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.

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."

The Ghosts of Port Ludlow

Yesterday's Port Ludlow was an important Chemakum Native village and burial site.  Later it became one of the Pacific Northwest's largest sawmills. Today it has evolved into a luxury resort.

Columbia River Country through the Eyes of Lewis and Clark

After leaving the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers in October 1805, near today's Pasco, Washington, the intrepid explorers marveled at "the number of dead salmon on the shores and floating in the river."

Lonely, Abandoned Fort Simcoe Near Yakima

There is an abandoned U.S. Army fort, one of two in our state (the other is Fort Walla Walla) that were constructed to "protect" white settlers in the 1850s and 1860s.  Its name is Fort Simcoe.

Latest