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Lewis County Highlights
Lewis County Travel Tip
Information courtesy Lewis County
ATTRACTIONS:
A restored 1912 train depot houses a variety
of displays including an old-time parlor,
kitchen, school house, Indian room, turn-of-
the-century logging equipment and an
extensive local history research library.
Located at 599 N.W. Front Way, Chehalis, the
museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from
9AM to 5PM and on Sunday from 1PM to 5PM. For
more information, call (360) 748-0831.
East Lewis County Historical Museum(Morton)
Referred to as the "Old Settlers Museum,"
this historical spot is located in the home
of Gust Backstrom, a Swedish immigrant, and
is a showcase for old logging and mining
equipment. Located at 710 Main Street,
Morton, the museum is open Saturday and
Sunday(1PM to 4PM), Memorial Day through
Labor Day, Free admission, call(360)496-6446.
Chehalis-Centralia Railroad
A 1916 steam locomotive offers rides to
passengers on weekends during the summer
months. The train departs from Sylvenus
Street, Chehalis, on a 12-mile round-trip
that runs through the peaceful Chehalis River
Valley. Dinner trains trips depart monthly.
Call (360) 748-9593.
Centralia Historical Murals
Sixteen murals painted on the sides of
buildings portray the history of the area. An
informative walking tour map is available
from Destination Centralia, 210 Railroad
Ave., Centralia. A brochure about the murals
can be obtained by calling 1-800-831-5334.
The Joseph Borst Home and Blockhouse
Situated in Centralia's Fort Borst Park, the
blockhouse was built in the late 1850s to
hold grain and military supplies. The home
was built in the early 1860s, after
skirmishes with the native people ended, to
fulfill Borst's promise to his bride. A model
of a one-room schoolhouse is also located in
the park. All three are open summer weekends
from 1PM to 4PM. Call (360) 330-7688.
The Jackson House
An 1845 log cabin credited with hosting the
first U.S. District Court north of the
Columbia River, is located 10 miles south of
Chehalis on the Jackson Highway, south of
Mary's Corner on Hwy 12. Call (360) 864-2643.
Chehalis-Turn-of-the-Century Homes
The Hillside historical district, on the
east side of the historic downtown area
is primarily located on Southeast
Washington, Adams, Jefferson Avenues,
Hillside Drive and Terrace Road. The
area was first developed in the 1890s.
The district was named to the National
Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Chehalis-Downtown Historic District
Placed in the National Register of
Historic Places in 1997, it encompasses
the two block area generally considered
the "Heart of Downtown." The 23
contributing buildings provide an
atmosphere of small town America of
yesteryear.
Toledo - Saint Francis Mission
Simon Plamondon, the first permanent
white settler, returned to his homeland
in the Red River of Canada, a 3,000 mile
trek, to request a mission be
established to serve the five families
employed by the Hudson Bay Company. On
December 12, 1838, Mass was held at the
first Catholic Mission in Washington
state. The fourth church on this site
was built in 1932. Notable are the
historic cemetery and stained-glass
windows. The church doors are open seven
days a week.
PARKS & WILDERNESS AREAS:
Approximately one third of Lewis County
is national forest. The county includes
portions of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and
Gifford Pinchot National Forests and the Mt.
Rainier National Park, as well as the
William Douglas, Tatoosh and Goat Rocks
Wilderness Areas. The Mount Rainier summit,
at 14,410 feet, is just 10 miles from the
county's northeastern boundary. Mount
Rainier, Mount St. Helens National Monument
and Mount Adams are easily accessible.
BOTANICAL INTERESTS:
For those whose passion is plants, there
are several farms (some organic) growing and
selling culinary and medicinal herbs as well
as ornamental corn, apples, gourds,
pumpkins, flowers and bulbs. For a directory
call the Washington State University
Cooperative Extension (360) 740-1295.
SHOPPING:
Lewis County is second only to
Snohomish as an antique seeker's
destination. There are more than 350 antique
dealers in nearly 20 shops and three malls
concentrated in Centralia and Chehalis. Also
in Centralia (at Interstate 5 Exit 82) are
more than 50 name-brand factory outlet
stores including Bass, London Fog, Levis,
Lee, American Tourister, Carter's and
Pfaltzgraff. Besides the Centralia-Chehalis
area, quaint country stores full of antique
and contemporary treasures are found in
every town.
DINING:
An historic eatery,
McMenimans' Olympic Club, is the second
oldest saloon in Washington State. The
Olympic Club and Micro Brewery is located in
a landmark building at 112 North Tower
Avenue, Centralia. Originally built in 1891,
the saloon was rebuilt after a fire in 1908.
Original details include a sign at the
entrance which reads "Women's patronage not
solicited."
Notable restaurants in Centralia
and Chehalis include Historic Mary McCrank's
Dinner House, Plaza Jalisco, Rib Eye, Sweet
Inspirations, Back Nine Bistro, Red Dawg
Brewpub, Kit Carson, and a tourist favorite,
Country Cousin. In Morton, The Roadhouse is
a well-known eatery. Elsewhere in the county
are Peter's Inn in Packwood, Mt. Adams Cafe
in Randle and Brook's Nook in Vader.
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