Near Arlington in Snohomish County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Big Cedar Stump

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 18, 2025

1. Big Cedar Stump Marker

Inscription.
This famous stump remains as evidence of the giant trees which once forested this area. Over 20 feet in diameter and 200 feet tall, the huge "Western Redcedar" is believed to have been more than 1000 years old. Discovered by early settlers of the area, the following is a resume of its recorded history:
1893 - The stump was killed by a fire which started in its hollow base.
1916 - After the top was removed, Paul Wangsmo and Ole Rodway cut and chopped three spines from the core and cut archways through the stump.
1922 - After cutting the stump off at its base, Ole Reinseth and Slim Husby used horse teams to drag it north 150 yards where it was set on a concrete base.
1939 - The stump, by now cracked, was taken apart and pieced back together just north of Portage Creek, alongside the newly completed U.S. 99. On May 27, Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway drove through the stump.
1971 - The stump's final move brought it here.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 48° 10.135′ N, 122° 11.338′ W. Marker is near Arlington, Washington, in Snohomish County. It can be reached from Interstate 5 one mile north of Washington Route 531, on the right when traveling north. Located in Smokey Point Rest Area Northbound. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arlington WA 98223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region

and in Greater Seattle.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clara J. Stanwood Pearson (approx. 9.8 miles away); Stanwood Area Historical Society Veterans' Memorial (approx. 9.8 miles away); Legion Park (approx. 10½ miles away); Sirita's Playground (approx. 11.4 miles away); Vancouver landed June 4, 1792

Big Cedar Stump and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 18, 2025

2. Big Cedar Stump and Marker

(approx. 12.2 miles away); The Jackknife Bridge at Ebey Slough (approx. 12.2 miles away); Fire Station No. 2 (approx. 13.1 miles away); McCabe Building (approx. 13.1 miles away).

Big Cedar Stump image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 18, 2025

3. Big Cedar Stump

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 18, 2025

4. Rest Area

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.