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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1876 | 143 |
| 1877 | 220 |
| 1878 | 187 |
| 1879 | 49 |
599 stories
- The Price of Survival: A Snohomish Debt Crisis
A legal summons from 1877 reveals the precarious reality of early Washington life, where a simple tab for board, lodging, and basic goods could land a resident in district court.
- The Price of Staying at the Hotel
In an era of credit-based commerce, a local hotelier takes a debtor to court to settle an unpaid tab for board and lodging.
- The Price of Staying Fed and Housed
A legal notice from 1878 sheds light on the precarious nature of boarding house life in frontier Snohomish.
- Evicted from the Table: A Frontier Debt Dispute
When boarder Daniel Leighton failed to settle his bill for food and lodging, he found himself named in a district court summons, revealing the precarious reality of daily life in the Snohomish territory.
- The Promised Land of Mukilteo
Developers pitch a vision of 'valuable' homesteads and marshland ranches to settlers, promising a life of agriculture and industry on the shores of the Sound.
- The Forgotten Colony of 'La Grande Marsh'
Promoters promised a thriving agricultural paradise on the outskirts of Snohomish, marketing deep-water access and fertile soil to lure a new generation of settlers.
- When Washington Voters First Weighed Statehood
In 1878, Governor Elisha P. Ferry issued a formal proclamation calling for a territory-wide vote on the proposed state constitution and the future of regional representation.
- The Great Christmas Tree: $500 in Gifts and a River Crossing
Snohomish residents gathered for a massive holiday celebration on the evening of December 23rd, distributing an estimated $5,000 worth of presents from the 'Christmas tree' before crossing the swollen river to join neighbors in Lone Tree.
- The Boom Town Hustle
In 1876, a frantic race to build and occupy new structures captures the rapid, speculative growth of Snohomish.
- The Blues of the Black River: A Walk Through Snohomish’s New Frontier
A local resident takes a stroll through the muddy pastures and new homesteads near the Black River, finding beauty in the 'mounds' of ancient history and the promise of a fresh start for settlers.
- The Tragedy of Booth: A Fatal Mistake with a Revolver
A young man preparing to move his hogs north from Island County suffered a gruesome accident when he mistook a loaded chamber for an empty one, resulting in a bullet that pierced his heart and shoulder.
- A Journey to the Falls: 1880s Summer Excursion
A spirited account of a travel party’s trek from Snohomish to Snoqualmie Falls by boat, including dances, camping mishaps, and encounters with local settlers.
- The Unmasking of a Snohomish Thief
After vanishing from a logging camp with a comrade's savings, a thief is tracked to Port Townsend and branded a criminal.
- The New Life of the Black Diamond
A Snohomish captain purchases a small steamer to ply the rivers of the Sound, reviving a vessel from his past.
- The Great Lemonade Deception
A courting couple tries to trick one another in the dark, but a mischievous brother gets the last laugh.
- The Ultimatum: Lager or Love
A Snohomish woman forces a choice between the bottle and the altar.
- The Launch of the Messenger
A new steamer designed for Puget Sound makes a graceful debut on the water.
- The View from the Frontier: How the Old World Saw Pacific Coast Science
A visiting British scientist praises American ingenuity, from the innovative naval mapping of the Pacific depths to the reliable accuracy of 'Old Prob'—the precursor to modern weather forecasting.
- The Price of a Bible and a Grumpy Husband
A Preston man’s fiery reaction to his wife lending their only Bible captures the domestic tensions and religious rigidity of territorial life.
- The Snohomish River’s New Monster: A Whale That Could End the Town
A massive whale has lodged itself in the Snohomish River, threatening to become a permanent local landmark—or a disaster—if it isn't moved.
- The Great Snohomish Masquerade Fever: Why Everyone Is Dressed Up
From private juvenile balls to town-wide spectacles, the local press reports a sudden craze for masquerades sweeping through Snohomish and neighboring Sound cities.
- The School Exhibition That Built a Community
A spirited evening of song, parody, and moral lessons raised enough cash to buy the Snohomish school its first organ.
- The Ghost in the Machine: How a 'Practical Little Woman' Tamed the Steamboat Turbulent Sea
In the chaotic early days of Puget Sound steam navigation, one female cook didn't just serve meals—she served stability, calming a terrified crew with her own brand of turbulence.
- The Great Timber Heist: A Raft of Logs Vanishes from Snohomish Wharf
A massive shipment of lumber disappears from Jackson's wharf under the cover of a storm, leaving local merchants and the U.S. Mail steamer crew to pick up the pieces.
- The Man Who Cut His Hand to Save It: A Snohomish Logging Camp Tragedy
In the sweltering heat of July 1877, a laborer at Hollert’s logging camp suffered a gruesome accident that required immediate surgical intervention in town.