Photograph scanned with permission from original in private collection.
This is Sumas, WA. circa 1891. The shadows show us it is the late afternoon. This photograph is facing south-east, taken from on top of Moe's Hill, just south of the international boundary. The main business road runs north (left) and south (right) following the railroad track. Notice the railcar parked in front of the false front building. The building is located facing west on Railroad Avenue and is one block west of the future Cherry Street (the current business district).
This is the earliest of the photographs I have seen of Sumas from the top of Moe's Hill. It is the first of a wonderful group all taken from the same general location.
What an interesting picture. I wonder what the 2 story building in the back middle left is . Looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. After you pointed out the building, I tried to find the same building in some of the other photos. I was hoping to see it in the Sumas 1908 photograph (See posting) and I just can't cant pick it out. Either I am just not seeing it or it was no longer there. I will keep looking for it. Maybe someone else can shed light on the subject.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb. Sumas was platted in 1889 in time for the BBBC railroad coming to the border. However, the town of Barkerville was platted earlier. Barker was a realtor in Whatcom that knew about the railroad so he platted the town right along the border so his railroad depot would be the first one in line. the first 3 blocks going south from the border were Barkerville and Sumas was platted along the south side. Moe Hill was originally called Barker Hill. Within a short time, Barkerville and Sumas merged. Sumas was the only crossing into the U S from Canada that would process persons of Asian decent and they had to be quarantined for at least 10 days. The quarantine "house" sat on the side of Barker Hill right next to the border. There were two train depots in Sumas, one for the BB&BC and one for the Seattle, Lakeshore and Eastern. The BB&BC depot was closer to the border.
ReplyDeleteHi Wes, Thanks for sharing. I have a really great photograph of the quarantine house and am currently waiting for permission to post it from the owner of the copyright.
DeleteDeb, this is all great stuff. As you know, I have quite a number of photos and will lend them to you for this when you come over.
ReplyDeleteI really excited to see what you have. I am anxious to get over your way.
DeleteDoes anyone have info on the Emil Freiner family? They lived in Sumas in the early 1890s.
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