Union - Washington Ghost Town

UNION

NAME: Union
COUNTY: Mason
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 3
CLIMATE: Cool winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: The town is located east of hiway 101 on SR 106
.
REMAINS: A few original buildings.

Lumbering has been a major part of the economy in the Puget Sound country since 1788. Nearly a century later, there were at least fifty logging camps in the area, most of them buying their supplies from a trading post previously established in 1858. Ownership of the trading post had passed to a John McReavy by 1876. By 1889, the land around the store and hotel had become so well settled it was platted as a town and named Union City. Growth had been slow but steady. Around 1890, rumors spread that Union City would be at the crossroads of several railroads. The town boomed so fast lots that had been worth next to nothing now sold for $1,000 each. So many people moved into the town there was no place for them to live. Further inflation came with the arrival of construction crews and Union Pacific equipment. On the very day work was to start came devastating news. Baring Brothers Bank of London refused further payments of its outstanding debts of twenty-one million pounds, obligations assumed in a web of international finance. The panic of 1893 was on and all railroad work was canceled. The boom was at an end. Union settled back to the simple existence it has since led and dropped the “City” from its name. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

Lumbering has been a major part of the economy in the Puget Sound country since 1788. Nearly a century later, there were at least fifty logging camps in the area, most of them buying their supplies from a trading post previously established in 1858. Ownership of the trading post had passed to a John McReavy by 1876. By 1889, the land around the store and hotel had become so well settled it was platted as a town and named Union City. Growth had been slow but steady. Around 1890, rumors spread that Union City would be at the crossroads of several railroads. The town boomed so fast lots that had been worth next to nothing now sold for $1,000 each. So many people moved into the town there was no place for them to live. Further inflation came with the arrival of construction crews and Union Pacific equipment. On the very day work was to start came devastating news. Baring Brothers Bank of London refused further payments of its outstanding debts of twenty-one million pounds, obligations assumed in a web of international finance. The panic of 1893 was on and all railroad work was canceled. The boom was at an end. Union settled back to the simple existence it has since led and dropped the “City” from its name. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

BACK