Old Blewett Pass Highway

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Top of the Hill Inn, Blewett Pass (circa 1925)

Posted by Jeff. You can email me at: rumblefish351@aim.com at 10:41 PM No comments:

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Stu's Lunch at the Summit of Blewett Pass 1952

Posted by Jeff. You can email me at: rumblefish351@aim.com at 4:32 PM No comments:
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Save Blewett Pass History

If you like this site, please donate some money to help support the continuation of this webpage. We are committed to preserving the rich history of the Blewett Pass region. Donations pay for photo and travel costs, library research and website fees. Thank you.
Historic Blewett Pass Highway
Old Blewett Pass Road
Blewett Pass Rd
Swauk Pass
US 97

Dedicated to the memory of my Grandmother: Frankie (Pittman) West Holman

Dedicated to the memory of my Grandmother: Frankie (Pittman) West Holman

Dedicated to the memory of my Mother: Beverly Jean (West) Johnsen

Dedicated to the memory of my Mother: Beverly Jean (West) Johnsen
Automobile on Blewett Pass. The writing on the photo says: Blewett Pass 10 miles east of summit, Jul 1926



Jewel Sinclair helped save the historic mining arrastra near Blewett when US 97 was built

Jewel Sinclair helped save the historic mining arrastra near Blewett when US 97 was built

An early auto caravan on the rugged road over Blewett Pass

A mine on a hillside near Blewett

A mine on a hillside near Blewett

Should the historic Blewett Pass Highway be restored and preserved?


Vintage sign in Liberty, WA

Vintage sign in Liberty, WA








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      • Top of the Hill Inn, Blewett Pass (circa 1925)
      • Stu's Lunch at the Summit of Blewett Pass 1952
    • ►  April (1)

About Me

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Jeff. You can email me at: rumblefish351@aim.com
* Named Portland's Best Web Historian by Willamette Week in 2016 *
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The text on the picture below says: Showing the Road Grade on Blewett Pass


Loop in the road on Blewett Pass

Loop in the road on Blewett Pass

Evolution at Echo Point

Notice the changes in the roadway and guard rails in the following 3 photos. The roadway changes from dirt to pavement. The road changes from a single lane to a 2-lane road. The guard rails are also different (first none, then wooden and finally post and cable). Finally, the last photo shows a road that has a white center line to divide the lanes. These pictures were taken from different postcards.




Taken from a postcard. Back of card says: Jun 25 1953 Peshastin Cafe

Taken from a postcard. Back of card says: Jun 25 1953 Peshastin Cafe

The Sleepy Hollow Cabin Camp

This dwelling was a landmark on the old highway for many years. Located on Peshastin Creek, the Sleepy Hollow cabin was a not a log cabin, but rather, a rough sawn slab house. This unique home was owned by Jewel Sinclair from 1949 to 1962. Not seen in the photo is the garage which was constructed from the timbers taken from the Blewett Stamp Mill when it was torn down. The Sleepy Hollow Camp also had 3 small cabins behind it. The cabin had a small gift shop in the front where one could buy postcards, polished rocks and other souvenirs. There was also a guest book for visitors to sign. The Sleepy Hollow cabin was torn down many years ago however, the garage still remains.

Blewett Pass Highway Time Line

1860 Gold discovered in Peshastin Creek
1874 First quartz claim staked along Peshastin Creek
1878 Stamp mill constructed and shacks built at Peshastin Mining Camp
1890's Peshastin Mining Camp now has a hotel, general store, post office, 2 saloons, stamp mill and miner shacks
1891 Wagon road built between Mountian Home and Peshastin Mining Camp
1892 Blewett Mining Co buys major interest in Peshastin Mines
1893 Town officially named Blewett
1897 US Geological Survey names wagon rd "Blewett Pass"
1898 Road to Peshastin completed with stage lines running 3 times a week
1905 Blewett stamp mill closes
1905 First automobile crosses Snowqualmie Pass
1912 Sunset Hwy construction begins
1915 Sunset Hwy section between Seattle and Ellensburg opened
1922 Sunset Hwy rerouted over Blewett Pass
1924 Blewett Pass Hwy section completed
1925 Blewett Pass Hwy paved
1956 Blewett Pass Hwy realigned and rebuilt thru Swauk Pass (current US 97)
1991 Blewett Pass renamed Swauk Pass by WSDOT
1992 Swauk Pass changed back to Blewett Pass by State and Federal Boards
1999 TV cameras installed by WSDOT at Blewett summit





If you have information you would like to share, questions or comments, please email me at: rumblefish351@aim.com

References:

The Evolution of Interstate 90 Between Seattle and Missoula, Erick Johnson, EWU, 2006
Swauk Basin History, Wesley C. Engstrom, 2006
The Wenatchee World Newspaper, multiple articles
40 years with the Washington Dept of Highways, WSDOT, 2008
Passes To The North, History of the Wenatchee Mountains, Edson Dow, 1963

Special Thanks To:

Frankie West Holman
Beverly Jean (West) Johnsen
Pat Morris (Leavenworth Library)
Paul (Peshastin Library)
Kerry (Wenatchee N Central Library)
Gordon Sinclair
Jerry Isenhart
US Forest Service
Wesley C. Engstrom
Mark (Bonney Lake)
Chris (Blewett pictures)