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1. Battle over Historic Steamer Boiler on South Tenth Street

   Civic leaders and the Historical Society are at odds over the permanent placement of a steam-powered relic.

   May 10, 1909The Tacoma TimesSouth 10th Street, Tacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

2. Ellensburg, Olympia and Yakima Vie for Capital

   As Washington prepares for statehood, a vicious battle erupts between Yakima, Ellensburg, and Olympia over which city deserves to be the capital.

   Jun 13, 1889The Yakima HeraldYakima, Yakima CountyBoom & Bust · City Hall

3. The City Grants a Telephone Franchise

   A new 25-year contract outlines the city's control over telecommunications infrastructure, requiring underground conduits and free service for city officials.

   Oct 19, 1916The Kennewick Courier-ReporterKennewick, Benton CountyFollow the Money

4. The Tragic Death of Katherine Paetz

   A young woman is found dead in a shack after fleeing home following a family dispute over her romantic choice.

   Mar 25, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyTrue Crime

5. The Hollow Victory of Spokane's Police Matrons

   A budget cut threatens the hard-won placement of women in jails, proving that 'good government' battles are never truly finished.

   Sep 23, 1910The Labor JournalSpokane, Spokane CountyCity Hall

6. The Tug-of-War Over the Main Street Slip

   Local contractors and industrial giants clash over the city’s limited waterfront access.

   Jul 28, 1889The Seattle Post-IntelligencerJackson Street, Seattle, King CountyFollow the Money

7. The Ferry Fight: A Rural Dispute Over Public Infrastructure

   Tensions boil over between the Kennewick Commercial Club and the residents of Hover regarding the placement of the local ferry and access to reliable roads.

   Jul 6, 1916The Kennewick Courier-ReporterKennewick, Benton CountyFollow the Money · Boom & Bust

8. Railroad Fight Stalls Property Condemnation

   Federal court continues land cases as Northern Pacific faces challenges over proposed track placement near Chambers Creek.

   Apr 12, 1909The Tacoma TimesChambers Creek, Tacoma, Pierce CountyFollow the Money

9. The Great Aberdeen Schoolhouse Schism

   A bitter public dispute erupts over where to build the city's new school, pitting local business titans and school board members against one another in a war of open letters.

   Jan 7, 1892Aberdeen HeraldAberdeen, Grays Harbor CountyCity Hall

10. The Tragedy of Trixey Leighton

    A gambling house faro dealer and his mistress are found in a grizzly scene in Spokane, leading to a murder investigation that revealed the stark, hidden vulnerabilities of women living on the social margins of the 1890s.

    Mar 30, 1892The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSpokane, Spokane CountyTrue Crime

11. A Monument for the Forgotten Conflict

    Walla Walla's Red Cross society secures a contract for a Spanish-American War memorial, sparking debate over its placement in the city.

    Jul 9, 1903The Evening StatesmanWalla Walla, Walla Walla CountyCity Hall

12. The City Buried Its Own Mistake: Coroner’s Verdict Blames Seattle for Deadly Boiler Explosion

    A coroner’s jury has issued a scathing indictment against the city of Seattle, its building inspectors, and a plumber for the negligence that led to a Tuesday night explosion. The verdict fixes blame on the municipality for allowing a dangerous steam heater beneath a public sidewalk without proper oversight.

    Mar 24, 1899The Seattle StarQueen Anne, Seattle, King CountyCity Hall · Disasters

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