The idea for lamp post banners began with the proposal pictured on the left. (Please click to enlarge it.) As a Snohomish history buff, I felt it was important to mark the 150th Anniversary of the county’s founding, especially since Snohomish won the election in July 1861 to host the county seat. E. C. Ferguson returned to Snohomish that July with the county records in his vest pocket. His home overlooking the river, and still standing, was de facto the first Snohomish County courthouse.
Proposed Banner Designs
Pictured above, beginning on the left is Pilchuck Julia, our famous native resident; E. C. Ferguson, the city’s founder; John Harvey farmed the claim across the river; Mary Low Sinclair the first white woman to make the early settlement her home; Isaac Cathcart, an influential business man; and Euncie Blackman is the daughter of Elhanan pictured in the final banner with his brothers from Maine.
Selected Banner Designs
The selected banners included the design for a simpler graphic banner, “since not everyone likes history,” I remember someone saying, and the clockface banner was approved.
This was a volunteer project for the Historic Downtown Snohomish organization.
Your comments and questions are welcomed.
