Tumwater

Originally published Saturday, January 12, 2002

Originally named New Market, Tumwater is the site of the first American settlement on Puget Sound. The latter name is derived from the Indian word "Tum-wa-ta," which means "strong water" or "waterfall."

Barnes Lake, south of Tumwater, drains into Percival Creek. It's named for Nelson Barnes, a former mayor of Tumwater who also owned a slaughterhouse. He and Anna Barnes arrived in Washington Territory in 1850 and claimed 619 acres.

Israel Road isn't named for another country. The road is named for William Israel, who came to the area in 1881. He was a county commissioner, and his son, George, was a prominent lawyer. The road goes from Henderson Boulevard to 66th Avenue Southwest.

The Crosby House and Crosby Boulevard are other Tumwater highlights. They're named for Clanrick and Pheobe H. Crosby, who claimed 640 acres in 1851. The Crosby House is in the Tumwater Historic District.

The Black Hills were named for the Black River. The series of hills are mentioned in the treaty with the S'klalam Indians signed Jan. 26, 1855.

Also named for the river is Black Lake, the largest natural lake in the county and the major source of the Black River. The lake also has been called Sa-chal and Satchall in early written reports. The Black River flows southwest into the Chehalis River.

Nearby, Goldsby Street connects with Black Lake Boulevard at Black Lake. It's named for Fred, John, Doc, Marion, Henry and Franklin Goldsby, who arrived in 1880.

Beatty Creek rises on the east side of the Black Hills in the Capitol State Forest. It's named after Daniel C. Beatty, who arrived in Washington Territory in 1853 and claimed 160 acres on the creek, which joins Lane Creek before flowing into Puget Sound.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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