The Highlands
By Curt Cunningham

In 1844, John R. Jackson, took a claim 9 miles north of the Cowlitz Landing on a high plain that is located between the Cowlitz and Newaukum valleys. Jackson’s place would become known as the Highlands and his cabin was the first stopping place for weary travelers going north on the Cowlitz Trail to Puget Sound. In 1850, his cabin became the first courthouse in Washington Territory.

The Highlands is about midway between Olympia and Portland and was a popular resting place and the social and civic hub of the area. The cabin has been used as a post office, grocery store, hotel and tavern. Practically every traveler who used the Cowlitz Trail had either stopped for the night or rested for a short time there. Some of the notables included Ulysses S. Grant and Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens.

John R. Jackson was born in the parish of Steindrop, county of Durham, England, on January 13, 1800. On September, 27 1823, he arrived in New York and shortly afterwards he went to Illinois, where he made his first settlement, on November 5, 1833. In May of 1844, he started out for Oregon, and arrived on November 5th, which happened to be the anniversary of his settlement back in Illinois.

During the winter he remained in Oregon where he heard of the magnificent waterpower located at the mouth of the "Chutes" river (Deschutes) and he had to see it for himself. In March of 1845, Jackson made the trip north and arrived at the home of Simon Plomondon on the Jolly Prairie. Plomondon accompanied Jackson as far north as the Newaukum River. After Plomondon started back for his home, Jackson continued north and followed the Chehalis River. After he made an examination of the country, he decided to make a claim on a high prairie 10 miles north of the Cowlitz Farm. In 1848, Jackson would marry Matilda (Glover) Koontz.

Matilda Glover was born on January 29, 1811 in Port Tobacco, Maryland to John and Matilda Glover. In 1837 Matilda married Nicholas Koontz in Missouri and together they had 4 sons. In 1847, Matilda and her Husband Nicholas, packed up their belonging and with their children started out for Oregon. Tragedy struck when Nicholas drowned while crossing the Snake River. After a heart breaking and harrowing journey across the continent, Matilda, who now was pregnant and a widow, reached Oregon City with her sons in the fall of 1847. While in Oregon City, Matilda met John and they married in 1848. The new Jackson family then headed north to the Highlands.

Jackson was a butcher who served as sheriff, assessor, tax collector, territorial representative, and justice of the peace. It was at the Jackson cabin, that settlers met in 1852 to propose the separation from Oregon and create Washington Territory on north side of the Columbia River. Jackson would pass away on May 5, 1873.

In June of 1852, Joe White arrived in Oregon City and then traveled with his family northward up the Cowlitz River to find their home. He wrote in his memoirs; "The Indians understood handling the unwieldy boat in the swift water to perfection. The second day on the Cowlitz we arrived at the landing and were met there by the three brothers with the cattle. The wagons were unloaded from the boat, put together and reloaded and we moved on to John R. Jackson's farm, where we were welcomed as though we were relatives newly arrived." 

"Mr. Jackson had a well equipped farm, with plenty of all kinds of farm products and stock. We occupied the first cabin Mr. Jackson had built some years before, as he had built a more pretentious cabin, which was afterward christened as the first courthouse in the Territory of Washington."

The District Court

On October 5, 1852, the County Commissioners of Lewis county began to prepare for holding the next term of the District Court at the residence of John R. Jackson. Before this first session of court convened, it was suggested that since it is very difficult to have delegates from across the region meet, and since these leaders will be attending court at Jackson's, that they utilize this gathering to discuss the division of the territory. 

About that Convention
Olympia Columbian
October 23, 1852

Inasmuch as there will be quite a number of the most active and influential citizens of northern Oregon assembled at the residence of John R. Jackson to attend the sitting of the court on Monday next, in Lewis county, we would suggest whether that would not be a proper time and place to take some preliminary steps with regard to our "dissolution of partnership" with the territory south of the Columbia? If we are to have a division, the sooner that steps are taken for its attainment the better, and unless the matter receives an "agitation" from some primary assemblage, how are our citizens ever going to know what their duty is in the premises, with regard to procuring it? 

We would suggest that the assembly at the house of Mr. Jackson, appoint a committee with the power to assemble a meeting in each precinct in northern Oregon, for the purpose of appointing delegates to a general convention, asking for a separate territorial government before the meeting of our next congress and legislature.

If a separation is necessary, our citizens know it, and will vote accordingly; if it is not, that decision will be equally important. At all events let us have an expression of opinion on the subject and have the matter decided in time for its transmission through our legislative to congress, provided that decision is favorable to a separation. Knowing the just and unalterable decision of our citizens in advance upon this subject, it would be a gross dereliction of our duty not to give utterance to it.

On October 26, 1852, The district court for southern Oregon, was held at the residence of John R. Jackson, and adjourned on the 28th, after a session of 3 days, during which time very little business was brought forward or disposed of. We trust the legislature will permit the citizens of Thurston county to attend the spring term of the court some place within the limits of their own country.

The Highlands Convention

What Northern Oregon Wants
The Olympia Columbian
October 16, 1852

Well, what does she want? What will she need? What will she require? She wants the assembling of a convention at some suitable point within the Territory as early as practible, to take the necessary steps towards the creation of a new territory, north of the Columbia. She wants as many families of this year's emigration as can, to join our settlements this fall. She wants steamers on the Sound, steam mills, and all other kinds of machinery established throughout the Territory, a distinct understanding among the people, where the route across the Cascade mountains is to be located, and the preliminary measures relative to all these subjects arranged satisfactory to all, and as soon as possible. 

These being measures, mostly, in which people of northern Oregon are alone interested it does not become them to procrastinate; and when her citizens shall have witnessed the successful consummation of these things. She will then need appropriations for the construction and repair of roads, the establishment and support of common schools, attention from our heretofore neglectful mother country, for the means of erecting lighthouses and a dry dock, the establishment of mail routes and post offices, the erection of a university, and immediate other objects, many of those enumerated being now seriously a matter of need, which does and will imperatively require.

Northern Oregon, has not heretofore, nor need she expect, so long as her territory is incorporated with that south of the Columbia, the affection from either our federal officers or the legislature. WE must become our own masters, and control the affairs pertaining to our own destiny. So long as we are content to sit at the "second table" of political preferment, so long will we be permitted to go "through the motions" of our illustrious predecessors, while at the feast, without a crumb having been left us by them, whereby to relieve our wants or our necessities.

Citizens of Oregon! It behooves you to bestir yourselves and proclaim your independence of the territorial authority exerted over you by the Willamette valley. Call meetings in your several precincts; memorialize congress to set us off; exhibit our grievances both in omission and commission under which we have suffered from all departments of government, and that body will be compelled to regard your prayer.

The Columbian responds to the Oregonian chastisement of the proposed division.

The Olympia Columbian
October 16, 1852

The last Oregonian, speaking of an article which appeared in the second number of the Columbian, says; "They talk about compelling powers that be" to respect their rights, with as much poise as they are want to "compel" their stomachs to be satisfied with dried salmon for dinner." The "powers that be" will shortly be petitioned with an object of having northern Oregon set off as a separate territory; and should such just prayer be denied to our citizens by the "powers that be," then "we shall see what we shall see." 

"Our table" considered itself "some pumpkins," and our "stomachs" laugh at the ridiculous idea of "dried salmon for dinner!" The Oregonian then goes on to say; "Going to have a legislature of your own," are you! Wonder if the "able representative" will "go it" on his "own book" and assemble himself in "some vast wilderness" of clam shells and legislate for the protection of crawfish, mussels and Lilliputian oysters."

To the first inquiry we would reply, "yes" we are going to have a "legislature of our own," and to the second we would observe that the representative of Thurston county has forgotten more than some "able representatives," "men of few words" ever knew, and is perfectly "able" to "go it" on his "own hook" either as a "representative" or otherwise. Whenever our representative may feel like turning his attention to "legislate for the protection of crawfish," he will find a glorious constituency in the Willamette valley.

The Olympia Columbian
Saturday, October 23, 1852

Northern Oregon Abuses etc.

"What particular rights of the people of northern Oregon have been invaded by "the powers that be" or anybody else! - Portland Oregonian

"There are no persons so blind as those who can, and will not see. The question asked may find an answer in a dozen forms. Who are the "powers that be?" We may be told, and very correctly too, that they are the legislature, executive and judicial, and as that inquiry may be followed with, "how have they invaded northern Oregon?" We will proceed to illustrate;

We have been educated in the belief that there are sins of omission as well as commission, but before proceeding to the consideration of the numerous abuses which surround our territory, it is proper to observe that the article from which the above is an extract did not complain about and invasion of the rights of the people of northern Oregon, either by "powers that be" or by anybody else. We spoke about having our rights respected, and shall be very apt to have "one eye open" to that object.

Neither time or room would answer our purpose in one article, to set forth all the grievances which northern Oregon has been compelled quietly to submit to. A few of the most prominent will serve our present purpose. And first as to commission. Congress, in its extreme impartiality and good judgment, has thought proper to donate one township of land north of the Columbia river, for the purpose of establishing a university, (according to the legislative assembly) at Marysville, 100 miles from the nearest settlement on this side of our southern boundary! 

How truly magnanimous in this congressional and legislative act, to the youth and rising generation of this new territory! How thankful ought the heads of families be to the legislative departments of government for their kind consideration of northern Oregon, in giving a neighboring territory a township of land for educational purposes, and then placing the institution of learning entirely out of the reach of its citizens! 

Cool and calculating, most certainly, is our Oregon land law, in this particular, at least. If this is not a direct invasion of our rights, the Oregonian can probably explain it away. We want all the lands which the benevolence of congress may deem proper to appropriate within our limits expended to our own advantage. We want a university, and common schools established; and after the next year's immigration shall have arrived and located, we shall need the 16th and 36th sections, and every odd township, that congress may have to give away, for our territorial uses.

Another, and very prominent matter of wonton neglect or "invasion" may be found in the decision of Lewis, and the formation of Thurston county. Where are our present seats of justice, our courts to administer on the requisitions of law?

Echo might answer, where? Although this portion of the citizens of Lewis county may have petitioned the "powers that be" to create a new county out of Lewis, is it natural to suppose that they wished to be deprived of any rights of which they were formally in possession of? How is it about Thurston county, and how has the legislature acted in reference to its present position before the judiciary, on the application of last winter's memorials?

By an act passed during last winter's session, dividing Lewis county, Thurston was set off and created a new county, in a most humiliating bungling manner without attaching it to any judicial district whatsoever, and without making provision for the administration of justice within our limits! No court has any jurisdiction over us, and we are left entirely without the pale of civil law. This slight "invasion" of our rights has caused the administration of law to be gloriously uncertain, it has caused confusion among the county officers of Lewis and Thurston counties, so as in many instances, to produce a failure of justice, and it has caused some division and animosity among our citizens. There is a long arrear of abuses on the omission side of the picture, which will be rubbed out after this - probably. 

Our legislative assembly has appropriated every dollar donated to the entire territory of Oregon by congress, to be expended in the erection of public buildings south of the Columbia, probably not wishing to make an "invasion" of our territory, with any such obstructions, but without consulting the wishes of our people, or interest of the citizens thereof. Capitol, penitentiary and university, all located in the dear little Willamette valley. How very considerable! "Merciful, if mercy would but fill their purses. 

Just, if justice would but turn to gold!

Our whole territory is alive with Indians, who keep up a most provoking and unceasing broil about the lands which they say the "Boston's" are holding without a proper and legitimate right and title to the same. How is this? We believe we have a superintendent of Indian affairs, whose business it is to inquire into the redress as their necessities or situation may require; but it would seem to be our misfortune to be deprived of this participation in Indian affairs in this part of the territory, in any shape or manner; local affairs, no doubt, being by far the most important consideration with that functionary.

How is it that we are entitled to 4 representatives in the legislative assembly, and allowed only 2? That the services of the Surveyor General must be monopolized exclusively by the people of the Willamette valley? That petitions have Been presented to congress asking for the sale of our public lands, and apply a portion of the proceeds to the improvement of the Willamette river, without even the mention of northern Oregon? 

When these questions shall have been satisfactorily answered, our people may conclude, that they had no rights of their own to be "invaded" or interests worth looking after or deserving of consideration by the "powers that be." There is one thing as inevitable as that of day following night in reference to this territory, and which not all the application of legislative wrong, or federal official neglect can successful thwart our people in the consummation of by any kind of an "invasion;" and that is, A LEGAL DIVORCE FROM THE SOUTH, the formation of a new territory north of the Columbia, with full power to legislate for ourselves, and be entitled to all the rights and privileges which such separation may guarantee, as allowed to the territories in general.

Prepare Prepare!
The Olympia Columbian
Saturday, November 6, 1852

The citizens of northern Oregon at a meeting held at the residence of John R. Jackson, on October 27, 1852, passed the following resolutions unanimously;

Resolved; That every precinct and settlement in northern Oregon, be earnestly requested to appoint and send delegates to a general convention to be held at Monticello, on the last Thursday of November for the purpose of memorializing Congress for an early division of the territory, so that the Columbia river may be the southern and eastern boundary of the new territory.

Resolved; That a written appointment signed by the chairman and secretary of each meeting shall be deemed conclusive evidence, that the person presenting and named herein, is a regularly appointed delegate to the proposed assembly. The above assemblage was composed of persons from the different, and almost extreme points of our settlements, and the place designated their choice by a unanimous vote. Such being their good pleasure, let us not be backward in giving a hearty response to their recommendation.

We verily believe that there are not half a dozen intelligent citizens between Whidbey's island and the Cowlitz river, who does not only see the propriety and necessity of a separate territorial government, but who are not also, strongly, even enthusiastically in favor of a speedy accomplishment of that object. In the , at least, we can claim unanimity among the people on the Sound, which neither time, place or circumstanced should, and we feel confident will not deter them from engaging, heart and soul towards its consummation.

With regard to the residents on the Columbia river, back to the Cowlitz, we cannot speak so positively as to their ardent desire for separation. living, as they do, on the boundary line between the two divisions of Oregon in contrast intercourse with the northern portion, with whose citizens they transact a large proportion of their business, it is but natural to suppose that their sympathies are pretty equally divided between the north and the south; and although they might yield a ready and willing acquiescence in the necessity which peremptorily demands a dissolution of our territorial ties, with a perfect willingness to be included within the limits of a new jurisdiction, yet is is necessary to conceal the fact, that this portion of our citizens have never been thoroughly aroused to the importance of the subject, have never felt so keenly the urgent necessity for it, and are consequently unwilling to go to as much trouble or expense for the attainment of the end desired, as the people of this interior, and along the Sound.

Let not the people of this, or still more distant parts of our country be satisfied or discouraged because of the place selected for the convention. Let the settlements from Straights to Olympia bear in mind, that if their delegates will have to be subjected to an inclement season, bad roads, and some expense, time and trouble in going and returning from Monticello, that had Olympia, or any other point in the interior been selected as the place for holding the convention, the citizens of Cascade city, Vancouver, Cathlamet and in short all the settlements on the Columbia, would have been subjected to the same inconvenience and draught upon their means; and who, for reasons alone enumerated, would probably have entirely failed in giving their attendance. The place of meeting, should deter no delegate, appointed from any portion of the territory, in giving a prompt attendance at the time specified.

And now, let us all go the work, and prepare for getting up a general convention, ith the object to the formation of a new territory. Let us hold meeting in every precinct and settlement, and let every voter attend, and exercise a voice and influence in the appointment of such delegates as will be sure to attend the convention. 

To guard against and contingency that may arise on this score, it would be highly proper that each meeting appoint a due proportion of persons, to act as "alternatives," in case any of the regular delegates, through any cause, may be prevented from attending, such persons to be invested with all authority necessary for their recognition, before the convention, as regular delegates.

Let all be appointed who can possibly attend. No doubt there will be many persons designated as delegates in the primary meetings, who will find it impossible to be present at the convention. let all such authorize those who do so to sign their names to the memorial; and to avoid any difficulty that may hereafter arise, let this be understood at the several precinct meetings. Hold your meetings as early as possible. 

This is very essential in order to afford the several representatives to the convention, an opportunity to shape their ends in accordance therewith; and in the absence of any authority on the subject, we would suggest Saturday, November 14, as a suitable day for precinct meetings throughout the territory, or as soon thereafter as practicable. let all the delegates bear in mind to procure certificates of their appointment from the officers of the several meetings. 

This is important in order to avoid confusion in the dispatch of such business as may come before the convention, as well as to avoid imposition from the external enemies of a division of out territory. We trust no one will forget this important pre-requisite to a seat in the convention.

Remember that the delegates are to meet at Monticello on November 25th and it is the duty of every friend of separate territorial government, not only to be active in getting up primary meetings, and the appointment of a competent number of delegates, but also to urge upon them the necessity of a general attendance. Let the farmers and mechanics attend en masse, and evince and earnestness in the matter, commensurate with the object to be attained.

Let us take a warning, at this stage of our proceedings, and profit by a former abortive movement for bringing about results which we now have in view. Remember, that if we should again fail in obtaining the will of the people attached to a memorial to congress, before efficient steps could be taken to successfully prevent its consummation, southern Oregon may have become a state, and serious encroachments may have been made upon our territory which nature designed should be incorporated with our own. We must be vigilant and active in arraigning matters for the crisis before us, and again we say PREPARE PREPARE!

The newspaper also ran another article asking the transportation companies to not think of these travelers as profit, but give them reasonable fares so they may have one less burden while they make their way to Monticello at their own expense.

The War of 1855

The following letters are taken from the book, Message of the Governor of Washington Territory published in 1857. These letters tell of the situation around the Highlands during the war. The Jackson homestead would be used as an outpost for sending communications to Olympia to keep them informed of what was going on. The Highlands never experienced any battles during the war although most of the farms were destroyed. The most exciting thing that happened in the area during the war, was the discovery of a secret Indian trail that led eastward toward the mountains to the Yakama Territory. Today U. S. Highway 12 follows in the general direction of this trail over White Pass to Yakima.

Highlands, W. T.,
November 13 1855
Acting-Governor C. H. Mason, Olympia, W. T.

Sir: I have deemed it my duty to keep a diligent watch in this portion of the Territory. Yesterday a party of Scouts, under charge of 2d Lieut. Roundtree, were out up the Newaukum five or six miles east of my place and east of the meridian line, where they found a considerable Indian trail, along which from six to seven horses had traveled that morning in the direction of the Klickitat country, or Upper Cowlitz, (none of our Indians had passed that way.) Just before finding said trail Lieut. Roundtree met a Klickitat Indian who said there was no trail in that direction, and seemed to be anxious that the party should proceed no further.

I have also sent a party up the Cowlitz to the Klickitat prairie, to bring away two of my company who reside there, and also, to take observation. I have also, stationed a party on the trail south of the Cowlitz river, leading from Klickitat to Lewis river pass. I shall keep parties out on these trails every day. I should have mentioned above, that the trail found by Lieut. Roundtree has been improved by Indians within the last three months by blazing and cutting logs and brush out of the way, a thing which you are aware they seldom do, and this improved trail has not been known to any of us before. Herewith I send you the muster roll of my company, the “Lewis County Rangers.”

I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, John R. Jackson, Captain.

Office Adjutant General,
W. T. W., Olympia
April 3d, 1856
Lieut. Col. Crosbie Aid to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief:

Sir, You will proceed to Lewis county, and organize a company of volunteers, direct them to erect two or more block houses, and range the country in the vicinity of Lewis river pass, and elsewhere when required, after leaving sufficient garrisons at the block houses. The object of the ranging to be mainly for the due protection of such of the farmers as may propose remaining upon their claims, or are putting in a crop, and making scouts to the Klickitat prairie, and heads of the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers, &c., &c. 

The block house should be at the Cowlitz Landing, another at the forks of the Cowlitz. Confer with Capt. John R. Jackson relative to strengthening his house to answer as a block house. Report to this office as frequently as possible, and, if necessary, organize two companies; one from the Cowlitz Farms, and the other to rendezvous either at the Landing or at Highland post-office. Examine into the condition of the Indians at Plamondon's reservation, and if they are found to obtain liquor from any source, take any measures you may choose to abate this most dangerous practice.

Very respectfully, James Tilton Adj't Gen. W. T. W.

Cowlitz Landing
April 5th, 1856
Adj't General James Tilton
Washington Territory Volunteers, Olympia:

Sir, Agreeably to instructions, I have this day organized and mustered into the [service of the] Territory of Washington a company of volunteers in Lewis county. The company is at present 67 strong, and will most probably be increased to eighty. I forward herewith the names of the officers and privates. I request that blank muster rolls be sent by the express. Much dissatisfaction has existed in this county, both amongst the Canadian settlers and the Americans. 

That of the Canadians has been removed by bestowing upon the Lieutenants of the company under command of Captain Peers, their commissions, and informing them that it had been recognized, and the discharges of the men as proof of service, would be remitted at as early a day as practicable. I desire that they be sent me immediately. That of the Americans still exists, owing to the negligence of Capt. J. R. Jackson. All of the men attached to his company furnished, not only their horses and equipments, but even their own supplies, for which no allowance has been made. 

I have directed the late 1st Lieutenant Jackson Barton, to address you on the subject, so that a remedy may be applied. There should be an assistant quartermaster at this place. I recommend C. C. Pagett be appointed as such, with the rank and emoluments of a Captain of cavalry. I also recommend the appointment of Dr. U. G. Warbass as an assistant surgeon. It is absolutely necessary that there should be one attached to the company, as it is my intention to order the company immediately on the completion of the block houses to make a scout on the Klickitat prairie, and in the neighborhood of the Lewis river pass.

 I shall enclose the large house at this place heretofore used as a tavern, with pickets ten and twelve feet high, with bastions at diagonal corners. It will serve as a depot for quartermaster's stores, and also afford, in case of an emergency, protection for the families of the neighborhood. There is no necessity for a block house at the forks of the Cowlitz, inasmuch as the settlers are already building one at Caghill's, four miles below. 

Where else it may be requisite to establish block houses, I have not as yet determined. I shall dispatch Lt. Anderson, the First Lieut. of the Lewis county Rangers, with an order on the quartermaster at Vancouver for supplies, more particularly ammunition. There is a great scarcity of muskets and percussion caps. I brought over a small package, but on counting, there was but 168. It would be well to send by the express 2,500. On Monday, I shall endeavor to make an arrangement for improving and bridging the Cowlitz trail. I request that the commissions for the officers of the company and also those of assistant quartermaster and surgeon, be forwarded immediately.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Henry R. Crosbie Lt. Col. and Aid-de-Camp

Cowlitz Landing
June 2d, 1856
Gov. I. I. Stevens
Com-in-Chief W. T. Volunteers, Olympia:

SIR, Ten men and myself have gone on a scouting party to the Klickitat prairie. We are cutting a road from “Pain Court,” a settlement east of J. R. Jackson's, and will finish it in another week. There is a trail from Jackson's connecting with it; also, a wagon road from Cowlitz river. It will be much shorter than the old trail.

E. D. Warbass, Captain Company L, W. T. W

During the war, the emigration and all civilian traffic came to a halt in the territory. The trails in the forested regions would all become impassible with downed trees. It would take a couple of years following the hostilities before travel and emigration started up again. 

As things got back to normal in the early 1860's, traffic began to increase on the trail as more and more people were coming up the river again. The Jackson place would continue to serve these travelers until about the time the Northern Pacific built its line to Tacoma. Afterwards, traffic on the Cowlitz trail began to diminish and the Jackson family who had hosted many a traveler during the 1850's and 1860's, would become just another farm along the highway.

The Restoration of the Jackson House

In 1882, Jackson's wife Matilda, moved into a new home that was built on the property. The old cabin and its attachments were abandoned and left to the elements. Time would be no friend to the old house since it was abandoned. By the time the Pacific Highway became a reality in 1913, the old buildings had become ruins. In 1915, Augustine Donahue and his wife, who at the time were the current owners of the property, donated the house and lot to the Washington State Historical Society. That year, the cabin was taken apart and rebuilt using any salvageable materials. It was one of the first historic preservation projects in the State of Washington. 

In the 1920's, Anna Koontz, a granddaughter of Jackson, saw the historic value of the site and brought the idea of preserving the old cabin to the St. Helen's Club of Chehalis, a local women's civic group. They voted to take on the project and quickly raised $500 for the effort. As the work was underway, the property was transferred to the Washington State Parks, becoming the second park in the system. The restoration project was dedicated on October 21, 1922.

The Matilda Jackson State Park

About a half mile north of the Jackson House is the Matilda Jackson State Park. The park, also established in 1922, was created as a tribute to Jackson's wife Matilda. The park was a rest stop for travelers on the Pacific Highway. This resting place is in a grove of old growth Douglas fir trees and had a trail so you may walk amongst these magnificent trees. In 1916, the Daughters and Sons of the Revolution had placed an Oregon trail marker in what would become the future park. Today the cluster of trees along the old highway, continues to be a rest stop and a place to have a picnic while taking a drive through the country. 

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Sources;

Message of the Governor of Washington Territory published 1857

History of Washington by Clinton A. Snowden, published in 1909

Told by Pioneers published 1938