Designated historic sites in Snohomish County

The Green Mountain fire lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is on the National Register of Historic Places. But its very existence is seen by some as a violation of the Wilderness Act. The legal tussle over the structure’s fate begs clarification. There are more than 80,000 such properties nationwide and dozens in Snohomish County. Are they protected from development, modification or demolition? No, it turns out.

The list

Since 1966, the National Register of Historic Places Program under the National Park Service has aimed “to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.” There’s a lengthy process to add a place or building to the list, and listed status brings certain tax and funding advantages.

But listed status doesn’t protect property from development or even demolition. Says the Park Service website: “National Register listing places no obligations on private property owners. There are no restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of private property.”

Click here to see a photo gallery of some of the historic places.

Designated historic places mapped

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