Washington State has a rich history. Known for its stunning natural beauty and diversity, Washington was populated for centuries by a large number of Native American tribes. Explored by British sea captains in the late eighteenth century, the region was opened in the early nineteenth century with the aid of explorers Lewis and Clark. With the coming of the railroads, cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane grew rapidly, while other communities sprouted up around the state. From coal mining in King County and logging in the deep forests, to farming in the Palouse and fishing on the Columbia, everyday men and women attempted to carve a living. With a selection of fine historic images from his best-selling book, Historic Photos of Washington State, Dale E. Soden provides a valuable and revealing historical retrospective on the growth and development of Washington State. Selected from several archival collections, these photographs include a number of images from two of Washington’s best-known photographers, brothers Edward and Asahel Curtis. Published in striking black-and-white, Remembering Washington State reveals the history of what has become one of the most intriguing states in the nation.

Washington State has a rich history. Known for its stunning natural beauty and diversity, Washington was populated for centuries by a large number of Native American tribes. Explored by British sea captains in the late eighteenth century, the region was opened in the early nineteenth century with the aid of explorers Lewis and Clark. With the coming of the railroads, cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane grew rapidly, while other communities sprouted up around the state. From coal mining in King County and logging in the deep forests, to farming in the Palouse and fishing on the Columbia, everyday men and women attempted to carve a living. Historic Photos of Washington State provides a compelling visual record of this past. Selected from several archival collections, these photographs include a number of images from two of Washington’s best-known photographers, brothers Edward and Asahel Curtis. Published in striking black-and-white, these images reveal the history of what has become one of the most intriguing states in the nation.

When the Reverend Mark Allison Matthews died in February 1940, thousands of mourners gathered at a Seattle church to pay their final respects. The Southern-born Presbyterian came to Seattle in 1902. He quickly established himself as a city leader and began building a congregation that was eventually among the nation's largest, with nearly 10,000 members. Throughout his career, he advocated Social Christianity, a blend of progressive reform and Christian values, as a blueprint for building a morally righteous community.

In telling Matthews's story, Dale Soden presents Matthews's multiple facets: a Southern-born, fundamentalist proponent of the Social Gospel; a national leader during the tumultuous years of schism within the American Presbyterian church; a social reformer who established day-care centers, kindergartens, night classes, and soup kitchens; a colorful figure who engaged in highly public and heated disputes with elected officials. Much of the controversy that surrounded Matthews centered on the proper relationship between church and state -- an issue that is still hotly debated.