Junius Rochester

Junius Rochester, whose family has shaped the city for many generations, is an award-winning Northwest historian and author of numerous books about Seattle and other places.

George Vanderveer, Two-fisted Attorney for Underdogs

As a Deputy King County Prosecuting Attorney, George Vanderveer stepped into one courtroom fracas after another.  His legal life was a baptism in the world of radicals, pickpockets, and their neighbors.

How Harold L. Ickes Saved Olympic Peninsula Forests

The Olympic Peninsula was once set aside for hunting elk and mining manganese. Thanks to Ickes and Gov Wallgren, those lands are now protected for recreation.

When Alice B. Toklas Lived in Seattle

Alice attended the University of Washington, which was then at the downtown site of the present Four Seasons-Olympic Hotel. She described her only year at the University as "lively."

The Sad-Happy Story of Horace Cayton

A world of trouble, travel, sexual adventures, and struggles for an education became Horace Cayton's life.

Looking for Surviving Footprints of the Lewis & Clark Expedition

Historian Bernard DeVoto described this real estate deal (the purchase of western land from Napoleon) as "one of the most important events in world history."  America doubled its size at the stroke of a pen.

The Seattle Theatre Impresario who killed the Police Chief (and got away with it)

Chief William Meredith moved against Considine's practice of having girls cadge drinks from customers.  Parlaying his considerable political influence, Considine managed to force Meredith's resignation.

Tacoma’s Grand Chateau: Stadium High

The Northern Pacific intended its Tacoma hotel to be one of the world's grand chateaux. After a fire, it was converted to Stadium High School with its grand athletic field.

Washington is Home to Some of the Nation’s Largest Trees

Although rain-soaked Western Washington boasts the most impressive collection of tall trees, other regions are in the running.

Explaining Curious Washington Names

The name Mazama is Spanish for mountain goat, a likely improvement to its first designation as Goat Creek.

Richard Beyer: The Characters He Left Behind

About the famous "Waiting for the Interurban" in Fremont, Rich suggested that his somber, patiently-waiting passengers represent a kind of protest "of what automobiles have done to our urban scene."

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