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Shoreline archaeological and historic resources

Shoreline archaeological and historic resources

How are archaeological and historic resources defined?

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.

Why are archaeological and historic resources included in shoreline management?

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.

What types of shoreline archaeological and historic resources exist in King County?

Cedar- Sammamish River

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

  • Upper Cedar basin
  • Lower Cedar
  • Sammamish River, in and near Redmond
  • Marymoor Park
  • Bear and Evans creeks.
  • Lower Cedar basin, Maple Valley
  • Upper Cedar, Landsburg
  • Bear Creek
  • Middle/lower stretches of Evans Creek
  • Willowmoor Farm (now Marymoor) is at the head of the Sammamish

Duwamish-Green River

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

  • Middle Green
  • Howard Hanson Reservoir
  • Newaukum Creek
  • Mill Creek
  • Duwamish
  • Enumclaw Plateau
  • Green River and its major tributaries
  • South Park, between Kent and Auburn

Skykomish & Snoqualmie Rivers

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

  • Snoqualmie River, between Tokul Creeks and Carnation
  • Middle and south forks and the main steam of the Snoqualmie
  • North Fork and Lower Tolt rivers
  • Miller River
  • Foss River

White River

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.

Puget Sound (Vashon/Maury)

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

  • Quartermaster Harbor
  • Judd Creek Bridge
  • Quartermaster Harbor
  • Burton
  • Dockton

For more information about shoreline management in King County, please contact Laura Casey, environmental scientist, Department of Local Services.

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