Snohomish relives its 1950s downtown

SNOHOMISH – When you think downtown Snohomish, you think antiques.

But that doesn’t mean its always been that way. Half a century ago, downtown had a different character.

A variety of small businesses – a sporting goods store, a hardware shop and an electronic appliances store – dominated First Street in the 1950s, said Ernie Pinkham, a longtime resident.

“They all disappeared,” Pinkham said. “Now they are all antiques shops.”

But the business district of that era will be resurrected for a moment Tuesday, thanks to a slide show Pinkham will present at the Waltz Building as part of the Snohomish Historical Society’s monthly gathering.

The presentation will provide the perspective of running a business in town in the 1950s. Pinkham will be available to answer questions, and anyone is invited to bring their own tales.

Pinkham, 85, has owned a home furnishing and interior design business in town since the late 1950s. He took pictures of the old buildings before they were renovated, torn down or burned down.

“I started it sort of as a hobby,” he said.

Many people in town are familiar only with the current downtown, said Kathy Prince, a historical society board member.

“It will be nice for them to know the kind of vibrant and varied business community that existed on First Street,” she said.

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