William Ward Woodward (1885-1980) was born on December 15th, 1885, in Battle Creek, Michigan, and settled in Darrington, Washington in 1907 with his wife Edith. After arriving in Darrington, he worked as a clerk in a grocery store. Though he didn't attend school, he was able to read, write, and had a keen sense for business, eventually becoming the owner of the Darrington General Store. He spent much of his life in Darrington, raising his two children, managing the General Store, and serving as the first president of the Darrington Improvement Club, which helped to form the town's first volunteer fire department.
Woodward was never formally trained in photography, but has become known for capturing striking images of daily life as well as notable street scenes in Darrington. His photos are often used when researching or discussing the pioneer spirit of the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His work can be found at both the Darrington Historical Society and the University of Washington archives.
In the mountains of Snohomish County, Darrington, Washington, got its name from the flip of a card. Though the land was used traditionally by the Skagit Native Americans as a tribal gathering place and portage named Kudsl Kudsl, it was virtually unknown to white settlers due to its remote location and the fact the area was only accessible by canoe until the first wagon road was built there in 1887.
Beginning in 1890, settlers began feverishly prospecting for gold and set up logging operations in the area, achieving a population large enough for a post office in 1891. The town developed a rough and tumble reputation and a frontier atmosphere, and remained unincorporated until 1945. Today, Darrington is a spot famous for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and other outdoor recreation, and hosts a well-known Bluegrass festival each year.
Photographs of Darrington, Washington, including notable buildings, street scenes, and residents.
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Donor: Ward W. Woodward, January 1, 1973.
Processed by: Michaela Kraft, March 2021.
Â
He was the proprietor of the Darrington general store.
Written on verso: Old car was, according to Ward Woodward, one of the first of the "taxis" used to transport people back and forth from Arlington. (He was unable to identify the people or to confirm the make and year of the car. Perhaps someone who knows antique cars could do the car identification, if it is of interest to you.
Written on verso: Building with car and men in front of it is the old Pioneer Hotel which burned 2/2/69. Man third from right is hotel owner and manager, Henry Keenan- also a Darrington pioneer, coming in 1900 from Ontario, Canada.
Written on verso: Founded in 1906 by A.B. Towne. First building (pictured) built in 1906. Built north of the present Seeman St. at end of Sauk Ave. Church was moved to its present location 1928. New building was built in the 1960's.
Written on verso: Photo of cluster of buildings with horse-drawn cart out front is the old Montague and Moore Store, more properly called the old Moore store since John Montague was in business with Moore in Darrington for only about one year. The store was built in 1899. It was used until the new Moore Store was opened in 1912 or 1913. In the photo you can see part of building on far left, which was the barn. Next from left to right is the warehouse with rooms above for salesmen; butcher shop and main store. Around wagon are left to right, Charles E. Moore; Ward W. Woodward, Moore's nephew; Edith Woodward, Frank Webster, who was delivery man and odd-jobs man; Shep, the store dog; and H.H. Hipes, the butcher.
Written on verso: photo with wooden sidewalk in left foreground, snow etc.: Building on left is general store belonging to Charles Moore, built in 1912 or 1913. The big, two-story building burned down in 1916. Building on right is U.S. Post Office. In center is one of the town's early wells.
Written on verso: Snow scene taken from above: Ward Woodward said that this picture was taken from the high branches of a fir tree. It shows Darrington between 1912 or '13 and 1916. Large building in lower right is Moore's store. Building with verandah is the Leland Hotel. The long side of the hotel faces what is now Darrington Street, the town's business street. The dark building in the center of the picture with the false front second story was Sam Firland's blacksmith shop.
Two-piece panorama of Darrington, apparently between 1912 or 1913 and 1916 because the large Moore Store is pictured. From left, major buildings are Moore's store, post office, then across railroad tracks is Freese's boarding house, run by Emma Mae Freese. Building also contained first permanent barber shop and first telephone switchboard. Large building with porch is Pioneer Hotel. I understand that the building in front of which a group of men is standing was a tavern, but I am not sure which one. The Hotel Leland is across the street.
Up the street from the Leland Hotel, the building with the false front is the old Darrington Store which is still operated as the Minit [sic] Market.
Written on verso: The Clear Creek Ranger Station, built during the tenure of Ranger George Bradner between 1908 and 1910. Photo was apparently taken after Dec. 1910 when John B. Bruckart took over as Darrington District Ranger of Snoqualmie National Forest, of which the Darrington area was then a part.