The Woodbrook Hunt Club, cofounded in 1926 by Maj. J. H. Mathews and Thornwood Estate superintendent Thomas Bryan, is the oldest fox-hunting club west of the Mississippi. Horses have long played an important historical role on the prairies south of Tacoma. The Nisqually Indians were the first to ride horses on the Nisqually Prairie in the early 1800s, followed by the Hudsons Bay Company and horse-race activities in the 1840s. The establishment of Fort Lewis in 1917 has protected this unique prairie ecosystem, resulting in a longstanding partnership with the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Today the club continues its rich tradition on the last remaining three percent of native prairie in the Puget Sound Corridor.

Lake City and Tillicum began as two communities separated by American Lake. Although they later joined with other surrounding neighborhoods to become part of the City of Lakewood, American Lake remains the treasured focal point of the region. The largest of twelve lakes in the Lakes District, American Lake was once envisioned by Tacoma developers as an ideal resort location. But their grandiose dreams came to a crashing halt with the Panic of 1893. Author Nancy Covert explores the little-known history of American Lake, weaving together stories from lifelong residents. Their tales recall a simpler time, when money earned from paper routes paid for seaplane flight lessons and dancing at the Lakeside Country Club was a favorite pastime. Join Covert for a vivid look back at life on American Lake.

The 20-square-mile expanse of picturesque lakes and Douglas fir groves in which Lakewood is nestled was first known as "The Prairie," a vital crossroads between the Columbia River Gorge and Vancouver, British Columbia, for British fur traders and Native Americans. Fort Steilacoom became a stronghold of American interests before, during, and after the Indian War of 1855-1856 and was a crucible for men who would figure prominently in the Civil War. The prairie and the Lakes District later grew into a playground for Tacoma's wealthy. On one end of Lakewood, racers such as Barney Oldfield and Eddie Rickenbacker entertained tens of thousands; while on the other end, health care professionals at Western State Hospital sought answers to mental illness. Lakewood still boasts the first golf club in the West--the Tacoma Country and Golf Club--and the internationally known Lakewold Gardens.

compiled by workers of the Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration in the state of Washington ; sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society. Rev. ed. /$bwith added material by Howard McKinley Corning.