A Brief History of the Prairie
By June (Donnie) Weeks
March 2000

Along the shores of Puget Sound, at the mouth of Chambers and Sequaletchew Creek, the native population of this area spent their winters near the endless supply of shellfish and salmon. When the summer came, they moved “up on the prairie” to hunt small game and eat from the abundant berries and roots, which could be found there. Each fall, to insure the return of the berries, they burned the grasses, chasing after the flames, to enjoy the small critters left behind.>

The Hudson Bay Company found it fitting to establish a fur trading post in the area in 1832, trading furs with the native tribes and as time passed many of the company men took native wives. As the population increased, the Hudson Bay Company traded with the locals for hand split shakes, which were then shipped to California. With the treaty of Ghent (1880), the British and immigrating Americans existed on the prairie in joint tenancy. As more and more settlers arrived, the native habit of summer prairie fires became increasingly dangerous to the resident population and was prohibited. >

In 1846, our national border was established at the 49th parallel. The Hudson Bay Company interests were purchased for $650,000, and were reborn as the Puget Sound Agriculture Company. Early land developers described this area of Pierce County as the most naturally endowed land on Puget Sound - a gently rolling land with an inspiring view of Mount Rainier from most any location and sprinkled with crystal lakes. The prairie abounded in wildflowers and berries as well as deer, elk, and bear. Not mentioned was the fact that the soil was rocky and not much good for growing oats, potatoes, or field peas, however, grazing of sheep and cattle prospered. Despite the fact that farming opportunities were poor, settlers continued to stake out their claims all the while struggling with the weather and their relationship with the native population. Clearing trees was not a problem as the earlier custom of burning the prairie prevented much growth, except for clumps of sturdy Garry Oak.>

The U.S. Army came to reside at Fort Steilacoom in August 1849. Early settler, Andrew Byrd built a dam on Chambers Creek in 1854 to power a sawmill. He later added a gristmill. The swampy land behind the dam became Lake Steilacoom. A major impact on the prairie was the choice of Tacoma as the terminus for a trans-continental railroad in 1873. Eastern wealth was introduced to Tacoma and for the city’s residents the prairie became a summer recreational destination. At first, the summer visitors built small shelter-type cabins along the shores of the many lakes. It was not long before grand estates, year-round homes and a golf and country club gave the prairie a new identity as the “Lakes District.”

Chester Thorn built a Tudor manor house on the shore of American Lake in 1909 to 1911. New bricks were used, but an oak front door, paneling, and a grand staircase were shipped from Europe. Included in the new construction was a collection of stained glass windows dating from earliest times in Europe. Grand scale entertaining and tea dancing became the order of the day.

By the early thirties, not only was the “Lakes District” host to grand and well-established manor houses, but to a growing number of summer homes owned by many of Tacoma’s established families. During the depression, expensive Tacoma residences were sold and the smaller cabins on the lakes became year-round homes. From 1905 until 1927, streetcars ran from Tacoma to Lake City and a little longer time to Tillicum. Iva Alice Mann united very distinct neighborhood school districts to form the first consolidated high school district in the state, Clover Park School District No. 400. Self-reliance, volunteer leadership, and independence were the hallmarks of the growing population.

In 1937 Norton Clapp, an outstanding volunteer and leader, developed Lakewood Center as one of the first suburban shopping centers. “Getting so you don’t have to go to town for a thing!” was the observation of local residents. A newspaper, The Lakewood Log, began regular publication, spurring the social and civic-minded to action. Privately owned water wells were brought together to form the Lakewood Water District and 475 names were gathered on a petition to create Pierce County Fire Protection District #2. It was not long before the “Lakes District” began to be referred to as “Lakewood.”

World War II and the Korean War made as big an impact on the district as did the coming of the railroad, some fifty years earlier. The civilian work force required to support the military build up as well as to work in the shipyards of Tacoma drew more people to the Lakewood area. Many military families came to enjoy the available recreation, the beauty of the mountain, and bought homes with retirement in mind. The long years of military occupation in the Far East brought many Asians to be added to the population mix.

During the 60’s and 70’s, a hospital was built, and public library, a community college had its beginnings, a sheriff’s sub-station was opened, and a child guidance clinic grew to become the Greater Lakes Mental Health Center. The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce was organized and the county was offered its first land-use plan for the area. On February 28, 1996, the city of Lakewood was incorporated, in the County of Pierce and the State of Washington.

Knowing the past is a key to action in the future. Growth and change will continue to come to the prairie and the City of Lakewood.