Junius Rochester

Junius Rochester, whose family has shaped the city for many generations, is an award-winning Northwest historian and author of numerous books about Seattle and other places.

The Northwest’s First Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

One of the most popular teachers on campus because of his "Socratic" classroom method, Vernon Parrington quietly pursued his research, tended his garden, raised two daughters and a son with his wife Julia, and wrote prodigiously.

How Russian Explorers Led Exploration of the Northwest

Following Bering's discovery of sea-otter riches, an almost endless train of adventurers and brigands struck out from Asia for North America with wild dreams of staggering wealth.

Democratically Undemocratic? The UW Prof and his Critique of the US Constitution

Locally, the debate over Smith's book became so acrimonious (shades of today's attack on "woke" academies) that several state legislators in 1915 introduced an amendment to a University Appropriations Bill abolishing Smith's department.

Local Heroes: Steve Anderson, Master of the Hurdles

Upon entering the University of Washington Anderson's natural speed and athletic ability impressed the famous track and field coach Clarence S. "Hec" Edmondson. 

When Fiction hits too Close: Storyteller Nard Jones and the Book His Hometown Banned

Allegedly based on several characters from his hometown of Weston, Oregon -- the fictional town in Oregon Detour was called "Creston" -- the book caused something of a scandal in Oregon.

90 Years Ago: A Sensational Kidnapping of a Weyerhaeuser

When the plan was underway, $200,000 was to be delivered within five days. The police and F.B.I. were of course notified.

How our State was Accidentally Named Washington

A sudden substitution of the name of Washington replaced "Columbia" in Congress, and the name of the new territory stuck.

How the Northwest Grew a Nordic Heritage

In time, the great western lands and waters attracted Nordics to familiar professions: dairying, logging, fishing, mining, and village businesses. During the late 1880s Scandinavians found their way to the Pacific Northwest.

Much of What We Know of Seattle History We Owe to One Man

Rich Berner served as the first head of the University of Washington Archives and Manuscripts Division.

Central Player: How the Timber Economy Made Washington State

An 1853 edition of the Columbian, the newspaper of record at that time, reported that "fourteen sawmills" were in operation on Puget Sound, most of them run by waterpower from nearby streams and rivers.

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