The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01
Iut n5scSsfHtHts TOT h4I45 CUuHty 10
be years named as follows have been:
GREAT NATURAL RESOURCES.

The natural advantages that have made
King the monarch of Washington's coun-
ties are twofold-weaith Of material re-
sources and advantage of position with
reference to natural facilities for the devel-
opment and distribution of its resources.
As the matchless timber, mineral and agri-
cultural richness Of the Puget sound basin
constitute but one element of its wealth,
the other and perhaps greater being found
IN the commercial facilities of the Sound
by which Il Is penetrated, so it is with
King county. Although it embraces that
portion OF Puget sound basin that is
richest In all the varied staples of
the region. this is but one.half of its
wealth. the other portion being found in
the fact Of its being 80 situated as TO COM
mand the fullest advantages of the COM
mercial facilities Of the wonderful system
of channels. inlets and harbors known as
Puget sound The most extensive coal
fields. the richest deposits of iron, the
censest forests Of merchantable timber,
the most fertile and productive bottom
lands. are embraced within the borders of
King county. Its area is somewhat over
700 square miles, lying between the sum
nit Of the Cascade mountains and the
Sound. It's northern line is seventy-three
miles south Of the British line, and its
southern boundary Is formed by the White
and Green rivers and the north line of
township % north, which meets the Sound
at the head OF Commencement bay.
The advantages Of its location are appar-
ent upon glance at the chart of Puget
sound. II viii be seen that the principal
arm Of the inland sea is Admiralty inlet,
forming noble channel. broad and deep,
extending about seventy miles nearly due
southwark from the head Of the straits.
This viii always be the principal highway
Of the commerce of the Sound. King
county embraces the eastern shore line of
this inlet from IT'S head northward to with
IN few miles Of the southern extremity of
Wildly island, which divides the Sound
into two parts. The western shore of the
county is indented by the splendid harbor
Of Elliott bay, upon which Is situated the
city OF Seattle, the metropolis of Wash
ipgton.
In addition to the advantages of its loca-
ton on Admiralty inlet, the development
Of King county's natural wealth has been
greatly assisted by the internal transporta-
ton facilities afforded by its unequaled
lake and river system. Lake Washington.
extending for twenty-five miles parallel to
Admiralty inlet, with an average width of
two and half miles. and depth of from
ten TO twenty fathoms, will. when the pro-
posed ship canal is completed, connect
Ing Il with Salmon bay, make q splendid
fresh water harbor. Directly back of Lake
Washington, and lying parallel with it, is
Squak or Ssmamish lake, about ten miles
In length, its outlet connecting it with
the northern end Of Lake Washington.
Union bay on Lake Washington projects
% within 100 rods Of Lake Union, the out
let OF which is creek lowing into Salmon
bay. These lakes have q frontage of over
100 miles. The first coal mined at the
Newcastle mine was transported 10 Lake
Washington on tramway and shipped on
earges 20 the Lake Union portage, and
thence to the Sound by the way OF Lake
Union and Salmon bay Millions of logs
from the dense timber lands surrounding
these lakes have been carried on their
waters TO the Sound, logging ditch be-
tween lakes Washington and Union hav-
ing been open for years. The three forks
Of the Snoqualmie river, with White river.
Cedar river, Green river and Tolt river,
mountains. form highways FOR floating
down to market the timbered wealth of the
western slopes of the Cascades.
DEVELOPMENT OF COAL MINING.
King county's wealth in coal, timber and
agricultural resources exceeds that of any
other county of the state. The develop
nent Of the ioo. 900 acres OF coal lands Of