Kenmore, Washington

The City of Kenmore

The Kenmore shoreline and north remained heavily forested during the development of neighboring Bothell and Woodinville, both of which had settlements as early as 1870. John McMasters entered the Kenmore scene in 1901 and operated a cedar shake mill on the Lake Washington shore.

When the Red Brick Road opened in 1913 and connected Kenmore to Seattle, travel to the little town increased and new businesses arose to accommodate motorists and weekend revelers. The area lived up to its reputation as a rough and tumble place especially at the saloons where loggers were known to show their bare knuckle prowess.

The school kids demonstrated their own level of toughness, too. Everyday for years they were picked up in a milk truck, seated on portable benches, and taken to school. History doesn’t record if they had to walk home five miles uphill in the dark if a snow storm came in during the day, but one can easily imagine children of pioneers taking everything in stride without blinking. They were a tough and determined generation.