The Oxford Tavern, circa 1889, also in this rural town is frequented by a local policeman named Henry whose picture hangs inside this lively eatery. Trouble is, he died some time ago. Mountain bikes work great on the last 4-mile dirt road up to the mines at Barlow Pass. A handy walking guide is stocked by most merchants in this bustling neighborhood of art galleries, antique shops, bookstores and pubs. Fierce griffins guard the staircase, the house and its rooms are dark mauve and furniture is crafted from coffins.
Skulls adorn the gift shop fireplace.
The first trial ever held in the Puget Sound area, a murder trial, convened at Fort Steilacoom in 1849 and concluded with a hanging. By 1858, the fort had been built up to protect American interests and provide refuge for Northwestern settlers. Today, Western State Hospital is a treatment center for the chronically mentally ill. Visitors to Fort Steilacoom often wander into an abandoned wing at the historic hospital. Civil war battle reenactments take place every Memorial Day.