Want to find out more about what Lake Stevens was like during the 1920s to 1940s? It is all captured in "Lake Stevens, My Town" by long time Lake Stevens resident Jim Mitchell, who passed away in 2015.

The book, "is a history from the human perspective." Jim explains, "I have lived here my entire life and all I have is good memories. I lived through the Depression and didn't know it. I had heroes like Marv Harshman and Bob Grimm. I had the run of a beautiful lake. It was a happy atmosphere, just like the book is a happy book."

Dorothy packed a wealth of information into her book which chronicles two pioneer families who came to the Pilchuck Valley in the late 1880's, when Washington State was still a Territory. "They cleared the timber from the land, raised their families there, and in the process they left a rich heritage." Her family history includes time spent in Machias, "a tough little mill town that used to lie in a narrow green valley near the Pilchuck River--until a devastating fire wiped out the seven taverns as well as the rest of the business district." Dorothy credits Bob Heirman and Walter Taubernac as providing inspiration to write the book. They said there was nothing on the logging camps in the area, specifically the Monroe Logging Company which was the big one in the valley, and because of her family involvement she was able to fill that need. Dorothy writes, "Sometime the stories will be from my own recollections, sometimes from those of my siblings...Also, I had the good fortune of having faded old letters, newspaper clippings, hand-written daily journals to quote from, as well as old black and white photographs."

Dorothy relates that one of her most cherished memories of her grandmother is sitting beside her and listening to her play "The Perfect Day" on her organ. She said the last stanza says it best:
"For memory has painted this perfect day, With colors that never fade..." Yes, there are memories that never fade and loved ones who never die--because our hearts see that which our eyes no longer can. Also, they live on in the stories of their lives." We are thankful Dorothy took the time to make sure these stories will live on in her book.

This book is a true story of the adventures of Fred Cushman, his extended family, and his nine children, as told by one of his twin daughters, Una.



"Now that I, Una, am 94 years old, legally blind and hard of hearing, I find myself spending afternoons sitting in my rocking chair, eyes closed, just thinking. Oh, I might look like I am napping, but I'm not. I'm replaying the events of my life and contemplating the tremendous changes I've witnessed in my time. My brother Roland, and my sisters, Alta and Ruth have found out that I am failing and have been coming to visit me mornings. The four of us sit together remembering. As we wade through our combined memories of past times, memories build upon memories, like the expanding ripples of a still pond into which a stone has been tossed. Together we remember more than any one of us would alone. Our story is about Everett, Washington, between the years of 1906 to 1917, and 1930 to 1945, and Hartford, 1917 to 1930. Hartford Village later became part of the City of Lake Stevens, Washington."

Looking for a Christmas gift with a local vibe? Our 2027 Lake Calendar is perfect for someone who appreciates the beauty of our lake. And you help support the creation of exhibits in our new museum.This years calendar contains an awesome selection of photos by local photographers and is available for $20.00. Shipping is available for an additional $5.00.

This "Where I Live" coloring book, published by Foster Press, covers some important aspects of Lake Stevens history in an easy to read format. Each page of the coloring book has a history lesson of Lake Stevens.

Digitally recreated Lundeen’s Dance Poster from 1930s.
22 1/2" × 14 1/2"

Digitally recreated Lundeen’s Dance Poster from 1930s.
22 1/2" × 14 1/2"

We have several years worth of yearbooks. Some are new, some are used and have writing in them. Please confirm with the museum that the year you want is available.

Shipping for 1999 and on is $8.00 due to weight. Select shipping for 3 books.

In the 1890s mining town of Monte Cristo, Washington, Melinda McCrea vows never to marry a miner—but when she’s asked to step in as schoolteacher and a deadly explosion traps her friend’s uncle, a union leader named Quin, her plans begin to change. As floods cut the town off from the world, Melinda flees with young Evan and must choose between love and the dream of college. Set in a real Cascade Mountains ghost town, this gripping historical novel brings Monte Cristo’s dramatic past to life through unforgettable characters and high-stakes choices.

In Better Than Gold, Melinda McCrea’s dreams of becoming a teacher are dashed when a thief steals her savings—and a vital letter—from her in gold-rush-era San Francisco. With her young ward Evan in tow, she races to Alaska to find her fiancé Quin, unaware he’s already embedded with fortune-seekers crossing the perilous Valdez Glacier. A haunting dream warns of danger, and as Melinda braves wilderness and stormy seas, she discovers some treasures are far more valuable than gold.

A Logger’s Daughter by Joan Rawlins Husby is a heartfelt memoir of growing up in the 1940s and ’50s in the logging town of Robe, Washington. Blending family stories with the natural and cultural history of the area, the book paints a vivid picture of small-town life, rich with the values, beauty, and simplicity of a bygone era.

Shipping charge for 3 books

Snow covered Mt Pilchuck reflecting on Lake Stevens. Includes one notecard and envelope.

Postcard of a snow covered Mt Pilchuck reflecting on Lake Stevens.

Free shipping on set of 15 notecards.

The 1957 report contains 82 pages of early Lake Stevens history, including 45 pages of family reminiscences and historical bits about the early settlers.

We have a limited number of these reports available for $12.00. The original covers were made from construction paper and some are showing age but the booklets are still in good shape.

10 notecards, your choice.

5 notecards, your choice.