Washington Territory

by Robert E. Ficken

Book Overview

Established in 1853, Washington remained a territory for 36 years, until admitted into the Union in 1889. Only three other territories created in the American West after 1850 languished longer in dependent status. Because of a dividing geographical barrier (the Cascade Range) and the lack of adequate internal transportation and communication systems, Washington Territory made no practical sense as a political and economic entity. Western Washington...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874222494
• ISBN13: 9780874222494
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Washington State University Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent - must read for Washington State residents

I'm surprised that such an excellent book has no reviews here. As a long-time resident of Washington State, I found this book absolutely riveting, and I recommend it highly to anyone interested in the state. He goes into great detail, and provides a deluge of interesting quotes and anecdotes, but far from being dry as such densely packed information often is, it is a very engaging read. I would recommend this even for someone who usually finds history boring. After reading this book I have a general grasp of the broad sweep of our state's history up to statehood. I'm now reading the author's book on the first 10 years of Washington's statehood. It was also interesting to learn how thoroughly corrupt politics was back then, which provides a useful perspective on our own relatively tame times. It was interesting to learn how power and influence ebbed and flowed from one region to another. Here are a few teasers: You'll learn why Olympia is the capital, why Yakima was widely expected to become the capital at statehood, why the capital remained Olympia, and what Ellensburg has to do with that outcome. You'll learn that the virtual Civil War between liberal Western WA and Conservative Eastern WA, far from being a recent development, was there virtually from the start. Although the author doesn't mention it directly, you'll learn how ironic it would be if many in Eastern WA got their way and became their own state named "Lincoln". You'll learn why the first railroad across the Cascades did NOT go through the mountain pass that everyone knew was the best one for a railroad. You'll learn how Oregon power-shakers cleverly prevented Washington Territory from becoming a state for decades, lining their pockets in the process. When Washington finally won that battle, Washington's economy boomed dramatically. You'll learn which Eastern WA city was once larger than any other city in the territory, including any in the Puget Sound. Hint: it wasn't Spokane or Yakima. You'll learn how Spokane and Yakima got late starts compared to other Eastern WA cities. You'll learn exactly how and why Yakima moved 3 miles North to become North Yakima, later renaming the original Yakima to Union Gap and renaming North Yakima to Yakima. All buildings were moved, including a hotel which was moved while patrons slept and ate. You'll learn how Walla Walla, once the big kahuna of the state, lost much of its influence and relative size. If you are at all interested in the state, I can't recommend this book too highly. It's a must read.