Sonqualmie Falls in Washington State

Snoqualmie Falls is Washington's most popular waterfall with over 1.5 million people visiting each year. Located only 25 miles outside of Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls is among the United States most magnificent waterfalls. The roaring water is a sight to behold and a useful source of naturally created hydro-electric energy for the area. You may see the falls from a handy playground area using a stage providing 180-degree views of the waterfall.
The waterfall is a 268 foot, 82-meter drop on the Snoqualmie River below. At the top, there's a luxurious mountain lodge hotel the Salish Lodge. Famous for 4-star service and Northwestern designs, the resort comes with a famed dining area and an observation deck. There's also a two-acre playground, gift shop, and observation deck along the ridge.

When Native Americans came, they discovered a bounty of raw bulbs, berries and roots around the prairie. Deer and mountain goats have been plentiful. Although there were no salmon over the falls, the upper Snoqualmie River became a seasonal rendezvous and developed place as commerce among indigenous peoples increased. They also founded villages in Fall Town and Tolt (Carnation).

From 1877, there have been many logging operations in the area. In ancient times, the logs were hauled across the falls and the river down into Everett and Puget Sound. From 1889, entrepreneurs financed and constructed a railway (the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern) to the valley, starting timber resources to the entire world industry.

In 1889, the town of Snoqualmie was discovered by Charles Baker, a civil engineer. He also assembled an underground power plant at the falls in the 1890s which still functions today. This power plant led to electricity and jobs, and shortly the establishment of a small town.