The Newspaper Mill That Almost Came to Snoqualmie Falls
In 1895, New York's biggest papers looked west at cheap cottonwood and waterfall power—and a Seattle booster tried to close the deal.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
PAPER BY THE TON. A New York Mill May Be Induced to Snoqualmie. TO USE POWER OF THE FALLS.
In view of the projected development of the power of Snoqualmie Falls, a movement is on foot by New York paper men to establish a big paper mill at Snoqualmie for the purpose of manufacturing the paper used by the New York Herald and the New York World from cottonwood, which can be secured for $1.50 a cord in unlimited quantities. At present the company is making paper from cottonwood imported from Canada, which costs $2.50 per cord. The Herald and the World each use forty-five tons of newspaper daily, and the concern which contemplates establishing the mill at Snoqualmie has for some years had a contract with the two papers, furnishing them all the paper they require.
It is not definitely known just how far along the venture for Snoqualmie Falls has progressed, but it is said that the plant is almost assured and not only has the site been once visited by representatives of the company, but another delegation will arrive shortly from the East to again visit the falls and study the conditions. It is understood that D. L. Gilman has induced the company to consider removal to Snoqualmie, having called upon the officers while in the East and pointed out the excellence of the enterprise and the economical basis on which the natural conditions will permit of the plant being operated.
“The Herald and the World each use forty-five tons of newspaper daily, and the concern which contemplates establishing the mill at Snoqualmie has for some years had a contract with the two papers, furnishing them all the paper they require.”
Snoqualmie Falls today is known for its hydroelectric plant, lodge and dramatic overlook—not for newsprint. But this 1895 proposal shows how energy and natural resources have long pulled outside capital into the Snoqualmie Valley, and how speculative industrial booms can evaporate before a single ton of paper is made.
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