Military Road Project

Before the “Charge” – Pickett and Military Road

One of the most heavily-used routes through South King County today is also one of the very oldest roads in Washington State, and it was built by men who achieved the pinnacle of national prominence in their day. Four historical societies in South King County to draw attention to the historical significance of Military Road.

On Saturday, April 27, at 2 PM, the Highline Historical Society is hosting a presentation of “General George Pickett, His Life & Times” at Global Connections High School cafeteria (Tyee campus), 4424 S 188th Street, SeaTac. National Park Service interpretive ranger Michael Vouri will give a lively, one-man performance of Pickett’s life.

Pickett was one of the junior officers sent out to the Pacific Northwest to help build Military Road in the 1850s. Civil War buffs may recognize him as the fellow who, ten years later, led the doomed Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Other officers who became important figures in the Civil War were surveying and building military routes in Washington Territory at the same time as Pickett – Ulysses Grant, Philip Sheridan and George McClellan, to name a few. And our own Military Road, which stretched from Fort Vancouver to Fort Bellingham, might never have been built had its funding not been championed by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who served in President Franklin Pierce’s Cabinet in the 1850s, and wanted to ensure that settlers in the Northwest were protected from “Indian troubles.”

Soldiers who surveyed the Military Road route followed ridgelines to afford the strategic advantage of good visibility. They built “cord roads” of felled timber, and camped and fished at local lakes, including Five Mile Lake in Federal Way and Angle Lake in SeaTac.

The section of Military Road from Fort Steilacoom to Seattle, including the route through Highline, was finished in 1860, the same year Lincoln was elected President. A year later, Jefferson Davis disavowed his U.S. affiliation to become president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

In conjunction with the 150-year anniversary of the Civil War, the Highline Historical Society, Tukwila Historical Society, Greater Kent Historical Society and Historical Society of Federal Way are all sponsoring programs that bring these stories to light.

“General George Pickett, His Life & Times” runs an hour and a quarter in length, and is suitable for families with middle school and high school students. Admission is free for students, for Highline Historical Society members with membership ID, and for Highline School District employees with employment ID. A donation of $5 is requested of all others.

For more information about the Highline Historical Society, visit www.highlinehistory.org.

Jefferson Davis and the making of Military Road

Thanks to the editor Mark Klaas and the Kent Reporter for this great story about a program that
historian Karen Meador recently presented at the Kent Senior Activity Center. Click here: http://www.kentreporter.com/community/192352461.html

The Civil War in Washington Territory

We’re very excited to announce the first program coming out of the Military Road/Civil War Sesquicentennial Project, a joint undertaking of four local historical societies.

On Saturday, October 27, at 11:30 AM, the Historical Society of Federal Way is proud to present Dr. Lorraine McConaghy who will speak on “The Civil War in Washington Territory.” Her talk will take place at the Federal Way Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way.

The Civil War was not just about battles, it was about issues, too — and the people of Washington Territory fully participated in the debate. Now, during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, you can learn more about the hot topics of that era — territorial attitudes regarding race and slavery, agitation for northwest secession, and federal suppression of freedom of the press.

McConaghy, public instructor for the Museum of History & Industry as well as an instructor at the University of Washington, gives a lively presentation. In addition, Civil War re-enactor Carl Hicks will be on hand, dressed in uniform and displaying items that a Civil War era soldier would have used.

Please join us for this free program, which has been generously funded by the Friends of the Federal Way Libraries and the Historical Society of Federal Way.

An Unlikely Champion: Jefferson Davis and the Pacific Northwest

The Civil War Sesquicentennial has resulted in a renewed interest in America’s most storied and poignant chapter. ”From Civil War to Civil Rights” is the topic of the 64th Annual Pacific Northwest History Conference which is taking place on October 19-20 at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. A number of noted historians will be speaking on a range of topics concerning the often-overlooked role of the Pacific Northwest in the Civil War and its continuing legacy through to the Civil Rights Movement.

On Friday, October 19, SE King County historian Karen Meador will be speaking on “An Unlikely Champion: Jefferson Davis and the Pacific Northwest,” relating the future Confederate President’s considerable role in the settlement of the Pacific Northwest, including the construction of Military Road, right here in South King County. (Note: she will be giving a similar program early next year for the Greater Kent Historical Society.) For the Conference’s full program and online registration, see: www.washingtonhistory.org/heritageServices/conferences.aspx.

Military Road – at the crossroads of history

Four local historical societies are collaborating on a project to draw attention to the remarkable history of a road that is often traveled by many of us who live in South King County. Did you know that Military Road is one of the very oldest roads in the State of Washington? And that it was built by some of the people who went on to make names for themselves in the Civil War?

Learn more about the work being undertaken by the Historical Society of Federal Way, the Greater Kent Historical Society, the Highline Historical Society and the Tukwila Historical Society to make sure that the significance of this road is not forgotten.

Take a peek at the brochure that we are beginning to circulate:

That is why, in conjunction with the 150-year anniversary of the Civil War, we are planning programs, exhibits, and other events along the road, and we welcome individuals or businesses who want to sponsor any of these activities. Contact info@sococulture.org.