Dave Wortman/For The Olympian
The Snohomish historic district, which includes residential and commercial areas, is one of the Northwest's most complete.

Walks of history

Snohomish's quiet, tree-lined streets are home to a wealth of eclectic adventures

DAVE WORTMAN, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

SNOHOMISH -- Darlene Huntington stares out the window of the historic Blackman House and down toward First Street, Snohomish's main drag through town. Her expression shows a hint of nostalgia.

The longtime resident and now leader in the town's historical society, recalls the days of empty, hollow storefronts and deserted sidewalks.

"It's hard to believe, but this downtown was once really dead. If it hadn't been for the hard work of the residents here, it might still be that way," she notes.

Today, strolling down the town's bustling First Street and past its vibrant storefronts, it's hard to imagine its down-and-out days.

Yet, Snohomish managed to pull off long ago what many other towns in fast-growing Snohomish County did not --they've not only preserved the historic heart of downtown from the tide of development, they've turned it to their advantage. The city boasts one of the most complete historic districts in the region.

Forty years later, Snohomish has become an ideal place to spend a day or weekend browsing antique shops, admiring the eclectic array of historic buildings, or visiting historic museums. The town's central location also serves as a great base for adventures out into the surrounding farmland or to other historic destinations throughout southern Snohomish County.

Sights and attractions

Although the greater town has more than 8,000 residents, historic Snohomish is pleasantly walkable, its commercial district packed into a handful of blocks along the Snohomish River, and its residential district located just up the hill.

In all, there are more than 60 historic structures of interest.

Your first stop in town should be the Visitor Information Center, where you can pick up a walking map that will describe and point you to all of the town's major historic homes and businesses. Printed guides will even recommend walking routes for you.

The main hub of activity in town is First Street, where a variety of buildings with an interesting mix of brick, stone, and cast iron facades offer places to grab a meal or beer, rummage among antiques, or even stay the night.

Still surviving downtown are places such as "Soap Suds Row," rowhouses where loggers would take their work clothes to be washed by the wives of mill workers.

Also in town you'll find Old Snohomish Village, a fun collection of cabins, a general store with shelves of stock items from the early 1900s, and a blacksmith shop.

The historic residential area contains a delightful display of various architectural styles, including the famed Queen Anne-style "gingerbread" house, and homes constructed in the Dutch colonial, craftsman, colonial revival, English cottage revival, and American Homestead styles.

While most of these houses are occupied and closed to the public, there is enjoyment in just wandering the quiet, tree-lined streets and peeking into local gardens.

To get a look inside one of the town's historic homes, stop by the Blackman House, purchased as a museum in 1969 by the town's historical society.

Inside you'll find furnishings and collectibles owned by the Blackman family, one of the town's first pioneer families, as well as other fine antique pieces.

Antique shoppers and collectors can satisfy every craving. With more than 400 dealers, Snohomish prides itself on being the antique capital of the Northwest.

Explore among the eclectic array of collectibles, furniture, glass, pottery, memorabilia and books.

From May to September, the town hosts a farmers market on Thursday evenings with 60-plus vendors displaying crafts, produce, nursery items and more.

Kla-Ha-Ya Days, a lively festival with a parade and carnival as well as arts, crafts and garden tours, runs from July 19-22. There is also a garden tour around town on July 29, while the town's historical society hosts a home tour on Sept. 16.

If you're looking to stay overnight in and around town, there are a half-dozen bed-and-breakfast inns to choose from, ranging from historic inns such as the Java Inn right along First Street, to stately homes such as the Cadyville Carriage House just a few blocks away in the town's historic residential area.

There are also country inns, such as the Grand Valley View Bed and Breakfast just outside of town.

The Visitor Center provides information on a variety of accommodations.

Adventures farther away

More than 100 years after their settlement, many of the farms that spread across the flat, fertile valleys outside town still thrive, and several of them cater to the public.

Farms such as Bailey Vegetables and Haggen Vegetables, south across the river, are open to the public, offering a variety of "U-pick" vegetables and flowers during summer.

If you want to use Snohomish as a base and stick to historic themes, other destinations in Snohomish County worth visiting are the historic Mukilteo Lighthouse and museum, the historical museum in downtown Edmonds, and the Rucker Hill historic residential district in Everett.

In late August or early September, you may also want to venture out to the Evergreen State Fair, which takes place annually at the fairgrounds just 8 miles west of town in Monroe.

Dave Wortman is a Seattle-based free-lance travel and outdoors writer.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

back to main Discover index