8th Street District

Everett designated the eastern block of 8th St a historical district in 1994. Weyerhauser built these houses for their millworkers in 1916.

Wiggums Hollow Park

A park started here in 1960, perhaps informally. A park was proposed here as early as August 11, 1972 per the Everett Herald. The Herald reported on April 3, 2002 that the area was saved from development. The informal park became an official city park. Per the Herald: "Wiggums Hollow Park was named in honor of Arnold Wiggum, a former principal of Everett's Hawthorne Elementary School. His sister, the late Margaret Wiggum Groening, was the mother of Matt Groening, creator of "The Simpsons" -- and the inspiration for blue-haired Marge."

The labyrinth is modeled after the one in Chartres Cathedral, France. It's about a quarter mile walk to do the whole path. Labyrinths have a 4,000 year old history. This one was installed in June, 2002, landscape architect Hal Gausman of Everett Parks.

Fire Station No. 2

Henry M. Jackson Park

Originally called Riverdale Park, the land was sold by the Everett Improvement Co. to the city in March 1917 for $10,000. Six-year old Charles Dana True won the contest to name the park. By 1924 work had begun on improvements and it became a tourist camp for the next four years. The Works Progress Administration built the baseball diamond in 1938-40. In the late 1970s, restrooms, playground and two softball fields were added.

It was renamed in 1992 for Senator Henry M. Jackson, presidential candidate and Everett's favorite son.

18th St Bridge (1917-1923)

The bridge didn't last long

The December 12, 1916 Herald reported that work had started on the Eighteenth St bridge over the Snohomish River. It was envisioned to be a shorter route to Marysville than using the Everett Ave bridge via present-day Sunnyside Blvd east of the big river delta. By January 1917, there were seven bids for the draw span, and the next month the electric company applied for the right to run electric lines across it. Everett Shipbuilding planned a shipyard across the river. It began use as reported on November 22, 1917.

But a month later, logs broke loose from the Walton mill in Lowell. They jammed at the bridge and threatened to demolish it. The October 25, 1918 Labor Journal wrote the bridge was out of plumb. On February 4, 1919, repairs were ordered.

Tragically, the July 12, 1919 Herald reported that five year old Olga Olson fell off the open drawbridge, fracturing both legs. Mr. and Mrs. James Olson sued the county, eventually settling for $8000.

The front page of the December 14, 1921 Herald had the headline "Eighteenth Street Bridge Is Believed Doomed". During the flood, the pier settled and it looked like the bridge would collapse. And in 1923 the bridge was removed.

We've not seen any photos of this bridge, but it appears on some railroad maps.

Hawthorne Elementary School (1952)

Architect: Harold W. Hall. Builder: Newland Construction Co.

Named for novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-64), this $360,000 school replaced the Baker Heights Elementary School. First principal was Dorothea Carr. Additions in 1964 and the 1990s increased its size.

Baker Heights Elementary School (1943-52)

This school was opened during war time in the federal housing project. The "temporary" wooden structures lasted until about 2020 though. Teaching was a challenge with fathers gone and mothers alone with their children. Each room was heated by a single coal stove, and the bathrooms were chilly.

Snohomish River Bridge (1927)

The railroad bridge across the Snohomish river Delta was built early, but roads to Marysville involved crossing the Everett Ave bridge, then wrapping around Sunnyside to Marysville. A new route was intended as a short cut north, and labeled as state route 1 in 1923, then US Route 99 by 1926. (In 1971 this was labeled state route 529).

With several bridges across the delta finished, the road opened on August 23, 1927 (see Herald that day), considerably shortening the distance between the two cities. Sam Hill, the road pioneer (and son-in-law of James J. Hill, of the Great Northern Railroad), spoke at the opening ceremony, along with Governor Roland Hartley, Everett Mayor J.H. Smith and Marysville Mayor Alex Lark. The bridge has a vertical lift-draw section.

By 1950, the bridge was one of the worst bottlenecks in the state. The southbound bridge was added. By 1960s there was again a big bottleneck, and I-5 helped that considerably (for some years anyway).

Ray's Drive-in (1962)

Ray and Ruby Campbell bought a house at this site, and tore it down to build this restaurant. They opened their drive-in in April, 1962. The usual burger, fries and shake was 80 cents. In 1975, their daughter Debbie took over while Ray and Ruby enjoyed living in Arizona. Later, grandsons Jeff and scott Doleshel managed the business. Ray passed away the day after Christmas, 2014, Ruby five years previously. Remodeled in 2020. See also Herald article.

Safeway (1955-71, 1971)

New building plans, July 22, 1970. Everett Herald

Donovan Lane homes

These homes are some of about 160 homes that Developer Edward Donovan and his partner R.C. Allen built in Everett during the 1920s, about half of which were located on Lombard, Oakes and Rockefeller between 13th and 15th. They were saved, thanks to Steve Hager, and moved to Donovan Lane in 2006 to allow expansion of Providence Hospital. See the Herald article for more on the story.

• 1205 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1333 Rockefeller Ave.
• 1210 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1334 Oakes Ave.
• 1211 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1321 Rockefeller Ave.
• 1217 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1317 Rockefeller Ave.
• 1220 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1310 Oakes Ave.
• 1223 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1306 Oakes Ave.
• 1224 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1301 Rockefeller Ave.
• 1228 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1316 Oakes Ave.
• 1229 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1318 Oakes Ave.
• 1231 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1305 Rockefeller Ave.
• 1232 Donovan Lane: House moved from 1328 Oakes Ave.

Smelter site

A 1910 postcard, sent to Burlington. Steve Fox collection

A 1914 postcard, sent to Coupeville. Steve Fox collection

Smelter. Jack O'Donnell collection

A smelter was constructed in 1892 to process ore from the Monte Cristo area mines and other local mines. By May, 1892 work had started in the city promoted as the "City of Smokestacks". For a few years, gold and silver ores were roasted, driving off the contaminants of arsenic and sulphur.

The Guggenheims, who had made millions making clothing, bought up numerous smelters throughout the world. Their smelter trust eventually became the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO). They bought this smelter and much of the Monte Cristo mines and railroad in 1903. Unfortunately the railroad was greatly damaged by floods and little was processed until 1907. During that time, ores from South America, Australia, and New Zealand were processed. Since they had another smelter in Tacoma, they closed the Everett smelter in 1910.

In later decades, the danger of the smelter site became better understood. A huge cleanup happened in the early 21st century. See Herald article, one of many stories about this project.

Smelter School

In 1892, the Barge Works School was built for $800 by W. J. Miller. About 8 years later it was moved to this location and was known as the Smelter School. Now apartments with a south-side addition, it still stands.

Fosheim house

This area was just above the Everett Smelter, which operated in the late 19th century. Due to arsenic, the area was condemmed, cleaned up, and rebuilt. These photos show life in the mid-1950s.