The Evergreen State

Deception Pass

Deception Pass was named by Captain George Vancouver, one of the first explorers of Washington State.  Originally thinking Whidbey Island was a peninsula, Vancouver realized his mistake and named the strait Deception Pass.  Whidbey Island is named after his partner, Joseph Whidbey, who was there when he made the mistake. 

In 1925, an act of Congress dedicated property from the area (now known as Deception Pass State Park) for public recreational purposes.  Roads, trails, buildings and bridges were added in the 1930s.  Now, Deception Pass State Park covers over 4,000 acres of forests, wildlife, and freshwater beaches.  It is known for its beautiful scenery as well as its historical background. 

Pomeroy Living History Farm

The Pomeroy Living History Farm is an educational museum that depicts farming life in the 1920s.  Positioned in Clark County, it is located in what was once farming country.  As the land around is urbanized, the Pomeroy Living History Farm provides historical experience but also stands as a heritage resource. 

It is a non-profit museum that is run by five staff members and about twenty volunteer workers.  The workers dress in period clothing and help visitors perform typical farm activities.  Although the activities are chosen by age, some examples are grinding grain, feeding and watering the livestock, washing clothes, and making ropes. 

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

In 1987, news of a Canadian gold strike brought settlers across the U.S. to the Pacific Northwest.  Seattle was filled with people on their way north to seek their fortunes.  The hopeful miners purchased food, clothing, and equipment.  Although the gold strike ended a few years later, it boosted Seattle’s reputation as the Queen City of the Pacific Northwest. 

Today the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park stands as a memorial to the gold seekers.  Only a few returned rich.  Many died on the trail, ill-prepared for cold weather.  Others made it to Yukon Territory only to leave a few months later, broke and down-hearted.  The Klondike Gold Rush is remembered as the last great adventure of the 19^th century. 

During the early years of Washington territory, the only public education available was provided through the mission works.  The Whitmans’ mission provided instruction for both Native Americans and the children of the settlers.  Other mission works were designed to civilize the Native Americans by teaching their children how to read and write.  Most of these works were run and paid for by their denomination. 

The first school in Seattle was started in 1854 by Catharine Blaine.  Until November 1861, it was a “tuition” or private school, instead of a state school.  In 1861, the students were sent to the new Territorial University (now known as the University of Washington).  The University closed three times in the next twenty years due to shortage of funds and students. 

Because of the late start Washington had in education, female teachers and students were accepted without question.  In 1864, Asa Mercer recruited fifteen women to increase the supply of teachers and women in the Puget Sound area.  Known as the Mercer Girls, many taught in the territory, even at the University.  Elizabeth Ordway, one of the Mercer Girls, started the first public school in Seattle.  In 1876, Clara McCarty became the first graduate from the University of Washington.  McCarty went on to become a teacher and the first superintendent of the Pierce County schools.

By the time Washington became a state in 1889, the University of Washington was firmly established and other universities had started.  In 1882, Whitman Seminary was changed into the four-year, degree-granting Whitman College.  Washington State University was founded in 1890 and opened in 1892 as the state’s land-grant college. 

Washington has a unique history regarding civil rights and racial discrimination due to the numerous racial groups living there.  From the 1910s through the 1960s, many areas of life in King County were restricted not only from African Americans, but Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans.  Segregation of employment and housing led to segregated schooling.  Schools that primarily or exclusively taught colored children received less funding and less experienced teachers.  The results were lower test scores, lower graduation rates, and graduates who had learned they were inferior and worthless. 

From the late 1950s to the 1960s, civil rights groups tried to persuade a white school board to deal with the racial discrimination in the Seattle Public Schools.  Unsuccessful, they resorted to more dramatic actions: the Seattle School Boycott of 1966.  For two days, students left Seattle’s public schools to attend integrated “freedom schools”.  Around 30% of the participating students were white.  Although the boycott opened the eyes of many white people, the removal of segregated schools took several years to complete.  Now, the Washington State Constitution promises[*] to provide sufficient education without discrimination. 

During the 1700s, Europeans began to explore the Pacific coastline in search of the valuable furs found there.  As Russia claimed parts of Alaska, Spain became concerned that the Russians would build a monopoly on the fur trade.  In 1775, Bruno Heceta led an expedition to explore the northwest coast, search for the Northwest Passage, and claim land for Spain.  Heceta became the first known European to set foot on Washington land.  When others of the sailors went ashore to look for fresh food and water, Indians attacked and killed seven men.  Because of this, the crew set sail, cutting the expedition short. 

The year 1792 brought two explorers to Washington.  The first was a British navigator and explorer by the name of George Vancouver.  Vancouver spent three years exploring the coasts of Washington and Oregon, naming places and making maps of the land.  His trip accomplished two things: it proved there was no Northwest Passage at that latitude, and it gave people written information through his book, A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World. 

The second explorer was Robert Gray.  Gray was an American fur trader from Rhode Island.  In 1788, he traveled along Oregon’s coast, trading with the natives for sea otter pelts.  He returned in 1792.  During this trip, Gray noticed an unusual flow of muddy water coming from the shore and went to investigate, thinking it could be the “Great River of the West.”  He named the river “Columbia” after his ship, the Columbia Rediviva. 

Spain, England, and the United States all had claims in the Pacific Northwest.  Gray’s discovery gave the U.S. a strong claim on the land surrounding the Columbia.  While the Spanish and English fought over other land, the U.S. built trade centers around the Columbia and created a sturdy foundation to their fur trade.  Later on, the U.S. used this hold to gain control of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. 

Choices are being made over what design the Washington State Quarter should have.  Washington’s official quarter is expected to be released by the U.S. Mint in March 2007.  An online public poll was set up so people could vote for their favorite of the remaining designs (displayed below) online.  The idea went backward when robotic computer programs stuffed the online ballot boxes.  (See Seattlepi article: Ballots stuffed in online vote on state quarter design.)  Technicians are reworking the Web site’s computer code, and hope to restore the poll sometime today.

 Design 1

 Design 2

 Design 3

The people of Washington have gained a nationwide reputation for inventive, or slightly eccentric, politics.  From the first election in 1854 to the infamous Rossi/Gregoire race for governor, Washington has suffered from racism, cheating, and an extreme switch from Republican to Democratic majority. 

The first major event in Washington politics dates back to 1853, when a smart-thinking Kentucky congressman tried to avoid confusion.  Washington had just gained its independence from Oregon Territory.  The new territory’s settlers petitioned Congress to name the territory "Columbia" after the river that separates it from Oregon.  Before the bill was passed, Congressman Richard H. Stanton convinced his colleagues to call the territory “Washington” to avoid confusion with the District of Columbia.  For nearly 150 years now, we have been the “other Washington.” 

Washington became a state in 1889.  Under the Enabling Act, it was allowed to form its own constitution and state government.  At that time, the majority of politicians were Republican.  The political division of Senate and House from 1889 was:

Senate: Democrat . . . . . . . 1
Republican . . . . . . 34
House: Democrat . . . . . . . 7
Republican . . . . . . 62
Independent . . . . . 1
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Until 1933, Washington remained a dominantly Republican state.  During the Depression, Roosevelt’s New Deal caused a split between the Democrats and Republicans.  The New Deal was formed to provide direct relief, economic recovery, and financial reform.  While people are still debating if the New Deal was successful in providing the “three Rs”, it provided Washington Democrats the edge needed to get on the state legislature. 

The leading organizations supporting the New Deal were the Washington Commonwealth Federation (WCF) and the Communist Party of Washington State (CP).  The WCF focused on political and economic reform; the CP strived to fulfill Lenin’s pledge[i] by fighting racial injustice.  With the help of the WCF, several CP members were elected to the Seattle City Council and Washington State Legislature.  Again working with the WCF, the CP was able to significantly improve the lives of minorities.

For a decade or so, communists were elected to leadership positions in a handful of left-wing organizations.  Then World War II ended and a national “Red Scare” occurred.  Washington had highly depended on the CP over the past few years.  Washingtonians feared the power of the Communists over them and made some radical changes that deprived communists of their First Amendment rights.  During the 1946 campaign, Republicans made use of the Red Scare, saying Democrats had “sold their soul to the Communist Party.”  In 1947, Republicans gained control in the House and Senate.  On March 8, 1947, Washington State Legislature passed the Un-American Activities bill. 

By 1949, Democrats had regained control of the legislature, though less extreme.  A new generation and the Vietnam War hardened the boundaries between liberals and conservatives, as well as between urban and rural.  Mass beat land, and King County continued to lead liberals to the legislature.  The next thirty years were spent battling over racism, women’s rights, campaign reform, and environmental protection. 

Although the Democrats still hold the lead in Washington politics (and have since 1980), recent events have shown their lead is not unshakeable.  The 2004 race for governor between Dino Rossi (Republican) and Christine Gregoire (Democrat) was the closest in Washington State history and in any governors’ race in the United States.  After two recounts and court battle, Rossi lost by 129 votes to current Governor Gregoire. 

The Rossi/Gregoire race pointed out several deficiencies with the Washington State voting system, and led to heated debate between the different parties.  In the governor’s race, Rossi narrowly led the initial count and a machine recount, but lost in the hand recount requested by the Democrat party.  The Republicans questioned and sued over the number of votes from deceased people and convicted felons included in the election – particularly from King County, known to be strongly democratic.  Superior Court Judge John Bridges rejected the claims saying that while they were significant there was no evidence of fraud or manipulation.  Republicans called Democrats cheaters; Democrats insisted they weren’t. 

Rossi is expected to run for Governor in 2008.  Analysts in both parties agree that a rematch wouldn’t just be a rerun of ‘04.  Former thinking that “pandering to rural voters is a waste of time”[ii] has been abolished.  Democrats realize the weight of King County may not be enough to hold the election and have started campaigning across Lake Washington, hoping to gain more power.  If Rossi runs and wins, he will end the 24-year-hold Democrats have on the governor’s seat.

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[i] “Not even the slightest degree of oppression, or the slightest injustice in respect of a national minority- such are the principles of working class democracy.” 

[ii] From “Better Dead Than Red,” by Dan Savage. It was printed by the Portland Mercury and The Stranger in 2004.

In many Eastern Washington homes, Spanish is spoken more commonly than English. In Pasco, half the residents speak Spanish at home. In King County homes where English is not always spoken, Asian languages are most common. In Bellevue, about one in four people routinely speak a language other than English in the home. About half of those speak an Asian language. 

As Washington developed as a territory and state, Native Americans were central to its history.  Now, place names and historic sites mark their place in history.  Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region, is one of the best known examples. 

Seattle was founded in the 1850s and named after Chief Seattle, a leader of the Suquamish Tribe in the early 1800s. Chief Seattle was known for his courage and leadership by both Native Americans and Europeans.  His interest in European culture gained him a reputation as a friend of the whites.  He formed a personal relationship with “Doc” Maynard, a white settler and advocate of Native American rights. 

In January of 1854, Chief Seattle gave his famous speech in response to a proposed treaty presented by Territorial Governor Isaac I. Stevens asking the Native Americans to trade land for money.  While Chief Seattle agreed to go along with the treaty negotiations, others revolted.  Chief Seattle helped protect the settlers and saved Doc Maynard from an assassination attempt by another Native American.  At the urging of Doc Maynard, the settlers named their city after him. 

Another orator and famous chief from Washington State is Chief Joseph.  Chief Joseph succeeded his father as leader of a Nez Percé band after Joseph the Elder’s death in 1871.  As the number of white settlers in the land increased, Chief Joseph struggled with the federal government for the fair treatment of the Native Americans. 

In 1877, General Oliver Otis Howard threatened military action unless Chief Joseph’s band moved to a reservation in Idaho.  Chief Joseph unwillingly led his people toward Idaho.  While Chief Joseph believed military resistance was futile, twenty young Nez Percé warriors raided nearby settlements and killed several whites.  The army pursued Chief Joseph’s band, attacking them at White Bird Creek.  As a war broke out, he unsuccessfully tried to lead his people to safety in Canada.  40 miles from the Canadian border, U.S. troops cornered his band.  Chief Joseph was never a war chief, but his widely spread surrender speech has immortalized him as a military leader.  He spent the rest of his life fighting for the rights of Native Americans.  

Spokane Garry was another “peace chief” among the Native Americans of Washington State.  Born in the early 1800s, Spokane Garry grew up around white traders and was also taught at the Anglican Mission School in Winnipeg, Canada.  While he realized the danger in the growing numbers of the white men, he was unafraid of them and accepted the Christian teachings.  With the help of his friend Kootenai Pelly, Spokane Garry spread Christianity among the Spokane and Nez Percé tribes. 

As Spokane Garry became older, he received much respect from both his own people and the white settlers in the area.  While he worked for peace between his people and the settlers, he also strived for the fair treatment of his people.  He tried to make a treaty with Governor Stevens for a reservation along the Spokane River.  But the land was too valuable to the white settlers, and each time the U.S. government denied his request. 

In 1888, white men took illegal possession of Spokane Garry’s farm.  The last years of his life were spent homeless and broke.  By 1891, he was too ill to work.  Spokane Garry died the following year, holding his prayer book and Bible.