a commanding view one should climb Saddle Rock. Mounts Rainier, Hood and Baker, also the smoke of Walla Walla are visible from some points. Population 5,000.
Suggested trips:
Lake Chelan, Stehekin river, Chelan Falls and Rainbow Falls by Red Apple route and auto stage and boat; Lyman Glacier, 20 miles from Lake Chelan—a star trip.
Glaciers at head of Entiat river, 38 miles. Horseshoe Basin.
Myrtle Lake; Dumpke Lake; Emerald Park, a beautiful natural park, between Lake Chelan and Entiat Valley, reached by Government trail; good hotels.
Waterville by stage along the Columbia, orchards, wheat fields.
Okanogan Valley to Oroville by auto stage or train, boat part way if preferred. A week or more could be spent to advantage. Historical sights are numerous. Near Omak is St. Mary's Indian Mission. Near Brewster is site of oldest settlement in state. Big irrigation projects are seen. Near Oroville are Osoyoos, Wanacut and Epsom Salts Lakes, and the Similkameen river. Okanogan, county seat, Riverside and Tonasket, are passed.
Methow Valley, via Pateros, to Twisp and Winthrop; irrigation, captivating scenery, splendid roads.
Colville Indian Reservation in Okanogan and Ferry counties.
Moses and Grand Coulees; Moses Lake and Soap Lake.
Up the Wenatchee Valley by auto to Leavenworth, from which Tumwater Canyon, the G. N. power plant, and the government fish hatcheries are easily reached; also Icicle River by horseback over government trail; Chiwawa River, a fishing stream, (auto or horse) and Lake Wenatchee, a favorite mountain resort 23 miles northwest.
SNOHOMISH: "Garden City," second in importance and oldest in Snohomish county. Located in the midst of the rich dairy country just east of Everett, with which city it is connected by interurban and river boats, as well as by steam trains. See "Everett" for trips.
EVERETT: "City of Smokestacks." Population about 32,000. Located on a sightly peninsula formed by Puget Sound and the Snohomish River. Views on every side are superb. The Cascades and Olympics are clearly visible, especially Mounts Baker, Rainier and many lesser peaks, including Pilchuck, always conspicuous, near by. Parks, boulevards and playgrounds, and beautiful homes give artistic completeness. The only arsenic plant in the United States is here. It is an important manufacturing city, especially in lumber, shingles, machinery and paper. Beginning at the city limits a rich dairy country extends to the Cascades. A yearly festival called the "Kla How Ya" is held in July. The G. N., N. P., C, M. & St. P. railways and three interurbans center here, while automobile roads, including the Pacific Highway, lead to the mountains and to lake resorts.
Suggested trips:
Index, a mountain resort in the Cascades, from which may be reached Sunset, Canyon, Eagle, and Bridal Veil Falls; Lake Serene, Lake Isabel and many scenic peaks easily climbed.
Gold Bar (on road to Index), to see Wallace and Olney Falls.
Sultan for Sultan Basin and Canyon. Fishing, hunting, camping.
Granite Falls, the Canyon of the Stillaguamish, and Mt. Pilchuck.
Monte Cristo, Snoqualmie Falls, Darrington, Scenic Hot Springs.
Whidbey and Camano Islands with their many lakes and resorts; Coupeville, Oak Harbor and other towns—some excellent roads.
Silver Lake, Lake Stevens, and Snohomish and Tulalip Indian Reservation.
Startup Pear Orchards, largest west of Cascades.
Utsaladdy, via Sylvan and Stanwood passes of lower Stillaguamish where lie rich dyked lands.
Hazel, 30 miles; Stockbridge dairy farm; oat fields.
Seattle 1 1/2 hours to south and Bellingham 2 1/2 hours to the north, by Pacific Highway.
Snohomish by river boats, auto or rail. Monroe with its large condensery; state reformatory here.
Skagit Valley, Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro Woolley and La Conner.
SKAGIT VALLEY CITIES: Mount Vernon, county seat, Burlington, Sedro Woolley and La Conner are important centers in the Skagit Valley, famous both for its beauty and because it has some of the richest farm land in the world, extending for miles and level as a table. Dykes are built to protect the country from being overflowed. Oat yields have been known as high as 175 bushels to the acre; while dairying is nowhere in the state more important, two condenseries being supported in Mount Vernon. Two main railroad lines with branches, besides an interurban, serve the section. The Pacific Highway and Skagit County Highway cross at Burlington. Auto trips are made direct to Bellingham, Anacortes, Everett and east into the mountains, visible from almost every point. Many beautiful lakes in region.
ANACORTES: A seaport town on Fidalgo Island at western extremity of Skagit county. Population about 6,000. G. N. railway and Sound steamers supply transportation. The Skagit County Highway starts here. Salmon canneries, lumber and shingle manufacturing and ship building may be seen to advantage.
Suggested trips:
South to Deception Pass by auto; cross by ferry and continue to Coupeville and Fort Casey. Splendid roads; rhododendrons.
East to Skagit Valley points. Mountains and water always in sight.
Cypress, Guemes and San Juan islands, and all Sound points.
BELLINGHAM: Population about 30,000. Metropolis of Northwestern Washington and fifth in size in state. In vicinity are the largest salmon cannery in world and one of largest lumber and saw mills on coast. The Olympics, Selkirks and Cascades crowned by Mount Maker are visible from its streets. Sehome Hill, where one of the state normal schools is located, permits a view of Bellingham Bay where the ships of the world anchor. In front of city lie San Juan Islands; fishing craft may be seen. 150 acres of parking area have been provided. Pretty roads lead through big timber in various directions. At its door stands Mount Baker, one of main tourist objectives of the northwest, and one of the most interesting mountains on the continent. The annual Marathon races, participated in by the athletes of the world, are made to its summit and back to Bellingham.
Suggested tours:
Mt. Baker, for a two days' trip, or unlimited time.
Olga, East Sound and other points on the San Juan islands; boat leaves every morning. See page 33.
Lummi, Cypress, Guemes and other islands, also Deception Pass.
U. S. Experiment Farm, via Pacific Highway; Government bulb farm, in full bloom during April and May; Country Club.
Lake Whatcom, a suburban resort, 20 minutes' ride; Nooksack Falls; Lake Samish by Samish road through big timber.
Blaine, most northwesterly city in the United States. Birch Bay and Lincoln Park, visiting also Custer, Lynden and Ferndale.
Chuckanut Hill—view of Sound and surrounding country.
Out in a launch to see a fish trap raised—a rare sight.
Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Victoria, Vancouver and the ocean—splendid water trips.
The famous Skagit Valley by trolley or auto.
Anacortes on Fidalgo Island by water, auto or train.
PORT ANGELES: Northern gateway to Olympic Peninsula and nearer the ocean than any other city in the Puget Sound country. Harbor is one of the best. Railroads are just building in. Extensive improvements are taking place. It has one of the largest saw and shingle mills in the world. No prettier scenery anywhere.
Suggested trips:
Lake Sutherland, Lake Crescent, and Government Hot Springs.
Sol Duc Hot Springs, the "Karlsbad of America," 45 miles southwest, in the heart of the Olympics. Hotel cost half a million.
Up the Elwha river into the mountains and on to Mt. Olympus.
Hydro-Electric Power Plant, six miles east, built at cost of $2,000,000.00 to furnish light and power for entire Olympic Peninsula.
Sequim and Dungeness, by Olympic Highway, to see largest irrigation tracts in Western Washington. Mountains and Sound are continually in view. Trip may be continued to Port Townsend or along the Olympic Highway to Olympia and Grays Harbor.
PORT TOWNSEND: "Key city" to Puget Sound. Situated on Quimper Peninsula with Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Bay, and Straits of Juan de Fuca on three sides. From Mountain View Park a broad outlook is obtained, which includes, besides the waters mentioned, the Olympic and the Cascade Mountains and hundreds of minor details. Other beautiful parks are Chetzemoka and Lucinda Hastings. Less rain falls than elsewhere in Western Washington. Pretty driveways decorated with rhododendrons, unusual boating possibilities and easy approach to the Olympics, make the region ideal for summer outings. Adjoining the city is Fort Worden, headquarters for the Puget Sound system of defenses, where the 6th Artillery Band, one of the best in the service, renders daily programs. Several of the fastest passenger steamers on the Sound stop daily.
Suggested trips:
Fort Worden by auto and Fort Flagler by water.
Fort Casey, Coupeville, one of the oldest towns in state, and other points on Whidbey Island.
Deception Pass by water, very pretty scenery.
Hood Canal and Discovery Bay, by water or auto.
South through the Chimacum Valley past Quilcene, around Mt. Walker to Brinnon and Duckabush on Hood Canal, returning via Discovery Bay and Saints Rest: from Quilcene the Olympic Highway leads clear through to Olympia.
SEATTLE: Metropolis of the Northwest, with an estimated population of 325,000. It is a city of hills, occupying the sightly eminences, valleys and plateaus lying between Lake Washington and Puget Sound, but sloping gradually to the water's edge in either direction. Its entire area is 94.47 square miles, which includes two large fresh water lakes, Lake Union and Green Lake, and nearly encompasses the Harbor known as Elliott Bay. It is gridironed with 237 miles of street car lines while an elaborate boulevard system of more than thirty miles connects its thirty-eight parks, which have a total area of 1,428 acres. There are also a number of children's playgrounds. From nearly all points there is visible either the Sound with the snow capped Olympics or Lake Washington and the Cascades.
Seattle is a city marvelous both for its enterprise and for its beauty. Hills have given way to business blocks and thorofares, and at the same time have increased the area of the city by supplying material for filling in the tide flats, now occupied by the most valuable factory sites. The forty-two story Smith Building is the highest in the world outside of New York. At Salmon Bay the Government is constructing its second largest locks in a canal to connect the Sound with Lake Washington. Six transcontinental lines have their terminals in this city which is also the gateway to Alaska and the home port of the Great Circle Route.
Within the city one should visit:
Lake Washington Canal Locks, Fort Lawton, West Point Lighthouse, Loyal Height.
University of Washington and A.-Y.-P. E. grounds, overlooking Lake Washington.
Lookout Tower at Volunteer Park.
Lookout on forty-two story Smith Building.
West Seattle and Alki Point—waterfront camping sites inside city limits.
Its many beautiful parks and matchless boulevard system.
Outside trips should include:
Mount Rainier, via Tacoma, 2, 3 or 4 days—auto or train.
Sol Duc, the "Karlsbad of America," and Lake Crescent, via Port Angeles, 2 days—steamer and auto.
Snoqualmie Falls (268 feet), 1 day by Snoqualmie Pass Road.
Cedar Falls, Lake and River, 1 day. Mount Si, near North Bend.
Lake Keechelus, in the Cascade Mountains, 1 day.
Hood Canal, 1 day; San Juan Islands, 3 days. See pages 29 and 33.
Whidbey Island—Coupeville, Oak Harbor and Still Park, 1 or 2 days.
Country Club, Richmond Beach and Edmonds—paved road.
Bremerton, to see largest dry dock in the United States, half day. Several good auto trips may be taken from here.
White River Valley, to the south, passing Kent and Auburn. A paved road extends all the way to Tacoma and beyond.
Vashon Island, a large agricultural island and resort region between Seattle and Tacoma.
Mt. Baker, via Bellingham, 3 days. Stop at Everett on way.
Index, Gold Bar and Sultan for beautiful mountain scenery, fishing and hunting; 1 or 2 days.
Tacoma, Olympia, Shelton and Lake Cushman in the Olympics.
Renton, a busy city just to the south of Lake Washington; go by the Duwamish river route and return by Rainier Valley.
Black Diamond and New Castle coal mines.
See description of other Puget Sound cities, all reached quickly.
PUYALLUP: A famous berry center in the rich Puyallup Valley. Over a quarter million dollars worth of berries are shipped annually. All Western Washington railroads serve it, while electric interurbans and auto cars over the Pacific Highway provide several trips per hour to Tacoma. The Western Washington Experiment Station is here and the Western Washington Fair is held yearly. It is the transfer point for Orting, the site of the State Soldiers' Home, and Fairfax, northern entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. For trips, see "Tacoma."
TACOMA: Population 105,000. Third city in size and importance in the state. Picturesquely located on Commencement Bay, one of the great harbors of Puget Sound. The Olympics complete the view toward the west while the Cascades on the east are overshadowed by Mt. Rainier (or Mt. Tacoma), which seems to rise from within city limits. A complete system of parks, play grounds and boulevards add to the natural beauty. The residence portion of the city overlooks an extensive manufacturing section which claims the largest meat packing establishment in the west, the largest grain warehouse in the world, and the largest smelter west of Butte City, with one of the tallest cement smokestacks in the world. Tacoma is also the largest flour milling center west of Minneapolis and the fifth city in exports and imports on the coast. Miles of unsurpassed highway lead south through a vast natural park consisting of broad prairies dotted with lakes and covered with groves of oak trees; or southeast into the famous Puyallup Valley fruit and berry district. Its improved parks comprise 1,120 acres, 640 of which constitute Point Defiance park at northern extremity of peninsula, and 30 acres, Wright Park in center of city, having 3,000 trees and shrubs in 350 different varieties.
Other remarkable features are a natural amphitheater or stadium, seating 38,000 people; the highest lift bridge in the world and the only one on a grade; the Northern Pacific shops and a Union passenger depot, model of its kind; and a speedway of 2 1/10 miles where the motor races of the northwest are run. A rose carnival is held annually.
Suggested trips outside of city:
Mt. Rainier-Tacoma in Rainier National Park—see page 49.
Puyallup and Sumner to see large berry and dairy farms.
American Lake, camping headquarters for the National Guard.
Lake Spanaway, Lake Steilacoom and Country Club, summer resorts on southern outskirts of city. Some of the best natural roads in the world.
Olympia, Grays Harbor, Shelton, Hood Canal, Lake Cushman and the Olympic Mountains—excellent roads.
Electron, Le Grande and Dieringer—immense water power plants.
Eatonville, Ohop Lake, Little Marshall Falls, Wild Cat Falls.
Kapowsin Lake, Twin Lake Farm—dozens of lakes in vicinity.
Parkland, Fawcett Lake, Melville Springs, Clover Creek.
Vashon Island Points; Bay Island points on Fox, McNeils, Anderson and other islands.
See also descriptions of other Puget Sound cities.
OLYMPIA: "The Pearl of Puget Sound," the "Salem of the Northwest," and seat of state government. Three railroads and four state highways converge here. The waters of Puget Sound reflect the low verdure covered hills protecting the city and extending out along the shores. The mountains are seen on every side. At the edge of city, on the north, is Priest Point Park, of 160 acres. The end of the Oregon trail is marked by a monument in Capitol Park in the heart of the city. Tumwater, a mile away, is the site of the first settlement on Puget Sound. In Olympia the first store was opened for business in the state. The Old New England Inn, formerly the scene of all territorial functions, is marked forever by a brass plate embedded in the sidewalk, and the homes of the first Territorial Governor, Isaac I. Stevens, and General R. H. Milroy are still to be seen.
Trips should include:
Tumwater, Nisqually River, Tumwater Falls—trolley cars, paved road.
Clear Lake, 30 miles; Summit Lake, 13 miles; Black Lake, 5 miles; Long and Patterson Lakes, 5 miles; Talcotts Lake, 8 miles; Bloom's and Hewitt's Lakes, 2 miles.
Tenino Stone Quarry and oil prospects; Bordeaux Logging Camps.
Hartstine, Quaxin, Stretch and many other small islands.
Shelton, Union City, Skokomish River Valley and Lake Cushman, 45 miles distant; Olympic Mountains and Canal always in sight.
Grays Harbor and the beach resorts; also all upper Sound points.
ABERDEEN AND HOQUIAM: Two cities on Grays Harbor, connected by electric interurban. The gateway to the Olympics by the southern route. Combined population about 29,000 (over 18,000 in Aberdeen), an increase of nearly 400 per cent in 14 years, due chiefly to lumbering and fishing industries, but farming and dairying are gaining. Near by are some of the largest trees in the state. Splendid highways, including the Olympic, lead in various directions, while the broad, firm ocean beaches a short distance away offer miles of excellent motor race tracks. Three transcontinental trains serve the district.
Suggested trips:
Cosmopolis, a pretty city of 1,200 people, just across the Chehalis River. A trolley line connects it with Aberdeen.
Cohasset, Westport, Pacific, Sunset and Moclips beaches, by auto, train or boat—ideal summer resorts.
Point Grenville and Cape Elizabeth, bold headlands of the Olympics on either side of the Quiniault River; near by are sporting grounds of the sea lions.
Montesano, county seat, at junction of Wynooche with the Chehalis River (boat, train or auto). Land near by produces 125 bushels of oats or 80 tons of rutabagas to the acre.
Around the harbor visiting Whaling station, Government jetty and light house; see crab fisheries; enjoy ocean swell.
Humptulips Valley and Lake Quiniault in the Indian Reservation; returning by canoe down Quiniault River to Tahola, near the oil prospects; or continue into the Olympics as far as desired.
Read also "Harbor Country" chapter.
SOUTH BEND AND RAYMOND: Two progressive cities in southwestern Washington on Willapa Bay, one of the best harbors on Coast. Lumbering, farming, shell and salmon fisheries, and cranberry culture are sustaining industries. Read also "The Harbor Country."
CENTRALIA AND CHEHALIS: Important railroad centers four miles apart, connected by trolley and half way between Tacoma and Portland. Combined population about 15,500 (10,000 in Centralia). A rich dairy and farm country surrounds them, formed by the Chehalis, the Newaukum and Skookumchuck rivers. About 44 trains leave Centralia daily. Coal mines, farms and lumber are important. Between cities are Southwest Washington Fair Grounds. At Chehalis, county seat, is a large condensery. The Pacific Highway and the Rainier National Park Highway cross near by.
Suggested trips:
The oldest Temple of Justice in the state—built in 1851.
Old Block House at Fort Borst, junction of Skookumchuck and Chehalis Rivers, Territorial Inn where Gen. Grant stopped.
Boy's training school just south of Chehalis. Girl's school just north of Centralia.
Convict Rock Crushing Quarry at Meskill Station.
Coal Mines at Tono and Mendota; oil wells at Tenino.
Mossy Rock, Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Springs Falls, Cowlitz Gorge.
Cowlitz Valley and Columbia River; stopping at Winlock, Napavine, Vader, Castle Rock, Kelso and other pretty towns. See smelt fisheries and ocean-going cigar shaped raft.
Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake via Castle Rock—two weeks' trip.
VANCOUVER: Oldest city in state; settled in 1824 by the Hudson Bay Company. It slopes gently towards the Columbia river, visible from all points. To the north are the prune orchards for which Clarke county is noted, and the English walnut seems to have found its ideal habitat. Adjoining city are the Vancouver Barracks, occupying 640 acres of land, 300 of which constitute a natural park with many winding roads. State schools for the deaf and the blind are located near. What is said to be the oldest apple tree in the Northwest still thrives. Electric lines extend to the outlying districts, also to Portland, Oregon, while auto drives may be made along the river, nowhere more picturesque, or through the surrounding prosperous farming districts.
Suggested trips:
Battle Ground Lake, 20 miles (auto or steam cars).
Washougal River, 20 miles east (auto or steam cars).
Camas, 10 miles east, to see Crown Columbia Paper Mills.
Lake Merrill, costing $25.00 for four or five persons.
Portland, Oregon, the second city in the Northwest, soon to be connected by a $1,750,000.00 bridge across the Columbia.
North fork of Lewis River for fishing, hunting and camping.
Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake, 60 miles, via Lewis River.
Mount Adams and Indian Race track in Klickitat county, via White Salmon.
Several hot springs at Stevenson and Carson in Skamania county.
White Salmon Valley (train or boat), a rich picturesque region adapted to orchards and farming.
A river trip to the mouth of the Columbia or up to Celilo Falls.
GOLDENDALE: County seat of Klickitat county; reached via S. P. & S. railway. Surrounding country is one immense beauty spot with valleys, mountains, prairie, and timber. Mounts Hood, Adams, and St. Helens, are always visible. Many beautiful trips may be taken. Historical sights are numerous.
When you have seen Washington, the vast territory of Alaska awaits you. Alaska, the last of the undeveloped free empires! This region is so extensive that even the state of Washington would be lost in its midst, for its area is equal to that of the original thirteen colonies, with Maine, Vermont, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Michigan thrown in, or one-fifth of the entire United States. It has a range of latitude of 1,100 miles, while its extreme longitude would reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
In proportion to its vastness, so are its wonders. Stupendous mountains reach to three and nearly four miles in height, loftier than any others in the United States or its possessions. The Yukon River is 2,300 miles in length and its nearest rival, 1,000 miles. The biggest glaciers in North America are here, which make those of Europe look like mere pygmies, and volcanoes still in eruption may be viewed from a safe point. The scenery produced by the green rock-bound fiords with the snowy peaks beyond is truly magnificent.
It is also a great treasure house. By the end of 1914 there had been produced, $540,000,000, or about 75 times the price paid for its purchase, representing over $15,000.00 for each white person now inhabiting it. Almost half was from gold mining and within the last twenty years. The rest was from fisheries, seals, furs, copper and silver—permanent resources of region.
Alaska is not cold and bleak like Labrador, although its latitude is similar. The Japan current acts as it does on Washington and as the Gulf Stream affects England. Both plant and animal life flourish and about 100,000 square miles of land are available for agricultural purposes.
To partially realize its glories take the inside passage trip from Seattle—a thousand miles of calm sea.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Page 22, "occurences" changed to "occurrences" (occurrences that so often)
Page 32, "stupenduous" changed to "stupendous" (the stupendous sum)
Page 49, repeated word "of" removed from text. Text now reads (waters of Puget Sound)
Page 49, "State" changed to "States" (pinnacle in the United States)
Page 67, "panaroma" changed to "panorama" (unfolds a panorama)
Text uses both historic and current spelling of Whidby/Whidbey Island.
This book spells "throroughfare" as "thorofare".
THE END |
|