Montage of Washington State Park scenes
spacer

Historic Preservation Program
Officers' Row at Fort Columbia State Park, sloped grass area in front, trees in background

Washington state parks feature a wide range of historic properties representing major themes of state history. These properties connect visitors to our heritage in a meaningful way, providing a tangible link to our past. The care of historic properties has been an integral part of the State Parks' mission since the origin of the agency in 1913, and continues today. State Parks manages more than 600 identified historic properties throughout the state, one of the largest collections managed by a single agency in the state of Washington.

Historic Properties

State Parks' historic properties represent major themes in the state's history, from pioneer structures to the coastal defense fortifications to the parks developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Many of these properties have been formally listed on the National Register of Historic Places, yet there are many state parks with significant historic properties open to the public.

  • House interior showing antique clock and photos on wall and mantel Early Settlement Heritage Sites
    The picturesque buildings of Fort Simcoe, located within the tribal lands of the Yakama Nation, were built in 1857 to help keep peace between settlers and Native peoples. Olmstead Place near Ellensburg is an authentic early Washington farm with an original 1875 homestead cabin, a 1908 farmhouse and historic barns and sheds. Other historic homes include the Rothschild House (Fort Worden) and the John R. Jackson House (Lewis and Clark).

  • Monochrome historic photo of military personnel posing by upward pointing 12 inch mortars Coastal Fortifications
    Several coastal military forts, most of them dating from the turn of the 20th century, now serve as historic state parks. Fort Columbia and Fort Worden survive almost fully intact, but all - Fort Casey, Fort Flagler, Fort Ebey, Manchester and Fort Canby at Cape Disappointment - have at least some original structures and wonderful water views.

  • Log and stone constructed Millersylvania Bath House set amidst trees Civilian Conservation Corps
    Washington State Parks benefited tremendously from the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal relief program that put young men to work during the Great Depression. Many log-and-stone bathhouses, picnic shelters and ranger's houses built by the CCC during the 1930s are still in active use. Good examples can be seen at Deception Pass, Moran, Millersylvania and Riverside. A "Three Cs" bathhouse at Deception Pass has been converted into a CCC interpretive center.