Federal Way

by Historical Society of Federal Way

Overview

Located on Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, the site that became Federal Way was first settled by loggers, who in the 1860s began using the shore along Puget Sound for easy access to the extensive timber available inland. By the 1880s, about 50 homesteaders had filed claims in the Greater Federal Way area. Five small communities with individual school districts were established. When the five school districts consolidated in 1929, the new school was given the name Federal Way School because of the recently built, federally funded highway that passed nearby. Eventually the entire community came to be known as Federal Way. Still a relatively rural place up until the 1950s, Federal Way has grown exponentially since that time and is now the eighth largest city in Washington.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738558981
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	11/17/2008
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.54(w) x 9.16(h) x 0.42(d)

About the Author

The Historical Society of Federal Way was founded in 1988 to "Preserve our Past, Educate the Community, Inspire Future Generations." In this volume, the historical society is pleased to showcase more than 200 vintage images—many donated by longtime residents and never before published—making the singular history of the 35-square-mile area of Greater Federal Way available to all.

Editorial Reviews

Title: Federal Way's history book hits the shelves
Author: Kyra Low
Publisher: Federal Way Mirror
Date: 11/19/2008

There's a new chapter to be written in Federal Way's history — its first book.

The Historical Society of Federal Way's 20-year dream of a book on the city's history has come to fruition in a paperback simply titled "Federal Way."

"Our main goal is to educate the younger generation and be a good history resource," book coordinator Marie Sciacqua said.

For the last two decades, the society talked about creating a book on the history of Federal Way. The society even created some outlines, but for one reason or another, the book was never written.

That is until the society put Sciacqua on the job in 2006. Sciacqua really got down and started working on the book in early 2007, going through old book outlines, photos and files that belong to the historical society.

Working with publisher Arcadia, Sciacqua put together an outline for the book and tapped three of the historical society members — Ann Hagen, Dick Caster and Diana Noble-Gulliford — to write the book.

The society used information compiled by some earlier members of the group, including

Shirley Charnell, Maire Reed and Ilene Marckx.

"Without their efforts, we wouldn't have this information," Sciacqua said.

The book includes a history of Federal Way and some background on nearby areas that aren't technically part of Federal Way, including the history of Redondo.

There are hundreds of photos throughout the book, dating back to the turn of the century right up to the Federal Way Farmers Market, which opened in 2004. The book follows the history of the city through its incorporation in 1989. Before that point, the area was part of unincorporated King County.

"We're still just a young city," Sciacqua said. "We've come a long way. People don't realize how young we are. (Under King County) we didn't have control of our destiny."

The society will celebrate the book's launch from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Federal Way Community Center Senior Lounge, 876 S. 333rd St.

On hand will be Federal Way mayors, both past and present, as well as refreshments and music. Books will be available for purchase for $23 each.

Contact Kyra Low: [e-mail] or [phone].

Check it out

For more infomation on the book, call [phone]. The Historical Society of Federal Way is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

From the Publisher