Marysville Washington

   The State of Washington is noted for the thrifty and sprightly 

towns and cities which dot the shores of the navigable streams and 

stretch out over the hills and dales amidst the forest along the 

lines of the steam railways. Located thirty-eight miles north of 

Seattle on the coast line of the Great Northern railway where it 

crosses Ebey Slough, one of the outlets of the Snohomish River, 

is the attractive and busy city of Marysville.

   The first persons to enter the forest at this place were Benj. 

F. Stafford, L. L. Ireland and a Mr. Thomas, who came to the place 

where Marysville is now situated in 1870. Mr. J. P. Comeford, the 

first permanent settler, came upon the scene in 1878 and purchased

the interests of the above parties and established a store and 

trading post at this point.  The store was bought in 1886 by H. B. 

Myers and Mark Swinerton.

   In 1879 the public schools were established and during the year 

following a post office was secured, of which J. P. Comeford was 

the first postmaster. After much discussion the name of the place 

was left to Mrs. Comeford, the first white woman to come to the place

and for her named Marysville.  In the spring of 1884 Mr. Comeford 

laid out the town and gave it the same name as the post office.

   In 1889 the Great Northern railway was built through the place, 

when it took on a period of active growth. The year preceding 

Mr. E. J. Anderson had built a saw mill, the first one in the place, 

and several shingle mills were built and put into operation.

Everything began to boom. Thomas Hopp that same year established 

a newspaper, which he called the Globe.

   In 1890 the town was incorporated and Mark Swinerton elected the 

first mayor. In the year following the commodious and attractive 

school building was completed. The beautiful new city hall was 

completed in 1901. 

   Marysville is in the midst of the lumbering district of Puget 

Sound and situated on Ebey Slough, one of the mouths of the Snohomish 

River. The timber consists mainly of fir and cedar. Nine shingle mills, 

three sawmills, a machine shop and other industries give employment 

when they are in full operation to many men, not only in the city 

but in the woods logging.

   Here, as in other parts of Snohomish county, are thousands of 

acres of logged-off lands which are now in places being cleared and 

utilized for farming and dairying purposes.  The soil of these lands 

consists of different varieties and is especially adapted to hay and

oats, fruit, berries and produce. Large opportunities are offered for

settlers in these logged-off lands which can be procured at very 

reasonable prices.

   Marysville is not only on the coast branch of the Great Northern 

railway, but also has a line of railway called the Marysville & 

Northern, running between this place and Bryant.  A new road is now 

being built from Marysville running through Arlington into the large

body of timber lying beyond along the Stillaquamish River.

   The city has an excellent system of waterworks which was built 

two years ago. The people now have in contemplation putting in a new 

system of waterworks, getting their supply of water from a lake of 

most excellent water four miles northwest of the city at the elevation 

of 325 feet above the city on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. 

Electricity for light and power purposes is secured from Everett.

   Adjoining Marysville is the Tulalip Indian Reservation, covering 

30 square miles of as fine land as exists. Between 500 and 600 Indians 

are living here at the present time. They engage in fishing, logging 

and hunting and their trade adds much to the business men of the city.

   Marysville is a city of pretty and cosy homes. Attractive and neat 

residences surrounded by well-kept and fine yards can be seen in 

various parts of the city. Many homes have been built here within the 

past few years. The people are especially proud of the two magnificent 

school houses here and maintain a high standard course of education. 

The new high school building was erected last year at a cost of 

$10,000. There are here six churches of the leading denominations.

   The city has a bank, newspaper, and all the various lines of 

business pursuit in each one of which excellent stocks as to quality 

and assortment are carried. Each year the tall firs and cedars, the 

dense thicket of alder and brush are growing less and less, and the 

city grows and prospers. The people are becoming more metropolitan 

and settled in their homes and occupations, while the present smiles 

and the future is bright and hopeful.