Washington State Centennial - Old Military Road

Motivated by the desire to open up the Puget Sound country, King County's oldest road was proposed in 1852 by territorial legislator Arthur A. Denny. The US government established this land route out of the need to connect Fort Steilacoom to Fort Bellingham and to provide military protection to the settlers. Unfortunately delays in funding this section meant that no road existed through here during the Indian Wars of 1855 -1856. Spurred to action by the tragic events of that. Congress appropriated $35,000 in 1857. Construction began in 1858 under Lt. G.H. Mendell and the road was completed to Seattle in October 1860. Dedicated June 14th 1989