Washington achieved statehood on November 11, 1889, becoming the 42nd state in the U.S. However, its history goes back much further. The Evergreen State has dozens and dozens of historical landmarks that will give you a glimpse of the Pacific Northwest’s past. If you’re curious about our local history, we highly recommend starting with exploring these spots. Without further ado, here are some fascinating and historical landmarks in Washington state.
- Fort Worden
Jim Culp / Flickr Located in Port Townsend, Fort Worden Historical State Park was once a U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps base constructed to protect Puget Sound from invasion by sea. Fortunately, it’s no longer necessary to have such a military base, and Fort Worden is now a destination for recreation and group gatherings. It may not surprise you to learn that Ford Worden is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in Washington. Fort Worden Historical State Park, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368, USA
- Bonneville Dam
Kirt Edblom / Flickr If you’ve ever driven along the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, you’ve probably seen the Bonneville Dam. The dam was built in the 1930s, and it was once the largest water impoundment project of its type in the nation. The Bonneville Dam Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1987. Bonneville Dam, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA
- American and English Camps
Mike Vouri / Wikipedia Located on San Juan Island, these camps were set up in 1859 as a response to the hostilities of the Pig War. Yes, the U.S. participated in a Pig War. The American and English Camps are now known as San Juan Island National Historical Park, and this is an area any history buff should check out. For a totally unique experience, you can take a trolley tour of San Juan Island. San Juan Island, Washington 98250, USA
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site
Jasperdo / Flickr Next up on the list of historical landmarks in Washington state is a place with an intense history. The Whitman Massacre was a pretty gruesome point in our history. Members of the Cayuse tribe killed 13 settlers, causing the US to annex the land as the Oregon Territory and starting the Cayuse War. Still, this National Historic Site in Walla Walla is definitely worth visiting. Whitman Mission National Historic Site, 328 Whitman Mission Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA
- Nez Perce National Historical Park
Ken Lund / Flickr The Nez Perce National Historical Park is a historic park that has territory in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The park was established in 1965 to tell the story of the Nez Perce people, and the parts of the park that are in Washington are absolutely stunning.
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Jasperdo / Flickr Established in 1824 by the Hudson’s Bay Company, Fort Vancouver was an important 19th-century fur trading outpost. The buildings here are not the originals – they all burned down in a fire in 1866. However, this is still an important place to visit. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site | Visitor Center, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661, USA
- Fort Nisqually Granary
Michael & Sherry Martin / Flickr Fort Nisqually was the first European trading post on Puget Sound. It has since been relocated to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma and serves as a living history museum. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, 5519 Five Mile Dr, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
Do you enjoy learning about our local history? What is your favorite historical landmarks in Washington state to visit? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! Looking for related content? Check out our list of some other bucket-list-worthy historic landmarks in Washington.
Jim Culp / Flickr
Located in Port Townsend, Fort Worden Historical State Park was once a U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps base constructed to protect Puget Sound from invasion by sea. Fortunately, it’s no longer necessary to have such a military base, and Fort Worden is now a destination for recreation and group gatherings. It may not surprise you to learn that Ford Worden is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in Washington.
Fort Worden Historical State Park, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368, USA
Kirt Edblom / Flickr
If you’ve ever driven along the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, you’ve probably seen the Bonneville Dam. The dam was built in the 1930s, and it was once the largest water impoundment project of its type in the nation. The Bonneville Dam Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1987.
Bonneville Dam, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA
Mike Vouri / Wikipedia
Located on San Juan Island, these camps were set up in 1859 as a response to the hostilities of the Pig War. Yes, the U.S. participated in a Pig War. The American and English Camps are now known as San Juan Island National Historical Park, and this is an area any history buff should check out. For a totally unique experience, you can take a trolley tour of San Juan Island.
San Juan Island, Washington 98250, USA
Jasperdo / Flickr
Next up on the list of historical landmarks in Washington state is a place with an intense history. The Whitman Massacre was a pretty gruesome point in our history. Members of the Cayuse tribe killed 13 settlers, causing the US to annex the land as the Oregon Territory and starting the Cayuse War. Still, this National Historic Site in Walla Walla is definitely worth visiting.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site, 328 Whitman Mission Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA
Ken Lund / Flickr
The Nez Perce National Historical Park is a historic park that has territory in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The park was established in 1965 to tell the story of the Nez Perce people, and the parts of the park that are in Washington are absolutely stunning.
Established in 1824 by the Hudson’s Bay Company, Fort Vancouver was an important 19th-century fur trading outpost. The buildings here are not the originals – they all burned down in a fire in 1866. However, this is still an important place to visit.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site | Visitor Center, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661, USA
Michael & Sherry Martin / Flickr
Fort Nisqually was the first European trading post on Puget Sound. It has since been relocated to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma and serves as a living history museum.
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, 5519 Five Mile Dr, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
historical landmarks in Washington State November 03, 2022 Beth C. What are Washington’s most famous landmarks? Whether it’s your first time visiting Washington or you’re playing tourist in your own backyard, you’ll be impressed by the sheer number of unique landmarks and attractions in Washington state. From stunning natural wonders to historic sites, there’s just no shortage of impressive places to see. Fortunately, we’ve narrowed down the options and have compiled a Washington bucket list for you to explore. At the top of the list is Cape Flattery in Clallam County. This magical place just so happens to be the northwesternmost point in the contiguous U.S. Plus, it’s as pretty as a postcard. Next up on our list would be Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park. This exhilarating six-mile trail boasts fascinating scenery at every turn. If you’re more of a city dweller, head to Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle. The view of the Seattle skyline from this vantage point is simply unparalleled. Other landmarks to add to your list include Lenore Lake Caves, Hurricane Hill on the Olympic Peninsula, Horseshoe Lake, Tolmie Peak, Perfection Lake, Hoh Rainforest, Skyline Divide Trail, Priest Point Park, Harry’s Ridge Trail, Bean Creek Basin, and Duncan Garden in Spokane. Does Washington have any haunted hotels? Absolutely! If you have a fear of ghosts, you may want to avoid staying the night at Hotel Sorrento. This historic hotel was built in 1909, so it’s well over 100 years old. Many of its first guests were part of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. While the hotel has since been renovated, you’ll notice historic details, such as the Rockwood tiles around the fireplace. If you stay in room 408, however, you may just get a glimpse of history that you weren’t expecting. It’s believed that the ghost of Alice B. Toklas still haunts this room. Fortunately, she’s said to be a friendly ghost.
The OIYS Visitor Center
historical landmarks in Washington State
November 03, 2022
Beth C.
What are Washington’s most famous landmarks? Whether it’s your first time visiting Washington or you’re playing tourist in your own backyard, you’ll be impressed by the sheer number of unique landmarks and attractions in Washington state. From stunning natural wonders to historic sites, there’s just no shortage of impressive places to see. Fortunately, we’ve narrowed down the options and have compiled a Washington bucket list for you to explore. At the top of the list is Cape Flattery in Clallam County. This magical place just so happens to be the northwesternmost point in the contiguous U.S. Plus, it’s as pretty as a postcard. Next up on our list would be Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park. This exhilarating six-mile trail boasts fascinating scenery at every turn. If you’re more of a city dweller, head to Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle. The view of the Seattle skyline from this vantage point is simply unparalleled. Other landmarks to add to your list include Lenore Lake Caves, Hurricane Hill on the Olympic Peninsula, Horseshoe Lake, Tolmie Peak, Perfection Lake, Hoh Rainforest, Skyline Divide Trail, Priest Point Park, Harry’s Ridge Trail, Bean Creek Basin, and Duncan Garden in Spokane. Does Washington have any haunted hotels? Absolutely! If you have a fear of ghosts, you may want to avoid staying the night at Hotel Sorrento. This historic hotel was built in 1909, so it’s well over 100 years old. Many of its first guests were part of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. While the hotel has since been renovated, you’ll notice historic details, such as the Rockwood tiles around the fireplace. If you stay in room 408, however, you may just get a glimpse of history that you weren’t expecting. It’s believed that the ghost of Alice B. Toklas still haunts this room. Fortunately, she’s said to be a friendly ghost.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Whether it’s your first time visiting Washington or you’re playing tourist in your own backyard, you’ll be impressed by the sheer number of unique landmarks and attractions in Washington state. From stunning natural wonders to historic sites, there’s just no shortage of impressive places to see. Fortunately, we’ve narrowed down the options and have compiled a Washington bucket list for you to explore. At the top of the list is Cape Flattery in Clallam County. This magical place just so happens to be the northwesternmost point in the contiguous U.S. Plus, it’s as pretty as a postcard. Next up on our list would be Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park. This exhilarating six-mile trail boasts fascinating scenery at every turn. If you’re more of a city dweller, head to Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle. The view of the Seattle skyline from this vantage point is simply unparalleled. Other landmarks to add to your list include Lenore Lake Caves, Hurricane Hill on the Olympic Peninsula, Horseshoe Lake, Tolmie Peak, Perfection Lake, Hoh Rainforest, Skyline Divide Trail, Priest Point Park, Harry’s Ridge Trail, Bean Creek Basin, and Duncan Garden in Spokane.
Does Washington have any haunted hotels?
Absolutely! If you have a fear of ghosts, you may want to avoid staying the night at Hotel Sorrento. This historic hotel was built in 1909, so it’s well over 100 years old. Many of its first guests were part of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. While the hotel has since been renovated, you’ll notice historic details, such as the Rockwood tiles around the fireplace. If you stay in room 408, however, you may just get a glimpse of history that you weren’t expecting. It’s believed that the ghost of Alice B. Toklas still haunts this room. Fortunately, she’s said to be a friendly ghost.
