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1. Smallpox Outbreak in Port Townsend

   The port faces a health crisis after an Indian crew member is landed ashore with smallpox, sparking panic and strict quarantine measures.

   Sep 23, 1876The Northern StarPort Townsend, Port Townsend, Jefferson CountyCity Hall · Disasters

2. 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.

   May 5, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyDisasters

3. The First Cannery on the Sound: Vining’s Giant Fish Factory Opens in Mukilteo

   A new industrial giant rises on the Puget Sound waterfront, promising to feed Seattle and bring prosperity to a small town.

   Jul 28, 1877The Northern StarMukilteo, Snohomish CountyWork & Pay

4. A Steam-Powered Saturday at the Ballgame

   In 1877, a merry crew boarded the steamer 'Nellie' for a day of baseball and feasting at Port Gamble, capturing a rare moment of community harmony on the Sound.

   Sep 22, 1877The Northern StarPort Gamble, Kitsap CountyNightlife

5. Smallpox Scare at Port Townsend

   Rumors of a smallpox outbreak on Puget Sound trigger public panic, but health officials scramble to reassure the community.

   Sep 30, 1876The Northern StarPort Townsend, Jefferson CountyStrange But True

6. The Steamer Yakima’s Narrow Escape on the Snohomish River

   A dangerous excursion up the river tests the limits of steamboat navigation through uncharted waters and shifting logjams.

   Oct 28, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish River, Snohomish, Snohomish County

7. The Great Snohomish River Canoe Disaster: A Tale of Terror, Whales, and Pluck

   Four prominent local businessmen nearly lost their lives when a massive whale capsized their boat in the dark, but one man’s calm courage saved them all.

   Jan 27, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

8. The Strange Disappearance of a Logger

   After a camp cook vanishes with his employer's belongings, the logging crew is left baffled by his sudden and inexplicable departure.

   Aug 19, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyTrue Crime

9. 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.

   Jun 23, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyTrue Crime

10. The Brutal Labor of Clearing the Snohomish River

    For over two years, crews braved the most dangerous and grueling work in the territory to clear the river for navigation, battling everything from treacherous snags to a lack of promised payment.

    Jun 12, 1878The Northern StarSnohomish River, Snohomish, Snohomish CountyWork & Pay

11. The First White Family: A Pioneer’s Log-Cabin Legacy

    An excerpt from the diary of a local historian recounts the arrival of Mr. Thompson in Snohomish in 1864, detailing the rugged journey up the river and the humble beginnings of what is now a thriving town.

    Jan 22, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Gone Forever

12. The Great Cascade: A Pilgrimage to the Roar of Snoqualmie Falls

    In July 1877, three travelers walked the rugged trail from Snohomish to Fall City, documenting the lush farms, the hospitality of settlers, and the awe-inspiring power of the falls—a testament to the beauty and isolation of early Washington Territory.

    Jul 21, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

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