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Diablo Dam incline railway climbing Sourdough Mountain, 1930. Courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives, 2306.
Children waving to ferry, 1950. Courtesy Museum of History and Industry.
Loggers in the Northwest woods. Courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.

This Week Then

7/10/2025

Early Northwest explorers

News Then, History Now

New Use Found

In the 1860s, Seattle's first municipal cemetery was filled with the city's early deceased, many relocated from informal plots to make room for downtown development. On July 10, 1884, the graveyard -- located on land owned by David Denny -- was rededicated as Seattle's first public park. Its original residents were again reinterred, most to Washelli Cemetery.

Let's Look Around

On July 10, 1910, Stadium Bowl opened in Tacoma, providing sports fans with one of the most majestic views anywhere on Puget Sound. Originally named Tacoma Stadium, the structure was built in a natural gulch next to Tacoma High School. Because of the stadium's commanding presence, the school changed its name to Stadium High in 1913.

A Port on the Sound

On July 13, 1918, the Port of Everett was created by a special election. Local citizens had hoped to acquire a robust World War I shipbuilding industry on their city's waterfront, but the November 11, 1918, Armistice quickly ended their shipbuilding plans. 

Taking Flight

On July 14, 1954, the first attempted hijacking attempt at Sea-Tac Airport was foiled. The next day, a more pleasant event in the annals of aviation history took place when Boeing's Dash-80 prototype of the 707 roared skyward from Boeing Field for the first time. The maiden flight of this plane, which revolutionized air travel, took place on the Boeing Company's 38th birthday.

Home From the Fight

On July 10, 1969, the first American troops to be withdrawn from the Vietnam War arrived in Seattle and were welcomed home with a parade. Afterwards, the soldiers enjoyed a salmon barbecue at Seattle Center and then returned to Fort Lewis to complete processing.

Voters' Delight

Washington cities that celebrate birthdays this week include Kalama, which incorporated on July 16, 1890; Benton City, which incorporated on July 14 1945; Gig Harbor, which incorporated on July 12, 1946; and Richland, which transitioned from federal ownership to being a self-governing city on July 15, 1958.

Today in
Washington History

New On HistoryLink

Image of the Week

On July 14, 1915, the Liberty Bell visited Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma

On July 14, 1915, the Liberty Bell visited Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma en route to the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.

Quote of the Week

"Like Spain, I am bound to the past."

–William S. Burroughs

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