Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The Northern Star
Early Snohomish Heritage Trail
— Short Stories of Those Who Came Before Us —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2021
1. The Northern Star Marker
The First Lawyer and Doctor Start a Newspaper
The two guiding lights of Snohomish’s first newspaper arrived in town a month apart. Eldridge Morse (1847-1914) trained as a lawyer at the University of Michigan. He and his young family migrated to the Pacific Coast, ending up in Snohomish on October 26, 1872, where he remained until his death, January 5, 1914.
Albert Folsom (1847 [sic, 1827]-1885) was exactly 20 years older than Morse. It seems that the first medical doctor of Snohomish County arrived with a broken heart due to a failed marriage in Wisconsin, and so, with no ambition “to accumulate property or secure a place or position for himself,” he offered his medical services for voluntary payment.
Success of a handwritten newsletter encouraged Morse and Folsom to establish the first newspaper in both town and county. Morse traveled to Olympia to purchase a used printing press, brought it back via steamship, then taught himself how to set type. The first issue circulated up and down the one-street town on January 15, 1876. The last was issued on May 3, 1879.
Morse asked rhetorically: ”What is this community? How does its spirit harmonize with the tendencies of the age? And what is the work we have in hand by which we hope to ‘leave behind us, footprints on the
this page online
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Original issues of ”The Northern Star” are available at the Snohomish Library (while they last) and archived by the Secretary of State at WashingtonDigitalNewspapers.org
Erected by City of Snohomish. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1914.
Location. 47° 54.683′ N, 122° 5.935′ W. Marker is in Snohomish, Washington, in Snohomish County. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Street and Avenue D, on the left when traveling west on 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1301 1st Street, Snohomish WA 98290, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mr. and Mrs. Lot Wilbur (here, next to this marker); Site of City Hotel & Lower Level Shops (within shouting distance of this marker); Earl Winehart American Legion Post No. 96 Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schott's Meat Market (about 500 feet away); Blackman Brothers (about 700 feet away); Love at First Sight (about 700 feet away); Otten Dry Goods Store (about 800 feet away); Ferguson Cottage (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snohomish.
Also see . . .
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2021
2. The Northern Star Marker
1. Washington Digital Newspapers. (Submitted on August 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Eldridge Morse at Find A Grave. (Submitted on August 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Albert Folsom at Find A Grave. (Submitted on August 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Snohomish Stories. (Submitted on August 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
