Upper Nisqually Valley

Images of America: Washington

by Donald M. Johnstone, South Pierce County Historical Society

The Nisqually Valley has long been a transportation route, a source of livelihood for its residents, and a source of beauty for its visitors. Before settlement, a system of trails through the valley gave Native Americans access to rich hunting and fishing, as well as access to a larger, cross-mountain trail system and places of spiritual significance. The first settlers entered the valley in the 1860s. Not long after, the first tourist arrived in Mount Rainier. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1870. Throughout the years, as more settlers arrived and the forest industries exploded, the valley welcomed an increase in trains, roads, and visitor accommodations. With the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899, tourism began supplementing the forestry industry. In the last 100 years, forestry, farming, and sightseeing have been the story of the valley and its people.

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2011

Reviews

[Tiffany]

I don't love this one, but I think a big part is because I have no personal connection to the subject. My parents visited Mt. Rainier and saw this, and since they know how much I like Images of America books and the like, they bought it for me. But since I don't live at/near the Upper Nisqually Valley and have never been there, this book doesn't mean much to me.

The writing also isn't great on some pages. I might just be more critical because I'm already in a state of mind of "ho-hum," though.