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1. The Renting Prospect on the Snohomish River

   A rare glimpse into the early housing market of the Snohomish valley, where a riverside property seeks a tenant for a multi-year term.

   Dec 8, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyHousing & Rent

2. The Magic Well of the Upper Skagit

   An 1877 expedition pushes beyond the edge of known maps into the upper Skagit wilderness, encountering glowing tunnels, giant eagles, and the promise of a rugged agricultural frontier.

   Feb 27, 1878The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

3. A Correspondent Reports on the Nez Perce Conflict

   Writing from Olympia in 1877, a local correspondent describes Nez Perce leaders’ refusal to relocate and the surprise attack that sparked a war many understood as a defense of home.

   Jul 14, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyExclusion & Resistance

4. The Snohomish Pulpit and the 'Spirit of Indifference'

   A local sermon challenges the congregation to stop treating religion as mere entertainment and instead fight for their beliefs in an era of rapid scientific change.

   Aug 11, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish County

5. The Pioneer Nursery Bringing Life to the Sound

   Before Snohomish was a sprawling suburb, it was a frontier canvas for orchards and ornamental gardens seeking to tame the wild Washington landscape.

   Dec 22, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish County

6. The Unseen Agriculture of the Duwamish Valley

   A survey of the productive farmland, nascent dairy industry, and pioneering spirit of the families turning the Duwamish and White River riverbanks into a breadbasket for Seattle.

   Jul 13, 1878The Northern StarSeattle, King CountyBoom & Bust

7. The Political Landscape of Snohomish, 1878

   As the November election approaches, the citizens of Washington Territory weigh the merits of local candidates for Sheriff, Auditor, and beyond.

   Oct 19, 1878The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyCity Hall

8. The Great Depression of the 1870s Hits Snohomish

   Facing a glut of goods and a collapsing market, local merchants slash prices and scramble to entice struggling settlers.

   Jan 25, 1879The Northern StarFront Street, Seattle, King CountyBoom & Bust

9. Taming the Snohomish Valley Marshlands

   A look at the settlers turning the muddy, fertile banks of the Snohomish River into a bustling agricultural hub through sweat and engineering.

   Aug 4, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust

10. A $3 Million Sawmill Goes Corporate on Puget Sound

    Port Blakely’s mill owners incorporated in California, putting a $3 million lumber empire under a manager who would run it from the Washington Territory shore.

    Nov 11, 1876The Northern StarBainbridge Island, Kitsap CountyFollow the Money

11. The Boom Town on the Skagit

    As La Conner transformed into a bustling grain-shipping hub, new docks and storefronts sprouted along the Swinomish Slough to accommodate the region's agricultural explosion.

    Dec 14, 1878The Northern StarLa Conner, Skagit CountyBoom & Bust

12. Forging the Future: The High Stakes of the Wilkeson Coal Line

    As the Pacific Northwest transitions into an industrial powerhouse, a new rail line connects the rugged interior to the sea, promising to turn a wilderness of cedar and coal into a bustling mining frontier.

    Sep 29, 1877The Northern StarWilkeson, Pierce CountyBoom & Bust

13. The Great Grasshopper Panic: Why Washington Farmers Are Bracing for a Locust Apocalypse

    Professor Riley predicts an unprecedented crop of grasshoppers across the Northwest and beyond, urging immediate preparation as eggs hatch in offices from Minnesota to Missouri.

    Feb 10, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

14. The Sudden Passing of Captain E. A. Starr

    A beloved community leader and steamship captain dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances.

    Jul 22, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyTrue Crime

15. The Great Sheep War: Seattle’s Political Flocks and the Independent Goats

    A satirical letter to the editor uses a bizarre allegory of sheep herds and wild goats to critique Seattle's political parties, corporate wolves, and the emerging independence of women in public life.

    Feb 3, 1877The Northern StarSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

16. The Chief’s Last Stand: A Vision of Justice Beyond the Grave

    In a rare and poignant interview, Spotted Tail articulates a theology of retribution where the Great Spirit favors the Native American over the white settler in the afterlife.

    Mar 25, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyExclusion & Resistance

17. The Goddess of Slang: A Poetic Flirtation in the Territory

    A whimsical verse from the late 19th century captures the playful, rhyming courtship rituals of Snohomish Territory, offering a glimpse into the lighthearted side of pioneer life.

    Feb 19, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Strange But True

18. The River That Swallowed a Steamboat: A Brave Attempt to Reach Snohomish Falls

    Twenty-five passengers and tons of freight battled the treacherous Snoqualmie River on the steamer *Columbia*, only to be stopped by a massive landslide just miles from their destination.

    May 20, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Strange But True

19. The Temple of Thought: Snohomish Builds Its Own Athenaeum

    A visiting orator declares the new Snohomish Athenaeum a 'temple of science, literature, and art,' rising from the wilderness to preserve the intellectual legacy of the Pacific Northwest.

    Jun 10, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyGone Forever

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