Riverside Neighborhood self-guided history tour
Everett, Washington

For other Riverside streets, click on the Index above, or the Riverside web page.
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Everett Avenue

100 years ago, many businesses set up shop on Everett Avenue. These included the Gem Saloon...

Years ago, there was a median going down the east blocks of Everett Avenue.

East Grand Ave cross street

Riverside Park (1994)

Early in Everett's history there was a bridge here that crossed the Snohomish River to Lake Stevens. It had a dangerous curve over the river, and several cars drove into the river. The bridge was taken down about 1949. Lumber mills were down below. Canyon Lumber, in business for over 100 years, is still located NE of the site. The Burlington Northern Railroad, formerly the Great Northern Railroad, is directly below the park. The Snohomish River and Cascade Mountain Range are east of the site. To the north are 3 large 100 year+ Black Walnut trees planted by the McManus family.

Riverside Park was a weed patch of blackberries behind a guard rail. Mary and Bob Burns walked by this site everyday and felt it would be a good site for a mini-park due to its view and history. They worked with the Parks Department, Planning b and Public works to create a plan and find funding. It was funded with a $30,000 Community Block Grant. Just as development of the park was to begin, Bob fell ill and passed away. The neighborhood stepped in to insure Mary and Bob's vision would become reality. In 1994, site was cleared, concrete poured, and irrigation and benches were installed. The neighborhood choose a name for the park, and the dedication plaque was installed in honor of Mary and Bob Burns.

This park is maintained by neighborhood volunteers on a year round basis providing seasonal color and holiday lighting. Riverside Park is now primarily maintained by Riverside Neighbors with support from Everett Parks and Public Works.

In 2013, Girl Scout troop 42903 built and installed a Free Little Library in the park.

Harrison Ave cross street

Robison Auto Service

New shop, view looking west, late 1950s. photos by Robert P. Robison
New shop, view looking south, 1958. photos by Robert P. Robison

The shingled garage behind the house at 35th and Everett Ave was Robison Auto Service from about 1954 - 1960. Robert and Anne Robison bought the property, a former welding shop building, and doubled the size of it to the south. You can see in the photo the line between the old and new roofing. They ran the business for about 7 years until Robert was hired to teach the Automotive program at Everett Junior College. Note the two signs visible on the south wall, still owned by Paul Robison, and inserted in the photo.

As with any new business, those were very difficult years for the family. Robert worked long hours, often late into the night repairing cars, replacing brakes, changing oil and troubleshooting the automobiles of the 1950s. His favorite cars were Buicks and Oldsmobiles. He had total disdain for Chrysler products. By the time they closed the shop, the business was finally starting to make a profit.

Ralph Kerr and his wife lived in the white house next door. Ralph was a switchman on the Great Northern Railway. My only memory of Ralph is him hobbling around on crutches with a big cast on his leg after a heavy cast iron coupler knuckle came loose and crushed his foot. Eventually Ralph bought the shop and land and used the shop for his fishing rod making business.

3600 (Cleveland Ave) and 3500 (Harrison Ave) Everett Ave blocks

From Mitchell Land Company survey

Summit Ave cross street

Everett Avenue Cash Grocery

Shuh moved into the new building in 1909 or 1910 when it was new. They lived in a little house behind the store, then moved above it later. Elizabeth Shuh Armstrong recalls in "Riverside Remembers" that she worked in the store at six years old. She could barely see over the counter. She recalled the phone number: Black 1078. An earlier phone number started with Red and had just three digits. In 1929, Shuh died, but the TO BE CONTINUED.

Brue Building (March 1892)

Brue Building (Mar 21, 1892). Everett Public Library archives
Children lined up at Brue Building, May 1892. Note the boardwalk sidewalk and street. The school district rented the Brue Building for $50 per month, before the Monroe School was built. Classes started March 28, 1892. Everett Public Library archives

Architect: Frederick Sexton

Another Sexton design, this building is probably the oldest commercial building in Riverside. The Romanesque building originally cost about $5000. It's the oldest tavern location in Riverside; now it's the MEB machine shop. Begun in Dec 1891, it has a brick veneer, and provided space for two stores at street level with seventeen offices upstairs.

Wiped out by I-5

Walnut St cross street

Everett Avenue Grocery (1912)

Built by Amos C. Stauffer, grocer, who lived upstairs with his wife, Hazel G Stauffer. In 1964, a neon sign was installed. R.J. Surprenant owned it in the 1960s.

Maple St cross street

Church of Latter Day Saints (1948)

Dedication of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, May 15, 1965. Jack O'Donnell collection

Pine St cross street

Cedar St cross street

3000-2400 Everett blocks

Everett Ave, north side, between Virginia and Baker Aves. Jack O'Donnell collection id houses

From Riverside Historical Overlay records

Virginia Ave cross street

2300 Everett block

From Riverside Historical Overlay records

McDougall Ave cross street

Historic Everett home page
Historic Everett home page
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