- In 1852, two Californians in search of site for a lumber mill arrived at the mouth of northwest Washington’s Whatcom Creek, on the edge of the Puget Sound. The spot was close to the forests and streams they would need to supply and power their lumber business, and it had a good harbor that they could use to ship their products to market in San Francisco. The same natural bounty soon drew other newcomers. They formed four settlements: Whatcom, Sehome, Fairhaven, and Bellingham. In 1904, after a series of consolidations, the four towns became one city: Bellingham, at the time the state’s fourth-largest municipality. Yet even as the town boomed, most of its citizens – miners, cannery workers, railroad builders, and loggers – counted on the land and water around them for their livelihoods. In the twenty-first century Bellingham still relies on the land to survive, but now caters to skiers, hikers, kayakers, and sightseers.
- Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain (Project Gutenberg)
“Life on the Mississippi” by Mark Twain is a memoir and historical account written during the late 19th century. The narrative focuses on the author’s experiences as a young riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, providing insights into the river’s history, geography, and the profession of piloting, intertwined with Twain’s characteristic wit and humor. The opening of the memoir begins with Twain discussing the remarkable features of the Mississippi River, highlighting its unusual shape, immense drainage basin, and significant historical importance. He reflects on the river’s physical properties, such as its ability to shift locations and the vast amount of sediment it carries to the Gulf of Mexico. Twain introduces historical figures like De Soto and La Salle, tracing the exploration and subsequent navigation of this great waterway. Through vivid descriptions and engaging anecdotes, the beginning sets the stage for a deeper exploration of life on the river, the challenges faced by pilots, and the culture surrounding steamboat travel in Twain’s time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)