Initiate interest in Magnolia historical studies and activities throughout the Seattle area. Inspire the Community to acquire a publicly assessable common-use collection of acquisitions and archives; dutifully cared for, those collections will use state of the art technologies and professional services. Invest in Magnolia historical research and cultural heritage to further activities for charitable, literary, and educational purposes and have a sense of enjoyment with hands-on historic projects and work. Encourage a more complete and knowledgeable sense of place through the works and projects of the Magnolia Historical Society. Join us!

Magnolia Historical Society presents Magnolia Making More Memories, 'Book II', in Magnolia's history series. Order Now!

If you experienced joy reading "Magnolia: Memories & Milestones", you will definitely not want to miss purchasing "Magnolia: Making More Memories", now in a limited edition available for purchase. New memories, more history, new archival photos, and new stories make this a worthy addition in updating your Magnolia history collection.

The book is a chorus of voices telling Magnolia history in the decades of 1920-1940. Steam locomotives at Interbay, the West Point Lighthouse, the effects of World War II here on Magnolia and over there for one Magnolia family shape this collection written by 34 Magnolians. Photo essays and archival photos make this second in a series of Magnolia history a beautiful coffee table book with style and significance for every Magnolia resident.

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Magnolia: Memories & Milestones: 'Creating a sense of place.'

Author Wendell Berry has this belief: "If you don't know where you are, you don't know who you are..." It is all about getting "a sense of place." Of this notion, author Wallace Stegner writes: "…He is talking about the kind of knowing that involves the senses..." The thimble-sized blackberries that grow wild in secret spots on Magnolia, more in the yesterday than today, and generations passing the information down for the possibility of one more taste of that hot August, Magnolia blackberry jam. The memoirs of Magnolia residents. Bob Kildall making history then writing about it in the history of Discovery Park; Hal Will and his Magnolia childhood of the '30s, boys and their “Dumb Stunts…”; Dr. Henry A. Smith, Magnolia’s first white settler, “the first pioneer” a man whose vision and life made a difference for Magnolians while he lived and after he died. Magnolia: Memories & Milestones brings alive the roots of Magnolia and introduces us to a beginning sense of this place Magnolians call home. Recipient of The Virginia Marie Folkins Award in 2000 for best history book written in King County, this is an elegant presentation of eloquent stories and enthralling archival images. This is the first of two (hopefully, on-going historical written records) that entertains, enlightens, and encourages all neighborhoods to follow suit and begin the job of writing down their stories to create a tangible sense of place, Now in its 3rd printing, Magnolia: Memories & Milestones is still available!

Now in its 3rd printing--still available!

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Magnolia Historical Resources

Magnolia's Founder

Dr. Smith traveled in a wagon train to the Oregon Territory from Wooster, Ohio, with his mother and his sister. He picked the cove (now known as 'Smith Cove') for his claim and built a cabin there in the spring of 1853. He thought the spot was a good location for docks and that the flat area was a natural for a transcontinental railroad terminus. He and his family staked out the next claim north. Another settler, Edmund Carr, laid claim to the south side of Salmon Bay, having explored the north side of Queen Anne Hill and The Outlet, the creek connecting Lake Union and the salt water.

During the Indian War of 1855-1856, the settlers fled their claims for the safety of block houses in Seattle. When they returned after hostilities, they found their homes burned and their stock gone. Dr. Smith's first cabin was spared, apparently a tribute to his good relations with his Native American neighbors. Purportedly, Smith would later be the source for a widely circulated account of the speech of Chief Seattle during an 1854 visit of Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens (1818-1862)." - Magnolia: Memories & Milestones, Magnolia Community Club, 2001 as retold by History Link.