The Tilton River, which flows southwest from Mount Rainier and into the Cowlitz River, was named for – probably named by – one James Tilton. He was the surveyor general of Washington …

Editor’s note: The following History Files column originally appeared in February 2022. I have often taken the road less traveled. Most think me foolish to enjoy a drive by backroads that …

The beginning of a new year is often a time of reflection. It certainly was for me this year. Near the end of 2023, I visited the location on Maury Island where the Verona and Calista were built …

Editor’s note: This is an update of one of Tim Raetzloff’s most popular columns. The chicken runs at midnight. This isn't ancient history. Much more recent. It dates from 1992, but it seems …

If you take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston, and then drive to Port Townsend, you will likely drive through Chimacum on Highway 19. A farm near Chimacum was the source of the story "The Egg …

Thirteen years ago, I went in search of Anabe Falls with three other Edmonds residents: Michele Harris, Marie Lovell, and Brian Harris. Anabe Falls is east of North Bend, and a long way from …

Not all of the history of this region is human history. Before anyone lived here, super-charged geologic forces dug up and dug out our geography – and ice was a major tool. Something over …

"History is written by the winners." I have seen that quote attributed to George Orwell, Napoleon and even novelist Dan Brown. The phrase itself represents how difficult it is to reconcile …

Washington has some lovely state parks that were once a part of the coast defense system. Fort Casey on Whidbey Island was one of the forts. Also Fort Worden at Port Townsend, and Fort Flagler on …

In 1905, the south boundary of Edmonds was Walnut Street. How do I know? A few years ago, Brian Harris gave me a copy of the 1905 map of Snohomish County Road #49. According to the folks at …

Edmonds is identified with the ferries that shuttle back and forth to Kingston, and a ferry is prominent in the city's logo. No wonder – they've been a part of the Edmonds seascape for 100 years …

I recently gave a presentation to the Lynnwood Kiwanis, who actually meet in Edmonds at Maplewood Presbyterian Church. Because of the location, I made C.T. Conover a large part of the …

My mother's parents lost their farm in the southeast corner of Montana, near Ridge, in 1924. They packed up everything they could, like "The Beverly Hillbillies," and left everything they couldn't …

Talgo 6 trainsets traveled through Edmonds on a daily basis as the Amtrak Cascades for more than two decades. And the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie was able to acquire a Talgo 6 bistro car …

Recent trips to Alpental at Snoqualmie Pass and Black River Junction in Renton were learning experiences and reminders of history that is older than usually found in textbooks. I had never been to …

I drive to work every day from Ninth, north of Puget to Harbor Square. I pass the same places over and over. Change is gradual, and it's easy to forget what isn't there anymore. As I stopped at …

A number of years ago, I was sitting on the sofa in the late Mary Daheim's living room. On the end table next to me was a book titled "A Hoghead's Random Railroad Reminiscences." The author was …

In my last column, I wrote about former Seattle Mariner third-base coach Rich Donnelly, his daughter Amy, her losing battle with cancer in the 1990s, and a couple of nearly forgotten baseball players …

The chicken runs at midnight. This isn't ancient history. Much more recent. It dates from 1992, but it seems appropriate this year when the Mariners may be making a playoff run for the first time in …

The history of railroads in Edmonds is really rather boring. Great Northern Railway reached Edmonds in 1891. The most unusual aspect of this arrival was that Great Northern used the name of a …