MACHIAS — People can take a stroll back in time during the Centennial Trail History Walk this weekend.
The event goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday* at four main locations along the trail: the Machias trailhead off South Machias Road; the Bryant trailhead on Highway 9 north of Arlington; the Nakashima Barn at the far north end of the trail near the Skagit County line; and in Snohomish at the corner of Pine and Maple streets. The 30-mile Centennial Trail follows old railroad lines running north and south across the county.
Fred Cruger, a volunteer with the Granite Falls Historical Museum, plans to be at the Machias trailhead Sunday with information and artifacts related to the history of railroads in Snohomish County. Gold in the mountains at and around Monte Cristo lured railway developers to the area and the railroads were booming by the early 1900s. Large maps that show railroad routes from that era are set to be on display. One map lays the routes on top of modern aerial photos so people can find where the railroad was in relation to their homes, businesses or schools.
“We realize people are on the trail and they maybe won’t want to stop for long, but I think it will suck a few people in,” Cruger said. “It’s going to be a combination of unusual tools, pictures people have probably never seen and maps on a grandiose scale.”
People can see and touch old railroad equipment like railroad spurs, mauls and picks from the museum, too. There also are photos of the old railway cars and railroad work.
The three other locations on the trail will have different information and displays. A storyteller from the Tulalip Tribes is scheduled to be at one, a woman demonstrating traditional basket weaving at another and the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum will be represented at the third. Specific locations are being finalized.
The Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission is putting on the walk and came up with the idea, said Wendy Becker, the county’s economic and cultural development officer. Public lectures and presentations in the past have been hit and miss in terms of attendance, she said. It makes sense to go where the people are.
The Centennial Trail offers landmarks that mix modern recreation and historic information, she said. Along with the history of railroads and gold mining are traces of small communities that no longer exist and families who made a lasting mark on the county.
The Nakashima Farm site highlights land that was “sold for pennies” after the owners were forced into Japanese internment camps during World War II, Becker said.
The Machias trailhead has a small building that is a replica of the original 1890 railroad depot there. The trailhead in Snohomish can connect people to the city’s expansive historic district.
“This popular asset that we have in Snohomish County is so rich in history,” she said. “Hopefully people will respond to (the walk) and we can make it bigger next year. It would be cool if it could become a big annual event.”
Coordinators plan to have children’s activities along with the speakers, interactive exhibits and historic items. The event is free.
“People can come to the trail specifically to learn about their local history, or if they’re just out getting their exercise they can stop and see,” Becker said.
The Centennial Trail was created by the county in 1989 while Washington was celebrating a century of statehood. The county parks department estimates 520,000 people use the trail each year.
More historical information and trail maps are online at www.centennialtrail.com.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
Correction, Sept. 10, 2015: This article originally included an incorrect day for the event.
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