9 New Heritage Corridors for King County
May 22, 2009 — By June of this year, Preservation 4Culture and King County's Road Services Division (RSD), in collaboration with King County Historic Preservation Program, will have wrapped up a two-year long grant project focusing on the research and identification of historic and scenic corridors in unincorporated King County. Funded through a Federal Transportation Enhancement Program grant, 4Culture provided project management services for this effort including the history of the county's road system, and the survey, inventory and identification of the "Heritage Corridors."
Through this process, nine Historic and Scenic Corridors have been identified as having unique qualities that contribute to the distinctive identity and history of King County. These corridors spread throughout the south (Enumclaw & Green Valley), north (Skykomish), east (Snoqualmie Valley & Snoqualmie Pass) and west (Vashon & Maury Islands), representing the county's multi-layered and diverse regional history. Contributing features consist of narrow lanes that hug the contours of the land; connectivity between some of the oldest communities in the county; views of significant historic sites and structures along the road; views of quintessential northwest landscapes and turn-of-the century farmscapes. A detailed report of the survey and identification of these corridors will be released in early summer of 2009. A list of the nine recommended "Heritage Corridors", including maps, photos, and other educational materials are available now on the Historic and Scenic Corridors Project website.
As part the project's overall preservation goals, Road Services Division will also nominate the eight "Heritage Corridors" that reside within the county's jurisdiction for designation as community landmarks - an honorary designation bestowed on special places within the county. The King County Landmarks Commission will hold a public hearing on the Heritage Corridors community landmark nomination on Thursday, June 25, 7:00 p.m., at High Point Village in Enumclaw. The annual John D. Spellman Historic Preservation Awards, held at Meadowbrook farm on Friday, May 29, will also celebrate preservation efforts focusing on transportation as this year's theme, and all are welcome to attend.
For more information on the Historic and Scenic Corridors project, contact Ruth Harvey at 206 296.3477.
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