- Steilacoom — Thumbnail History (historylink.org)
Steilacoom was one of the earliest non-Native settlements in the future state of Washington. Established just six years after Oregon Trail emigrants first arrived on Puget Sound, it quickly became a hub of social and economic activity. It was the first town incorporated by the territorial legislature and the first seat of government for Pierce County, but after the railroad bypassed Steilacoom in 1873, its early prominence faded. Steilacoom survived mainly as a vacation destination for visitors from larger cities and later as a bedroom community for nearby urban areas. In recent decades residents have embraced the town’s history through preservation projects and community events highlighting its importance in Washington’s history.
- Denny Blaine Park (Wikipedia)
Denny Blaine Park is a 2 acres (8,100 m2) water-front park in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. With picturesque views of Bellevue directly across the lake and Mount Rainier in the distance, it is primarily used for picnicking, sunbathing, and swimming. The park has also been one of Seattle’s unofficial queer- and trans-friendly clothing optional beaches since the 1970s.
