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Private Gustavus Sohon accompanies the U.S. Army expedition exploring Eastern Washington in the summer of 1853.

In the summer of 1853, U.S. Army Private Gustavus Sohon (1825-1903) accompanies the first official American expedition to explore the territory between the Snake and the Spokane rivers. He travels as ...

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Theodore Winthrop finishes his tour of Washington Territory at Port Townsend on August 21, 1853.

On August 21, 1853, Theodore Winthrop (1828-1861) finishes a tour of Washington Territory at Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. He has toured the territories of California, Oregon, and British Co...

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1853 Census: First census of Washington Territory counts a population (excluding Indians) of 3,965 in 1853.

In late summer or fall of 1853, United States Marshall J. Anderson has the responsibility of taking the first census in Washington Territory. He counts a population of 3,965, of which there are 1,682 ...

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Upper Yakamas in the Wenas Valley, led by Owhi, host Longmire-Byles wagon train headed for Naches Pass on September 20, 1853.

On September 20, 1853, a group of Upper Yakama Indians led by Owhi (d. 1858) hosts the Longmire-Byles wagon train at what will become known as as Owhi's (or Ow-Hi's) Gardens. The spot in the Wenas Val...

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First emigrant wagon train crosses Naches Pass through the Cascade Mountains in the fall of 1853.

In September or October, 1853, the first wagon train succeeds in crossing rugged Naches Pass through the Cascade Mountains north of Mount Rainier, near where the borders of present-day Yakima, Kittita...

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Peter Judson files Donation Land Claim to 321 acres in Tacoma in the fall of 1853.

In the fall of 1853, Peter Judson files a Donation Land Claim to 321 acres on Commencement Bay, just north of the settlement around a sawmill built the year before by Nicholas Delin (1817-1882). Judso...

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Duwamish Coal Company is established near Black River on October 20, 1853.

On October 20, 1853, the Duwamish Coal Company is formed to mine coal near the Black River located just south of Lake Washington. This is the first coal mined and shipped from King County.

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George Waunch files a claim near future Centralia on land that will become known as Waunch Prairie on October 26, 1853.

On October 26, 1853 George Waunch (1812-1882) files a claim on what will be known as Waunch Prairie, just north of present-day Centralia. He has lived on the prairie intermittently for eight years, bu...

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Governor Isaac Stevens selects Olympia as capital of Washington Territory on November 28, 1853.

On November 28, 1853, Isaac Stevens (1818-1862), the first governor of Washington Territory, issues a proclamation that names Olympia as the capital of the new territory. Olympia, founded in 1850, is ...

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Seattle's first school, a tuition (private) school, begins instruction in 1854.

In 1854, Seattle's first school, which is a tuition or "select" school (a private school), opens its doors in a house in the village at the corner of Front Street (1st Avenue) and Madison Street. The ...

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Arthur Denny proposes white-woman suffrage amendment in the Territorial Legislature's first session on February 28, 1854.

In 1854, Arthur Denny (1822-1899), one of the founders of Seattle, proposes an amendment at the first session of the territorial legislature "to allow all white females over the age of 18 years to vot...

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Dr. Wesley F. Cherry dies following arrest of murder suspect Tom Taylor on March 6, 1854.

On March 6, 1854, Dr. Wesley F. Cherry dies of wounds received as the member of a posse sent to Whidbey Island to arrest the killers of William Young. A Native American member of the posse was killed ...

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