Historic Walk of Edmonds
- Click on any number in the map below to see photos of the historic site along with a
description and text of a historic plaque, if one has been placed on the site. This map and
guide is about 11 pages long if you decide to print it.
- You may prefer to download and print a 10 page PDF version (668kb file) or a one page PDF version with just the map and list of the sites (19kb file)
# 1 - Shingle Mills
144 Railroad Avenue / 220 Railroad Avenue
This plaque commemorates the role of the shingle mills in the history of Edmonds. The number of mills grew rapidly because of the availability of quality timber close at hand, unlimited source of water power, and good transportation. At the height of the shingle industry, mills stretched along the Edmonds waterfront.
Historic Plaque (1983) - Site of Quality Mill (Big Swede)
Tall stands of cedar trees crowded the shoreline and hillsides of what is now Edmonds when the first cedar shingle mill was built near this site about 1890. In later years as many as ten mills were operating along this waterfront. Early inhabitants numbering about one thousand people were mostly loggers, shingle sawyers, boom-men, kneebolters and shingle weavers who were dependent on the mills. Rail spurs served the mills and cargoes were also shipped by coastwise steamers. On this site a shingle mill was operated in 1907 locally known as the Big Swede Mill. In 1915 it became the Quality Mill. Destroyed by fire in 1921 it was rebuilt and continued production for thirty years. Receding forests and competition eventually forced its closure. In 1951 this last surviving mill was scrapped. Scattered cedar stumps may still be seen here and there around Edmonds, all that remains of this once flourishing industry.
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1915 |
July 1999 |
# 2 - Ferry Dock / Brackett's Landing
Main Street and Railroad Avenue
The landing site of George Brackett in 1870. Since those early days when Brackett's family and a few other pioneer families settled in this lush forested amphitheater, it has been the heart of Edmonds. Water, rail and highways converge here.
Historic Plaque
(1993)
Edmonds Ferry Dock
From the City Dock the City of Edmonds, owned by the Joyce Brother of Mukilteo, commenced regular service to Kingston on May 16, 1923. The 56ft. auto ferry could carry 12 cars. Edmonds became a major ferry terminal with later service to Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, and Victoria.
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circa 1925 |
July 1999 |
# 3 - The Wells House
120 Edmonds Street
Built in 1891 by Arthur Mowatt on one of the original lots platted by George and Etta Brackett. This house is one of the oldest still standing in Edmonds and has been well cared for throughout the years.
Washington State Historic Register
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circa 1895 |
July 1999 |
# 4 - The Bishop Hotel
Second and Bell Street
This grand and elegant hotel was built in 1890. Also known as the Stevens, Olympic View Hotel and Olympic View Apartments, it was torn down in 1975 to make way for the existing condominiums.
Washington State Historic Register
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circa 1890 |
July 1999 |
# 5 - Brackett's Feed Barn / First School Site
233 Third Avenue North
The first classes of the Edmonds School District #15 were held in a feed barn owned by George Brackett. Six students attended classes here. The barn was torn down in 1964 after years of neglect.
Washington State Historic Register
Historic Plaque (1984)
Site of Brackett's feed barn and first school in Edmonds
On this site in 1884 the first Edmonds School District class was held in a feed barn owned by George Brackett, founder of Edmonds. These plaques placed here Sept. 1984 to commemorate this centennial by Edmonds-South Snohomish County Historical Society.
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circa 1884 |
July 1999 |
# 6 - Edmonds High School
410 4th Avenue North
The cornerstone for the new high school was laid on November 30, 1909. It served as the only high school until 1957 when the new high school was built. From then until 1975 it was the junior high. The building has been completely remodeled and now serves as the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
Washington State Historic Register
Historic Plaque (1990)
Site of first Edmonds High School (Puget Sound Christian College)
The original Edmonds High School was built on this site in October 1909 on land donated by George Brackett. The building was enlarged in 1938. In 1957 the High School was moved and the Edmonds Junior High School occupied the building until 1975. The Puget Sound Christian College purchased the building in 1977.
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circa 1910 |
July 1999 |
# 6a - The Thompson House
216 4th Avenue North
Built in 1904 and originally located at 203 4th Avenue North, this house is a classic example of the late Victorian style home. It was moved to its current location in 1996 by Darrell Marmion to save it from demolition. It is currently being restored in preperation for its 100th birthday.
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circa 1905 |
July 1999 |
# 7 - First Baptist Church
4th and Bell Street
The Baptist Church is the oldest church remaining in downtown Edmonds. Built in 1909 on donated land at 6th and Hebe Way, it was moved to its present site in 1929. This beautiful little church is a wonderful example of architecture typically found in New England.
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circa 1970 |
July 1999 |
# 8 - Chestnut House
115 3rd Avenue North
Built in the late 1890's by Peter Becklund, this historic house has had many owners. Throughout its life it has been lovingly maintained and is a handsome building in our downtown.
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circa 1990 |
July 1999 |
# 9 - Fourth and Main Building
Southwest corner of 4th Avenue and Main Street
Really three buildings, this historic block has been the site of three major businesses. On the east end, the first Bank of Edmonds was built in 1907. The west end was built by W.A. Schumacher in 1890 and sold to E. Heberlein in 1908 where he moved his already established hardware business. In 1907 the Bank contracted for a new building between, to be occupied by William Kingdon's general merchandise store, now serving as Rosa Mundi's Antiques.
Historic Plaque (1988)
Site of first bank in Edmonds
December 1904 marked the organization of the Bank Of Edmonds to serve the needs of the community. It became the State Bank of Edmonds in 1907 and occupied this building, one of the first permanent buildings built in Edmonds. The State Bank of Edmonds was acquired by the National Bank of Commerce in 1946 and later was relocated.
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circa 1907 |
July 1999 |
# 10 - Beeson Building
Main Street between 4th and 5th Avenue
This all concrete structure was built by F.R. Beeson in 1909 after a fire had leveled the entire block. It was the biggest permanent building in town at that time. A large apartment upstairs was home to Mr. and Mrs. Beeson after moving out of their home just around the corner on the north side of Main Street. Their home is now the Beeson House Antiques, 118 4th Avenue North.
Historic Plaque (1999)
Beeson Bulding
In 1911 Mr. Florance R. Beeson erected this concrete building, later owned by his son Hugh. Though damaged, it survived a fire that destroyed neighboring structures on April 11, 1928. The city's first true office building, it has housed restaurants, a drug store, a furniture company, a dance hall and medical offices. Both Beesons were business and community leaders.
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circa 1907 |
July 1999 |
# 11 - Leyda Building
5th and Main Street
Built by former Edmonds Mayor Fred Fortner in 1924, the multi-retail complex with upstairs apartments has been a cornerstone of downtown businesses. Dewey and Cecelia Leyda bought the building in the mid-1940's and completed a major facelift project in 1985 through an Edmonds Main Streets program for downtown renovation.
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circa 1924 |
July 1999 |
# 12 - Methodist Church Site
130 5th Avenue S.
The Hughes Memorial Methodist Church stood on this corner for 37 years before it was demolished in 1961 to make way for a drugstore and supermarket. Unique in its Spanish mission architecture, the congregation included many of Edmonds pioneer families.
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circa 1924 |
July 1999 |
# 13 - Yost Garage (Old Milltown)
Dayton and 5th Avenue
Allen Yost started the first automobile agency in Edmonds, a Ford agency housed in this building which he built in 1913. Yost Garage housed the Suburban Transportation System, serving Richmond Beach and Seattle. In 1973 the Yost Garage was remodeled into this arcade of shops while still preserving much of the original interior.
Historic Plaque (1995)
"In 1913-1914, Allen M. Yost and his sons brought Edmonds into the automobile era constructing a one-story concrete building for the Yost Auto Company garage. Other Yost enterprises included a stage line, Ford and Buick agencies, bus manufacturing, and a water company. With additions, this became one of Edmonds' most notable buildings, crucial to town activities. In 1973 it became the Old Milltown shopping complex."
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circa 1913 |
July 1999 |
# 14 - Edmonds Opera House (Masonic Temple)
515 Dayton Street
Built on the site of the old Socialist Hall, the Opera House offered public dances, productions of early melodramas, traveling theater productions and served as a bowling alley and motion picture house. It was sold to the Masonic Lodge #165 in 1944.
Historic Plaque (1989)
Site of Opera House (Masonic Hall)
The Edmonds Opera House was built by Allen M. Yost and dedicated on Christmas night 1909. This building was also used at various times as an auditorium, movie house, roller skating rink, basketball court, dance floor, bowling alley and banquet hall. The building was purchased by the Masonic Lodge in 1944 when major improvements were made. Dedication as a Masonic Temple was April 1, 1950.
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circa 1910 |
July 1999 |
# 15 - First Congregational Church (American Legion Hall)
601 Dayton Street
The first organized church in Edmonds, this edifice was built in 1888 and served the congregation until sold to the Frank Freese Post of the American Legion. The steeple was removed, and there is some debate as to whether the building was rotated a quarter turn. The church parsonage at 610 Dayton Street was built in 1902 and is now privately owned.
Historic Plaque (1986)
Site of first church in Edmonds
On this site, 6th and Dayton streets, the Edmonds Congregational Church was built in 1889 under the direction of its first pastor the Rev. O.L. Fowler. Many church members and other citizens contributed to the building of this first church. In succeeding years it was the center for religious as well as social activities. In 1930 the American Legion, Frank Freese Post No. 66, purchased the property and building as it no longer was being used. The building committee comprised E.R. Scott, Rev. W.J. Hindley and George W. Post.
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circa 1905 |
July 1999 |
# 16 - I.O.O.F. Hall (Reliable Floor Covering)
542 Main Street
Built in 1891 for the Independent Order of Oddfellows, the lower floor was used as a community hall. Church members would meet here while their edifices were being built. Political rallies and road shows were held here, and the first motion picture was shown at this site in 1909.
Wahington State Historic Register
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circa 1990 |
July 1999 |
# 17 - Carnegie Library (Edmonds Historical Museum)
118 5th Avenue North
A $5,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie was received in 1910 to build a new library building. It opened in 1911. Of the original 1,681 Carnegie libraries built, only 271 remain intact, of which Edmonds is one. This building is typical of all Carnegie Libraries: entered by a stairway "leading upward to the halls of knowledge." Note the beautiful handset Tiffany glass in the transom and fan shaped window over the main entrance. This building was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1973 and currently houses the Edmonds-South Snohomish County Historical Society collection.
Historic Plaque (2000)
Edmonds Historical Museum
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circa 1911 |
July 1999 |
# 18 - Parmalee House
Puget Drive and 9th Avenue
First platted in 1905, this house was built in 1911 by S.J. White and owned by Captain J.S. McCann. It was later bought by Michael Parmalee and today bears his name. Its style is characteristic of architecture at the turn of the century. The house was placed on the State Historic register in 1974.
Washington State Historic Register
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circa 1990 |
July 1999 |
# 19 - Edmonds Grade School (Frances E. Anderson Cultural and Leisure Center)
700 Main Street
In 1891 the Edmonds grade school was built on this site. Originally a three-story Victorian frame schoolhouse, it served school children until it was replaced by the current concrete structure in 1928. In 1972 the school closed its doors for the last time due to decreasing enrollment in the downtown area. It reopened in 1979 at the Frances Anderson Center, named in honor of long time teacher and principal of the district.
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circa 1891 |
July 1999 |
# 20 - I.O.O.F. Cemetery (Edmonds Memorial Cemetery)
9th Avenue and 15th Street
Founded around 1891 by the I.O.O.F. Lodge #96 in Edmonds, it is probably one of the more historic sites in the city. Many of the early pioneer families can be found here, including Brackett, Yost, and Deiner, as well as veterans from the Civil, Spanish-American, World Wars I and II, and Korean Wars.
Washington State Historic Register
Historic Plaque (1991)
Edmonds Memorial Cemetery
The Edmonds Memorial Cemetery was founded on this site in 1891 by I. O. O. F. Lodge #96 on five acres donated by Thomas White. It is the resting place of many Edmonds pioneers and prominent citizens. Privately owned after 1946, it was willed to the City of Edmonds by Lawrence C. Hubbard in 1982.
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