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May 10, 2023
Snohomish Through the Eyes of a Local: A Walking Tour Guide's Perspective
Get ready to take a trip back in time as we explore the rich history of Snohomish, a town that was almost destroyed in the 60s by city planners and architects who wanted to replace the old buildings with a mall similar to Northgate. In this episode, we speak to Taylor Russell, independent historian and creative enthusiast, who runs Snohomish Walks, a unique walking tour that takes you on a journey through the town's past.
We start the episode at Cady Park, the historic boat landing in Snohomish, where Taylor highlights the iconic buildings and themes of Snohomish history that make this town so special. From there, the tour takes a circuit of buildings and homes, winding through the streets of this quaint little town, and capturing the essence of the town's history.
We learn all about Pilchuck Julia, a historical icon in Snohomish who has been romanticized in the press and records of the time. Taylor discusses the challenges that Julia likely faced as she adapted to living in a white settlement and the changing economic system.
As we delve deeper into the town's history, we learn how Snohomish was a depressed community in the 60s, with logging, mining, and fishing industries in decline. Taylor reveals how the city planners and architects wanted to tear down the old buildings and replace them with a mall, similar to Northgate. The proposal almost came to fruition and even reached a city council vote, but the council voted against the plans due to lack of funds, saving the town's old buildings and preventing the construction of the mall.
Taylor writes, researches, and publishes history related to Snohomish and offers even more history on her Patreon page, where she posts exclusive content such as in-depth articles, behind-the-scenes photos, new products, and discount codes for Snohomish Walks.
The episode ends with Scott asking Taylor the famous question, "cake or pie?" The question is regarded as a silly and fun one, but it still agitates people and can lead to unexpected reactions.
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