The Best Board in the County
A look inside the 19th-century hospitality of Isaac Cathcart’s Snohomish Exchange, the premier establishment of its time.
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.
The Snohomish Exchange, located in Snohomish City, W.T., stands as the premier establishment in Snohomish County. The hotel provides first-class board at moderate rates, catering to the needs of travelers and residents alike. The bar is supplied with the finest wines and liquors found north of San Francisco, and the premises feature a first-class billiard table for the recreation of the house's patrons. Proprietor Isaac Cathcart invites the public to experience the hospitality of the establishment, emphasizing quality service and a well-appointed atmosphere for all guests.
“This hotel is the best in Snohomish County, in every respect.”
In the 1880s, the 'Exchange' was the central hub for travelers in a growing frontier town. Today, Snohomish’s historic downtown remains a regional draw for hospitality, proving that while the 'wines and liquors' have changed, the town's focus on visitor experience as an economic engine is a century-old tradition.
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