Federal landmarks: historical, recreational, monumental

It’s well known that naturally blessed Washington has three national parks: Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades. We reviewed those Sept. 30. The state also has many other federally preserved sites of interest — historical, recreational and monumental. Here’s an overview of some of those lesser-known, special places.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

612 E. Reserve St., Vancouver, Wash.

Fort Vancouver was the administrative headquarters and main supply depot for the Hudson’s Bay Co.’s fur-trading operations in the 1830s and 1840s and was the center of political, cultural and commercial activities in the Pacific Northwest. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/fova

Hanford Reach National Monument

Along the Columbia River between Ellensburg and Richland

The monument is named for the last non-tidal, free-flowing section of the Columbia River in the U.S. and is one of only two national monuments administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

www.fws.gov/hanfordreach

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

319 Second Ave. S., Seattle

This storefront museum preserves the story of the rush to the Yukon gold fields in the 1890s and Seattle’s crucial role. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/klse

Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

Stehekin Valley, between the north end of Lake Chelan and North Cascades National Park

Boating, fishing, and lakeshore camping are available in this remote area, which is part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex of North Cascades National Park and the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/lake-chelan-national-recreation-area

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Upriver on the Columbia from Grand Coulee Dam in Eastern Washington

A 130-mile lake was created with completion of Grand Coulee Dam in 1941. The recreation area provides opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, canoeing, hunting and visiting historic Fort Spokane and St. Paul’s Mission. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/laro

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

Sites along the Pacific Coast from Long Beach, Wash., to Cannon Beach, Ore.

The park encompasses historic sites related to the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-06. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/lewi

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mount St. Helens, southwest Washington

A 110,000-acre monument was created in 1982 for education, recreation and research following the volcano’s eruption in 1980. Administered by the U.S. Forest Service.

www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens

Nez Perce National Historical Park

Spalding Visitor Center, 11 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho, on U.S. 95

A collection of sites of interest in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana related to the history of the Nez Perce American Indian tribe. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/nepe

Nidoto Nai Yoni Memorial National Historic Site

The site of the former Eagledale ferry dock on Bainbridge Island, at the foot of Taylor Street

The site commemorates an event of March 30, 1942, during World War II, when 227 Japanese Americans were put on ferries to Seattle and sent to internment camps. Administered by the National Park Service and connected to Minidoka Internment National Historic Site in Idaho.

www.nps.gov/miin/historyculture/nidoto-nai-yoni-memorial.htm

Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Adjoins North Cascades National Park and Lake Chelan National National Recreation Area

Boating, fishing and camping are available. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/ross-lake-national-recreation-area

San Juan Island National Historical Park

Friday Harbor

The park is made up of the sites of the British and U.S. armies’ camps during the Pig War. The camps were set up in 1859 in response to a border dispute triggered by the killing of a pig. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/sajh

Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Just west of Walla Walla

On Nov. 29, 1847, the family of Dr. Marcus Whitman and others were slain by Indians of the Cayuse tribe after a deadly measles outbreak. The site marks the role the Protestant mission played in white settlement and the demise of native civilization. Administered by the National Park Service.

www.nps.gov/whmi

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.