The free online encyclopedia of Washington state history

8489 HistoryLink.org articles now available.

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

5/15/2025

Seattle Aquarium

News Then, History Now

Sailing On In

On May 16, 1864, a ship carrying 11 young women arrived in Seattle from New England under the escort of Asa Shinn Mercer. This first of two contingents of Mercer Girls had an instant impact on Seattle's mostly male frontier culture and included the town's first public school teacher. It would later inspire the TV series Here Come the Brides. And Asa Mercer is remembered these days too, appropriately enough, with a Seattle middle school named in his honor.

Saving the Gin

On May 20, 1885, much of Whatcom's business district was destroyed by fire but local tipplers were able to save most of the town's liquor supply. And on May 20, 1958, a massive fire destroyed the Seattle Cedar Manufacturing plant in Ballard and updrafts carried large pieces of burning lumber as far as two miles away.

Cities Begin

On May 17, 1890, Shelton incorporated in Mason County. Three days later, Blaine incorporated in Whatcom County, and on the next day, Hoquiam incorporated in Grays Harbor County. Other cities celebrating birthdays this week include Anacortes, which incorporated on May 19, 1891, and Arlington, which incorporated on May 20, 1903.

Regents Decide

On May 17, 1907, the University Of Washington Board Of Regents approved John C. Olmsted's plan for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Six years after the fair ended, the board expanded on Olmsted's layout and approved a campus plan that was adopted on May 18, 1915.

Singing Outside

On May 18, 1952, Paul Robeson performed at an outdoor concert for more than 25,000 people at Peace Arch Park in Blaine. His passport had been confiscated due to his political views, which prevented his entry into Canada. Two days later, he was almost barred from speaking and performing in Seattle, but overcame cold-war hysteria to make his voice heard.

Transit Denied

On May 19, 1970, King County voters rejected four Forward Thrust bond issues, including one that would fund a regional rail transit system. This was the second time in two years that rapid transit lost in the polls, but cost-conscious voters were apparently more concerned with the economic downturn caused by the "Boeing Bust"

Today in
Washington History

New On HistoryLink

Image of the Week

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort

On May 15, 1912, near the Olympic Mountains, the first visitors to the Sol Duc Hot Springs resort enjoyed soothing warm waters in a sylvan setting.

Quote of the Week

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."
--Jacques Cousteau

Major Funding Provided By

Education Partners