A Mukilteo monument to the historic 1855 Point Elliott Treaty has been added to the state’s Register of Historic Places.
The Governor’s Council on Historic Preservation made the decision at a hearing Friday in Richland.
The council also is recommending the monument be added to the national register.
The monument was erected in 1931 by the Marcus Whitman chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of the 1855 treaty between Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens, Chief Sealth and 21 other tribal leaders.
The treaty guaranteed perpetual fishing rights, among other things, to tribes in the northern part of Puget Sound.
In return, they gave up their claim to land. The monument is located at what is now the Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo.
State Architectural Historian Michael Houser said the council’s recommendation will go to the state historic preservation officer, who forwards it to the National Parks Service in Washington, D.C.
"It is unusual for a marker to be considered for national listing, it’s more often a building or structure," Houser said. "They will probably look at it more closely than average to make sure it qualifies."
Both designations are honorary and come with no design requirements or protection against demolition.
"The idea is to raise public awareness" of the monument, Houser said.
State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks said it usually takes 45 to 60 days for the National Parks Service to make its determination.
Reporter Pam Brice: 425-339-3439 or pbrice@heraldnet.com.
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