🌟 Discover Snoqualmie Falls: Washington's Hidden Gem! 🌟
City of Snoqualmie www.snoqualmiewa.gov/378/Snoq...
Snoqualmie Casino www.snocasino.com
twede's Cafe www.twedescafe.com
In this video, we're taking you on an unforgettable journey to Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington state's most breathtaking hidden gems. Located just 20 minutes from Seattle, off I-90 Exit 25, this majestic waterfall in the Cascade Mountains is a sight to behold. From its towering evergreens and delicate ferns to its rich history and cultural significance, Snoqualmie Falls offers something for everyone.
A Brief History of Snoqualmie Falls:
Thousands of years ago, as the glaciers receded, they left behind a fertile plain near Snoqualmie Falls. The Native Americans, upon arrival, found an abundance of edible bulbs, roots, and berries. The area was also rich in wildlife, with deer and mountain goats in plenty.
Although there were no salmon above the falls, the upper Snoqualmie River became a seasonal meeting place as trade among native peoples flourished. The Snoqualmie Tribe, a subgroup of the Coast Salish, established camps at the base of Mount Si and villages at Fall City and Tolt (now Carnation).
The name "Snoqualmie" is the English pronunciation of "sah-KOH-koh" or "Sdob-dwahibbluh," a Salish word meaning moon. This spiritual place gave birth to many legends, including one about "S'Beow" (the beaver) who brought trees and fire from the sky to earth. The Native Americans who roamed the valley were known as the people of the moon.
By the early 1850s, white settlers began arriving in the valley. Long before the falls became a tourist destination, pioneer women would venture close to the edge, with friends holding on to their dresses for safety. Jeremiah Borst was the first permanent white settler in the Snoqualmie Valley, earning the title "the father of the Snoqualmie Valley."
In 1862, Josiah Merrit ("Uncle Si") built a cabin at the base of a local peak, which later became known as Mount Si. He cultivated vegetables, raised hogs, and maintained an orchard. According to local historians, he was a rugged man who sometimes hauled bacon to large settlements, requiring a strenuous journey involving sleds, canoes, and hiking down the 268-foot falls.
By 1877, several logging operations were established in the region. Logs were floated over the falls and down the river to Everett and Puget Sound. In 1889, the construction of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad opened up timber resources to the world market.
Charles Baker, a civil engineer, platted the town of Snoqualmie in 1889 and constructed an underground power plant at the falls in the 1890s. Remarkably, the original generators are still functioning today. The power plant provided electricity and jobs, leading to the establishment of a small company town at the falls. In 1911, a second powerhouse was constructed.
Snoqualmie Falls has also attracted daredevils. When the first passenger train arrived in 1889, over 1,000 people gathered for the event. Mr. Blondin successfully walked a tightrope over the falls. However, in 1890, Charlie Anderson was less fortunate. He parachuted from a hot-air balloon into the canyon, but strong air currents pushed him towards the falls, and he tragically died after being dropped onto a large boulder.
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