Marysville Washington

   The State of Washington is noted for the thrifty and sprightly 
towns and cities which dot the shores of the navigable streams and 
stretch out over the hills and dales amidst the forest along the 
lines of the steam railways. Located thirty-eight miles north of 
Seattle on the coast line of the Great Northern railway where it 
crosses Ebey Slough, one of the outlets of the Snohomish River, 
is the attractive and busy city of Marysville.
   The first persons to enter the forest at this place were Benj. 
F. Stafford, L. L. Ireland and a Mr. Thomas, who came to the place 
where Marysville is now situated in 1870. Mr. J. P. Comeford, the 
first permanent settler, came upon the scene in 1878 and purchased
the interests of the above parties and established a store and 
trading post at this point.  The store was bought in 1886 by H. B. 
Myers and Mark Swinerton.
   In 1879 the public schools were established and during the year 
following a post office was secured, of which J. P. Comeford was 
the first postmaster. After much discussion the name of the place 
was left to Mrs. Comeford, the first white woman to come to the place
and for her named Marysville.  In the spring of 1884 Mr. Comeford 
laid out the town and gave it the same name as the post office.
   In 1889 the Great Northern railway was built through the place, 
when it took on a period of active growth. The year preceding 
Mr. E. J. Anderson had built a saw mill, the first one in the place, 
and several shingle mills were built and put into operation.
Everything began to boom. Thomas Hopp that same year established 
a newspaper, which he called the Globe.
   In 1890 the town was incorporated and Mark Swinerton elected the 
first mayor. In the year following the commodious and attractive 
school building was completed. The beautiful new city hall was 
completed in 1901. 
   Marysville is in the midst of the lumbering district of Puget 
Sound and situated on Ebey Slough, one of the mouths of the Snohomish 
River. The timber consists mainly of fir and cedar. Nine shingle mills, 
three sawmills, a machine shop and other industries give employment 
when they are in full operation to many men, not only in the city 
but in the woods logging.
   Here, as in other parts of Snohomish county, are thousands of 
acres of logged-off lands which are now in places being cleared and 
utilized for farming and dairying purposes.  The soil of these lands 
consists of different varieties and is especially adapted to hay and
oats, fruit, berries and produce. Large opportunities are offered for
settlers in these logged-off lands which can be procured at very 
reasonable prices.
   Marysville is not only on the coast branch of the Great Northern 
railway, but also has a line of railway called the Marysville & 
Northern, running between this place and Bryant.  A new road is now 
being built from Marysville running through Arlington into the large
body of timber lying beyond along the Stillaquamish River.
   The city has an excellent system of waterworks which was built 
two years ago. The people now have in contemplation putting in a new 
system of waterworks, getting their supply of water from a lake of 
most excellent water four miles northwest of the city at the elevation 
of 325 feet above the city on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. 
Electricity for light and power purposes is secured from Everett.
   Adjoining Marysville is the Tulalip Indian Reservation, covering 
30 square miles of as fine land as exists. Between 500 and 600 Indians 
are living here at the present time. They engage in fishing, logging 
and hunting and their trade adds much to the business men of the city.
   Marysville is a city of pretty and cosy homes. Attractive and neat 
residences surrounded by well-kept and fine yards can be seen in 
various parts of the city. Many homes have been built here within the 
past few years. The people are especially proud of the two magnificent 
school houses here and maintain a high standard course of education. 
The new high school building was erected last year at a cost of 
$10,000. There are here six churches of the leading denominations.
   The city has a bank, newspaper, and all the various lines of 
business pursuit in each one of which excellent stocks as to quality 
and assortment are carried. Each year the tall firs and cedars, the 
dense thicket of alder and brush are growing less and less, and the 
city grows and prospers. The people are becoming more metropolitan 
and settled in their homes and occupations, while the present smiles 
and the future is bright and hopeful.