Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, and above-ground historic buildings, structures, areas and districts that have been formally registered as landmarks or otherwise identified as historically significant. King County and the State maintain inventories of archaeological and historic landmarks. Both are protected by County, State and national regulations.
Roughly half of the nearly 200 state-registered prehistoric archaeological sites in King County lie within two hundred feet of waters of statewide significance (such as village sites).
King County, as part of its role in shoreline management, is required to collect information about archaeological or historic resources that have been identified in the shoreline jurisdiction and contact the state historic preservation office and local affected Indian Tribes.
The Cedar River Watershed primarily includes historic archaeological sites such as homestead sites, railroad grades, logging camps, and dam-construction camps. Archaeological Site & Historic Resource Locations
The Green-Duwamish watershed includes archaeological sites related to coal mining. Railroad, logging and homesteading sites are present. Historic resources are numerous and varied, including railroad and road bridges, river landings, farms, recreation facilities and Japanese-American settlements.
Archaeological Site & Historic Resource Locations
The Snoqualmie-Skykomish Watershed archaeological sites include the sole recorded rock shelter in King County, a village site, residential camps, field camps and resource acquisition sites on US Forest Service lands. Historic archaeological sites are associated with railroads and logging, bridges, and possibly mining-related buildings and structures that have not been inventoried.
Archaeological Site & Historic Resource Locations
Only two archaeological sites have been registered along the White River, both of which are on lower Boise Creek, a possible reflection of the steep canyon topography. However, numerous sites exist along Newaukum Creek and elsewhere on the Enumclaw Plateau, so it is very likely that others exist elsewhere in the Boise Creek watershed.
Prehistoric sites appear to be very dense in protected low-bank marine areas, although only one site is registered on Vashon. Historic resources are numerous and include navigation aids, bridges, waterfront summer cabins, the Marjesira Inn and waterfront community commercial properties.
Archaeological Site & Historic Resource Locations