Watson Allen's Mill

In 1873, Watson Allen built the first sawmill in this area, at the mouth of Tokul Creek, which is shown on the 1877 map of the Washington Territory. The mill used water from the creek to power the saw with an overshoot water wheel. The first lumber cut at the mill was used to build the fiirst school at The Landing (early name for Fall City). Watson Allen's property and sawmill were later deeded to Jeremiah Borst, in repayment for monies owed by Allen.

The following is an excerpt from an interview with Nancy Moore, about 15 years old, as quoted in the Valley Record, June 25, 1953:

The Mill was interesting, as it was the first lumber mill anywhere near Fall City. It was run by water power. Mr Allen had constructed a dam as the power source, a flume and millrace. There was no floor in the mill. There was a tramway on which the logs were sawed. The sawing was done by the Indians. Slabs were cut from four sides of the logs, which were then run up to the Indians, who kept turning the logs up to the saw.

Totem Garden Signs

One of the focal points for Fall City since the early 1930s has been the 43-foot totem pole which stands at the west edge of town. The original totem pole was carved by Hugh Hinds, drawing on inspiration from legends and carvings of the Haida, who live along the coast of British Columbia. It was erected in 1934 and dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Julia Harshman.

In 1964 the totem pole blew down during a violent windstorm, and serious rot was discovered. After repairs, it was erected again in 1967. But by 1981, it was evident that major restoration was needed and the pole was again taken down.

In 1982, when the original totem pole was deemed unrepairable, the Fall City Business and Professional Association commissioned Herman Williams, of the Tulalip tribe, to carve a replacement pole, following the same story as the original. In June 1982, the 30-foot replacement pole was erected.

In 1997, Richard Kirby and a team from Chief Kanim Middle School began restoring the original pole. In 1999, the Fall City Boy Scout Troup #425 joined the effort and the project became a remarkable community effort. More detailed accounts of the project may be found in Jack's History of Fall City. In August 2001, the original Fall City Totem Pole was once again installed.

Two historic signs were erected in 2005 in Totem Garden Park at the base of the pole. One tells the history of the pole and the other the story depicted by the pole.