Bountiful forests and prized minerals shaped the early resource-extraction economy of King County. In sawmills and coalmines, on railroads and massive civil engineering projects, INDUSTRY brought prosperity and technological advancement to this rugged corner of the Pacific Northwest. A legacy of innovation continues today in the aviation and computer industries of this region.
Many old waterfront shipyards, canneries and mill sites are now parks, resorts and housing developments. Railroad lines through farmland and forests have become public trails. Destination Industry encourages you to explore Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood - and then strike out on your own to see some remarkable sites and landscapes around King County where industrial heritage is preserved.
Top Left: Museum of History & Industry, PEMCO Webster & Stevens Collection, 1983.10.14851.16 Feature: Holly Taylor
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Northwest Railway Museum
This beloved train museum is housed in an elaborate Queen Anne-style depot, constructed in 1890 for the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway. The museum displays the region's largest collection of historic rolling stock, and operates seasonal excursion trains. Dozens of railroad cars are displayed outside the museum and along the Centennial Trail, a 3/4-mile trail connecting the museum with Snoqualmie Falls. A new Conservation and Restoration Center will allow volunteers to get involved in hands-on preservation activity.