6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great reference for the inquisitive, June 14, 2002
This review is from: Washington State Place Names (Paperback)
Some people can travel through or even live in a place without wondering about its history or the origin of its name. I'm not like that, which is what makes this book such an interesting and useful tool -- whether traveling here in Washington, or just browsing at home.
I mean, you gotta wonder: Is Humptulips as vaguely rude as it sounds? Who or what was Sedro Wooley? Who fought whom at Battle Ground? Did Startup get its name because that's where you 'start up' into the mountains (and what if you're coming the other direction)? And what about the whole Snohomish-Skykomish-Swinomish-Suquamish-Skokomish-Sammamish mess? This book is an excellent reference for getting to the bottom of it all. Not only cities and towns, but mountains, counties, rivers -- nearly everything with a name (except roads, bridges, and buildings) is listed here.
I do have to note, though, that although this book has been updated at least through the 1990s, it neglects to mention that King County, Washington, was 'renamed' in 1986. It no longer honors former US vice president William Rufus de Vane King, but is in fact now named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (this is true; you can look it up). Apart from that oversight, though, I recommend this title highly for people like me who can't help wondering why where they are, is what it is.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent read for Native Northwesterners, February 17, 1998
This review is from: Washington State Place Names (Paperback)
This book is not only educational, it's also entertaining. Learn why Auburn isn't called Slaughter anymore, and what the original names of that town we call Bellingham really were. Anyone with a historical bent will love this book.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for anyone curious about their surroundings, August 23, 1998
This review is from: Washington State Place Names (Paperback)
You can't drive through Washington, watch tv news or read a newspaper without this book. Along w/ a map, you can become a true Washingtonian. This book is fascinating.
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