Morton Historical Society & Visitor Center, Historic Train Depot & Museum

07/22/2024

Coleman Family Exhibit Grand Opening

07/20/2024

This is happening tonight. It should be lots of fun and laughs. Plus there will be food. Hamburgers or nachos.

07/14/2024

Are you looking for something to do? We are open today until 3 pm. Want to learn about the big fire 100 years ago? We have an exhibit up about that plus more. So stop by and say hi.

07/12/2024

07/10/2024

July 10th 1910 (114 years ago) was a significant day for the pioneers living in the Morton area. This was the day the train finally arrived. Prior to 1910 the train only went approx. 8 miles beyond Mineral to Glenavon. From there it was another 5 rugged miles to Morton by wagon or walking. As the town grew and logging activities grew it was decided to extend the rail line all the way into Morton. This truly was no easy task as this required building tracks through mountainous country, deep canyons and over a river and many streams.

The arrival meant many things for the residents. Until this day it took days for someone to reach the “outside world” to make deliveries or pick up supplies or people. Once the train made it to Morton it allowed the residents and families to travel back and forth to Tacoma or any of the stops in between. In turn this allowed other family members to move to the area since traveling was a little easier. The arrival also meant that the train could carry lumber out and bring in needed food and essential goods including vital medical supplies.

The train was vital as it allowed Morton to become the “Tie Capital of the World”. At the end of WWII the Morton area had many, possibly hundreds, of small backwood mills that supplied the essential railroad ties to rebuild destroyed railroad tracks throughout the world. An interesting story is that in 1941 a news article states that 4 British ships were torpedoed and sunk somewhere in the Atlantic ocean. One ship alone was carrying 90 carloads of ties that were cut and shipped from Morton. Altogether 400 car loads of English ties were recently cut and shipped from local tie docks.

Later the train also helped serve the Kosmos Timber Company. The timber company was deeded the right-of-way east of Morton from the Milwaukee Railway. This allowed the timber company to have their own railroad into Morton and be able to ship their logs/lumber to Tacoma.

Unfortunately as time passed the roads in and out of Morton improved greatly and so cars and trucks began to out rank trains as the preferred mode of transportation. Over time the train was just used to ship out lumber from the mills. In 1980 the last train left Morton. Between 1980 and 1995 the tracks fell into disrepair. However with some work the line was reopened in 1995 and for approx. 7 years the track served the local mills and shipped out lumber. The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad came into Morton a few times.

At this time no train comes into Morton. After 2002 the tracks again fell into disrepair due to flooding taking sections of track out in a few places and damaging trestles between Morton and Mineral. Hopefully someday Morton residents will again see a train in Morton. But back in 1910 the Depot and train became the hub of the remote area and helped make life a little easier for those living in the area.

07/10/2024

Meeting today, July 10th, starting at 5:30 PM at 194 Main Ave. Anyone is welcome to attend and new members accepted anytime!

07/07/2024

Today is a good day to come visit the Museum. We are open until 3. We have new exhibits and A.C.

06/27/2024

Bremer/Morton Post Office.

Bremer Post Office was established June 7, 1890 with George Bremer. He ran it until late 1908 when Mrs. Sarah C. Parnell took over. Sarah had ran the Tildon (Tilton) Post Office from 1882-1891. Next to take over was Mrs. Georgia Knox in 1918 followed by Mrs. Mina Linn in 1922. It was renamed Cinebar in 1923. There is a good chance this post office was served from Napavine as at that time it was the town nearest a rail point, later it would be Chehalis. It is believed that a route was opened from Napavine to Cora (near Randle). Cinebar, Bremer, Morton, Verndale, Vance, Cora and Sulphur Springs (near Packwood) were on a star route in 1898. One carrier would go to Morton on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Returning on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The other carrier would have a similar schedule to Sulphur Springs and back. After the railroad came to Morton, the Morton office was served by rail and the Chehalis route extended only to Bremer.
Morton Post Office was established in 1890. James Kelso was the Post Master until early 1891 when Lewis F. Reed took over. The following were also Post Masters:
Francis M. Wilson - 1896
George Hopgood - 1898
Henry C. Temple - 1906
Joseph C. McAllister - 1908
Noel D. Tower - 1909
John M. Jones - 1915
Noel D. Tower - 1922
Mrs. Zelda Ellis - 1931
Milton Waste - 1936
Mrs. Eldora Schmuck - 1958
Delmer E. Eck - 1960

Before the Morton Post Office was established, the settlers had to travel 23 miles on a difficult trail to Tilton (Tildon). Usually one person would make the trip bringing the mail back for everyone. As settlement increased the need for a post office grew. A petition for a post office was started with the name McKinley being chosen. Unfortunately that name was already in use in the state and so another name had to be chosen. The settlers settled on Morton i honor of Levi Parsons Morton, Vice President at the time.
For many years the post office moved locations. Each time someone took over they would move it to their home and/or place of business.
James Kelso combined the post office with his residence and small general store. Lewis Reed bought Kelso's stock and moved it and the post office 150 feet west. Mr. Wilson ran it from his home, which was near Reed's store. George Hopgood took the post office to his homestead, where he maintained it in conjunction with a small store. Mr. McAllister had a cubbyhole in his general store. John Jones moved it to East Morton. Noel Tower had the post office near 3rd and Main. Around 1933 the lower floor of the Masonic Temple was remodeled for post office quarters. Unfortunately the building was destroyed by fire in 1951. A new post office building was built and occupied in 1952. That building still stands and is now a laundromat.

The information for this post office highlights was taken from the book "Postmarked Washington - Lewis and Cowlitz Counties" by Guy R. Ramsey.

Send a message to learn more

06/14/2024

Warm appreciation and many thanks from all the Members to Sharlotte Hendrickson for her duration as President and a warm welcome to Dan Mortensen as our new President.

05/26/2024

We are open today until 3pm

05/25/2024

Did you know that there is no charge for the museum(s)?

However, donations are gladly accepted.

Send a message to learn more

05/24/2024

Special thanks to Northwest Home Center, Inc. for adding some colorful beauty to our building & also for donating the glass for our commemorative BNSF train plates featured in our historic train depot!

05/19/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=854836356685427&id=100064772108415&mibextid=Nif5oz

05/19/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1204727040914696&id=100041322350871&mibextid=Nif5oz

Paradise Inn is officially open for the season! We can't wait to see you! May 18 to Sept 30!

05/08/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100063570817163/posts/956587873136898/?mibextid=Nif5oz

We're getting ready for opening day at our beautiful Leonard “Bud” Allen Park/Cowlitz Falls Campground! It opens for the season on May 17th! For more information about the campground, visit https://www.lcpud.org/recreation/campground/

04/20/2024

State of Washington Tourism Guide

The official travel and tourism website for the State of Washington. Find visitor guides, travel inspiration, and planning tools for your next vacation

04/20/2024

Road to Paradise is open 24 hours, weather dependent.

Regular nightly closure of the gate to Paradise at Longmire has ended for the season. The road can still close at any time due to weather/road conditions. All vehicles are still required to carry tire chains until May 1.

04/12/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=816513573844194&id=100064566769047&mibextid=Nif5oz

Beginning April 9, Washington anglers will see a wave of improvements when they need to find regulations on the go. WDFW launched an upgraded version of the Fish Washington (app), now available to download on both Apple iOS and Android devices. Anglers who already have the Fish Washington app should see an automatic update in the coming days.

Fish Washington is a free mobile application designed to convey up-to-the-minute fishing regulations for every lake, river, stream, and marine area in the state.

The new version is ad-free and fixes common issues that users have reported on both iOS and Android platforms. It also includes many new upgrades. Find the full list of new features and improvements at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/app

01/10/2024

The meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled due to weather conditions. Hope everyone stays safe and warm.

01/04/2024

You know what would look fantastic on your wall? A 2024 Morton Historical Society Calendar! 12 amazing historical photos of the Morton area including logging, the Train Depot, Kosmos post office, school and hospital photos, Hotel Hilts, Jubilee Queens, and more! 12 month calendar including major holidays as well as important historical milestone dates for Lewis county.

Come on down the Morton Museum and pick up a 2024 calendar and support the Morton Historical Society so that we can continue to preserve the precious history of our beloved town and surrounding area.
Located at 194 Main Avenue, open Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 3 PM.

01/02/2024

This was an interesting article.

https://www.facebook.com/100063564411721/posts/868070411988431/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Tomorrow marks a birthday celebration, the date when a well-known Upper Cowlitz woman was born beside the banks of the Cowlitz River near present-day Randle about 170 years ago. Official Yakama …

12/30/2023

The museum is open today. So come on by and say hi. The Potters Grove is also open today

12/26/2023

Don't forget to get your 2024 calendar. You can find them at the museum or at Town and Country Flowers. The cost is $15.

12/26/2023

Are you home today? Still have family staying? Looking for something to do? The museum is open today until 3pm so come and visit.

12/25/2023

12/23/2023

Have you ever wondered how Gust Backstrom park became Gust Backstrom Park? The following is taken from a written history of the beginnings of the park.
Gust Backstrom Park was originally homesteaded by Fred D. Reed in 1882. Folklore, as there appears to be no written history of this, tells that before Mr. Reed homesteaded that the area of the park was being used by a African American man who was said to be a friend of George Washington (founder of Centralia). It is said that he had a cabin, garden and orchard along the Tilton River and that he assisted travelers in the sometimes treacherous fording of the river.
Mr. Reed sold the homestead to Robert Hershelman in April of 1903. Mr. Hershelman turned around and sold it to Stephen Hopgood in May of 1903. Stephen's father, George Hopgood, owned and operated a hotel and store. Hopgood's place was a very important establishment in the upper Tilton Valley. It was centered at a village (Morton) beside the Tilton now known to many as "old town". Mr. Hopgood and his son Stephen were very civic minded men and let the area adjacent from the store be used for recreational activities, assemblies, swimming and other activities. The spot was known as the picnic-celebration center for the area being used not just for townspeople but also for families for miles around.
Many things took place between 1913 and 1941 when Gust Backstrom purchased the land at a Sheriff's sale in 1941. In 1913 a dance pavilion was constructed on the ten acres known at the time as Hopgood Park. In 1920 Ellen Hopgood sold the park to George Thompson. Between Mr. Thompson and Mr. Backstrom there was several owners of the park. Even with different owners the park was used as a staging area for the Loggers Jubilee Parade, picnicking, swimming and camping. A house built by Floyd Justice on the property which was never completely finished until the Historical Society leased the house from the City of Morton to use as a museum.
Mr. Backstrom continued with tradition letting the public use the area and facilities for recreational activities. It has been told that it was suggested to Mr. Backstrom off and on for a few years that he donate the land to the City of Morton. On June 8, 1971 he formally donated the land to the city. The city in turn leased the land back to him to use until his death.
Today the park remains as a gathering place for people to fish, swim, camp and picnic. There is a playground for kids, a ball field, and a covered picnic area along with a variety of camping sites. If you ever get the chance to take a drive or walk through the park just remember that many people over the 100 plus years have walked the same path. I can only image what the park was like in its earlier days.

12/22/2023

Need a last minute present? Or do you know someone who likes trains? Or likes local history? We have you covered. The museum/gift shop is open today until 3pm. We will be open tomorrow from 10-3pm.
See photo for description.

12/16/2023

With Christmas right around the corner are you still looking for that unique gift? Here at the museum we have books and calendar for the history buff. Have a family member who happens to like trains? Looking for a unique shirt or hat? We got that covered. So swing on by and check it out. As an added bonus make sure to check out the Potter's Grove.

12/10/2023

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/3o4zRWTQAcu5DoRd/?mibextid=Cx5MWH

Morton PROS Plan Survey.