Part 1 of two parts Before Lynnwood – a peaceful land of giant trees When the loggers and the homesteaders came to the area we know today as Lynnwood, except for the sound of the birds and the soft breeze as it rustled through the branches of the immense trees, there was silence. Located a…
The latest issue of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Magazine reminded me that on Monday, March 29, our country will pay honor to the veterans of the Vietnam War, and we are requested to display our country’s flag on this special day of remembrance. Over 50 years ago, many of our young people were…
Sometimes writing articles about history can be frustrating, controversial, and even boring. Right in the middle of putting together an article about a large lumber company, its long-time log agent, and the beginnings of Lynnwood and Edmonds, I experienced all three moods, so I decided to put this particular project aside for the time being,…
Some changes in my own life inspired me to look at the history of shopping from a different perspective, and to realize that through the years, even though new technology has brought some cosmetic changes, the basics still pretty much remain the same—shopping from home is popular, convenient and sometimes a necessity. Until May of…
Recently, a reader commenting on my April 9, 2019 article, “Looking Back: South Snohomish County place names from the past,” asked how Shell Creek got its name? In my reply to the reader’s question, I reached back to some of my own memories from well over 80 years ago, when I was a child of Edmonds…
Shown above are some of the volunteer firefighters from Station No. 1, Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 1, its home base located at Seattle Heights, three miles east of Edmonds. The men were standing beside one of the district’s fire trucks in front of Eisen’s Garage on the northeast corner of today’s 212th Street…
Discovering history sources Clues to historical stories can be found in records from many different, and even unusual sources. The idea for this column originated from a small portion of a 1910 Plat of Township 27 North, Range 4 East, Willamette Meridian, Snohomish County, Washington. The southwest Snohomish County landholders of 1910 shown on this…
The Cheesecake Factory arrived in Snohomish County, with a soft opening Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 at Alderwood Mall. Guests at the soft opening included mall patrons as well as members of the community representing law enforcement, firefighters and military personnel, said Joseph Phillips, regional vice president. Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restaurant…
In October of 1918, the world was still fighting WWI, and although the end of the hostilities was near, censorship of the news still remained. Therefore, it was left to the non-combatant country of Spain to report that civilians in many places were becoming ill and dying at an alarming rate. These circumstances gave rise…
This year, Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25. However, because of the present health issues, there will be few, if any, gatherings of people for public ceremonies. Instead, I hope the day will be a quiet time, filled with personal reflections. In Edmonds, because it has been 75 years since the ending…
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Much like the Biblical Job, during her lifetime, Katrina Bagley endured one loss after another. Through it all, she never faltered in her love of life, her church, nor her love for her family. While talking with three of her grandsons, I learned much about this indomitable lady and her enjoyment of life. With that…
Through the years, Edmonds High School became noted for its music department. Since the school’s early days, and especially under the direction of William Osburn in the 1930s, the high school started winning awards, beginning with an excellent rating in April 1933 at the Western Washington Music Meet held at the University of Washington. Only…
Over 86 years ago, when I entered first grade in the Edmonds School District, I certainly never had any idea that so many years later I would still remember many of my school teachers. A few are remembered in special ways. My first four years were spent at Alderwood Manor Grade School, and there I…
For those who may wonder what happened to me, Anchorage, Alaska is now my home. I will continue to write from here about some of the history of Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. However, what follows this time is a wonderful story written by a newsman from Alaska. It is an unusual story and I…
This artist’s drawing depicts the former Hughes Memorial Methodist-Episcopal Church of Edmonds. Opened in 1924, the Spanish-mission-style church replaced the small 1908 Swedish Methodist Church. Hughes Methodist Church become a familiar and beloved landmark in downtown Edmonds at the intersection of Fifth and Dayton Streets on the northwest corner of what was popularly known as…
Personal memories As the years pass, it seems inevitable that Lynnwood’s old buildings will all disappear and only memories of another time will be left to us. Recently, when I walked by the red-brick building pictured here and saw that it was for sale, I could not help but wonder if this historic building would…
