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| Eatonville Washington: The northwest lumber industry had a direct economic impact on
the development and decline of the “company town.” In order to
entice employees to move to the remote areas where the mills were
located, homes, stores, and other community services were built
to accommodate workers. To varying degrees, these lumber companies
owned and controlled the businesses, buildings, and services in
these communities. Eventually, a combination of factors contributed
to the demise or transformation of many of these company towns.
These factors included the depletion of raw materials and the
lumber industry’s consequent shift from logging to “farming” trees,
as well as the advent of modern freeways and automobiles, making
these once remote areas more accessible. The Washington towns
of Eatonville, Onalaska, Bordeaux, and Malone all experienced
dramatic and increased population growth with the establishment
of lumber mills and were, at least for a time, company towns.
Eatonville is in southern Pierce County west of Mt. Rainier. The Eatonville Lumber Company has been closed for decades but the community has transformed into a residential community for south Puget Sound and as an entryway to major outdoor recreational areas. The Carlisle Lumber Company owned the town of Onalaska and the mill closed in 1942. Bordeaux, in western Thurston County, was named for Thomas and Joseph Bordeaux, who arrived in 1887. They founded a sawmill, the Mumby Lumber and Shingle Company, which brought workers to the area, and the community of Bordeaux sprouted. The town was abandoned by 1941 when the timber ran out. The Malone lumber mill was established in the early 1900’s by the Joe Vance Lumber Company. It was later sold to the Bordeaux Lumber Company. The mill was eventually closed during the depression years and the company owned houses were sold.
Okay, this one will test you local history buffs. My name is Lynna (Slye) Drengson and I lived in Eatonville and other surrounding small towns during the 50's. We were living in the company town of National during the summer of 52-53? when a drunk driver straightened out the curve on the highway and ran headlong into the little white historic church. The church was demolished and the steeple and bell were planted right on top of the driver - who was dead. I have been looking for newspaper articles or stories about this incident and any info you could send would be greatly appreciated. Send your memories or news clippings to erengl@msn.com. I'm curious to know how accurate my memory is regarding this event.
Washington Libraries on Eatonville.com
Note from reader: My grandfather homesteaded in Eatonville over 100 years ago. His name was Emil Kreger. Are there any Kregers still living in Eatonville? Sue Kreger Webber
Can you identify any of these Eatonville students? Circa ?... Refer to photo #1 and tell us who they are. e-mail
Can you identify any of these Eatonville students? Circa ?... Refer to photo #2 and tell us who they are. e-mail
Can you identify any of these Eatonville students? Circa 1915... Refer to photo #3 and tell us who they are. e-mail Coming Soon. . . a collection of historic photos and stories. Please submit some of your own! Mail photos to: Eatonvile.Com, c/o AmeriCAM 814 - 31 Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144 Send SASE envelope. All photos will be returned promptly.
E-mail stories. . . historical events. . . local folklore to e-mail You are invited to help write this site. Submit stories about your family, friends.
The 20th Century In The Eatonville Dispatch Welcome ~ Thank you for sharing in our Millennium celebration as we honor 100 years of South Pierce County's history. As we embrace the new century, The Dispatch will turn 107 years old. This article was compiled by many members of our staff who worked diligently pouring over old newspapers. Leslie Donovan, Dispatch
My name is Gordon Bayes. I had to leave Eatonville in 1955 right
after graduating from the eighth grade at Eatonville Elementary
School.
Advertise in the classifieds. Community Businesses: Promote your business on Eatonville.Com. We'll design advertisements for you. Update your ads on a daily basis, if you like. Announce sales, specials, and publish coupons. Look to Eatonville.Com for current sales and coupon offerings. This is your chance to be heard and tell others what you think. Submit articles of interest about the history of our community, family histories, etc.. To advertise on Eatonville.Com and "Talk of the Town" (A highlights newsletter placed in local restaurants) Call 1-800-451-3827
$29.95, WA res. apply 8.6% sales tax. To order: please send payment to AmeriCAM, 814 31st Avenue South Seattle, WA 98144 To place a credit card order: please call 800.451.3827
Enjoy!
Arts and Entertainment / Local Business / Top Stories / Historical Tour / Travel / Greater Eatonville Chamber of Commerce / Advertise / Submit Article / Classifieds / To Reach Us |
Little Cruiser Town is a pictorial history of South Pierce County that retraces a
century through old photographs of Eatonville and communities
"up the line". Balladeer, J.W. Sparrow provides wide reaching
musical expression to nostalgic images with a full length original
sound track.
Pick up your Eatonville Historic Walking Tour at the Visitor's Center in downtown Eatonville. Then, take a trip
back to the turn-of-the-century as you walk the leisurely tour
around town. As your footsteps trace the route of the tour and
images present themselves, your imagination will need to wander
as well.