The city of Everett began as a few homesteads in the 1850s. In 1890, plans to establish Everett as a city were drawn up, with the idea it would become “the Pittsburgh of the West” when the railroad was completed and Everett became the terminus. The railroad was completed, and Everett was a stop, but the terminus ended up being Seattle. This may have slowed the growth but it didn’t stop it. The economy was dominated by lumber and wood product businesses, and was connected by water and rail. By the 1920’s the population of Everett was 25,000. Now it’s one of the biggest cities in the state.
The city has several self guided walking tours. We did the “short tour” in downtown, which highlights eight important places in Everett’s history, (half of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places).
The Weyerhaeuser building was constructed in 1923. The gothic style, 6,000 square foot, 320 ton building was created to showcase local wood species like fir and cedar. It was built as an office for the city’s then largest employer, Weyerhaeuser Timber Company. The building was the office for two of the company’s mills, moved a total of three times around the city before finding its final home in Boxcar Park, with views of the west coast’s largest public marina.
We have never been but based just on the architecture, next time we’ll stop there. Fun to see Raya, too. You are having THE adventure.
It is such an easy stop when passing through. Parking is free too. Try Skuttlebutt Brewery restaurant. Great beer and food!