NPS Form 10-900-b (Aug. 2001) Washington State Microsoft Word Format RECEIVED 2280 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places NAT. PLACES llf Multiple Property Documentation For IT This form is for use in documenting multiple property groups relating to one or several historic contexts. See Instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. : X New Submission Amended Submission A. Name of Multiple Property Listing AGRICULTURE IN THURSTON COUNTY: FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1951 B. Associated Historic Contexts _________________________ (name each associated historic context, identifying theme, geographic area, and chronological period for each) C. Form Prepared by name/title .SHANNA STEVENSON, SENIOR PLANNER. organization __ THURSTON REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL _ date __SEPTEMBER 2001. street & number ____2404 HERITAGE COURT SW #B_______ telephone __(360) 786-5480 __ city or town _____OLYMPIA ______ state __WASHINGTON ___ zip code ___98502-6031___ D. Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this documentation form meets the National Register documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the listing of related properties consistent with the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60 and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Planning and Evaluation. (_ See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of certify!rt^ official Date Washington State Historic Preservation Office State or Federal agency and bureau I, hereby, certify that this multiple property documentation form has been approved by the National Register as a basis for evaluating related properties for listing in the National Register. STgp^ture oftneKeeper of the National Register Date of Action —————Cx ——————————————————— AGRICULTURE IN THUSTON COUNTY: FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1951 WASHINGTON Name of Multiple Property Listing State Table of Contents for Written Narrative Provide the following information on continuation sheets. Cite the letter and the title before each section of the narrative. Assign page numbers according to the instructions for continuation sheets in How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (National Register Bulletin 16B). Fill in page numbers for each section in the space below. ; Page Numbers E. Statement of Historic Contexts E1 to 32 (If more than one historic context is documented, present them in sequential order.) F. Associated Property Types (Provide description, significance, and registration requirements.) Cut-Over Land Farmsteads F-l to 4 Specialized Farming Buildings/Structures F-4 to 5 Aquaculture Sites and Structures F-5 to 6 Early Settlement Farmsteads F-6 to 7 Grange Halls F-8 to 8 G. Geographical Data G,H -1 H. Summary of Identification and Evaluation Methods G, H-l (Discuss the methods used in developing the public property listing.) I. Major Bibliographical References I 1 to 5 (List major written works and primary location of additional documentation: State Historic Preservation Office, other State agency, Federal agency, local government, university, or other, specifying repository.) Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB No. ,1024-0018 (Aug. 2001) Washington Microsoft Word Format United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section E Page 1 of 32 AGRICULTURE IN THUSTON COUNTY: FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1951 THURTSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON E. Statement of Historic Contexts (If more than one historic context is documented, present them in sequential order.) Introduction: The agricultural history of Thurston County extends from the pre-historic period when Native Americans burned prairies to facilitate the growth of root crops such as camas and to promote easier harvesting of berries and acorns. In the 1830s the Hudson's Bay Company established large farms and stations in and near present day Thurston County. Later early Euro-Americans settlers took up large claims on the open prairies and river bottoms under liberal land laws. As the forested sections of the county were harvested, towns grew up to serve the lumber processing industry, and loggers and their families established small farms on cut- over lands left from the logging. Gradually these farms developed into small-scale subsistence and commercial enterprises selling primarily eggs and milk. After the turn of the 20th century, some large scale farms such as the Brown Farm, Cannery Ranch and Cloverfields Dairy were established along with an irrigation district in Yelm. Berry farms flourished in the 1930s and 1940s. After World War II the small subsistence farms waned and larger farms were assembled. By the 1950s specialty crops such as lavender, poultry dairy, and holiday greens such as holly and Christmas trees began to develop. Throughout the county's history, aquaculture has been an important agricultural endeavor. This practice has its roots in Native American harvesting and use of oysters, clams and mussels and over the years has evolved with changes in technology and environmental conditions. Thurston County's agriculture has gone through many phases from the large land grants of the 19th century to the small cut-over farms of the 20th. Surprisingly, many farms and farmsteads survive almost intact from the 1850's period. Also good examples of the cut-over farms also survive. The following context statement provides background and information with which to; evaluate they various property types which reflect these periods and types of agriculture. Perhaps the most important part of the historical context is to understanding the importance of the small cut-over farms in the economic history of the area. By establishing their significance, efforts can be made to preserve the farmsteads of all periods as technology and economic conditions change. NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 (Aug. 2001) Washington Microsoft Word Format United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section E Page 2 of 32 AGRICULTURE IN THUSTON COUNTY: FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1951 THURTSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON E. Statement of Historic Contexts (cont'd) Organization of the Multiple Property Group: The multiple property documentation form Agriculture in Thurston County: First Settlement to 1951 is divided into three general periods: First Settlement to 1900, Post Pioneer Farming: 1900-1920, and Mid 20th Century Farming: 1920-1951. There is also a section on Aquaculture which is riot divided into separate chronological periods. Within these larger periods are sub-areas on Pioneer Farms, the Grange Movement, Cut-over Farms, Specialized Farms, Tree Farms, Berry Growing as well as general information about the periods. The property types associated with the context are Cut-Over Land Farmsteads; Specialized Farming Buildings/Structures; Aquaculture Sites and Structures; Early Settlement Farmsteads and Grange Halls. Geographic Setting! Thurston County is located in Western Washington State adjoining the southernmost point of Puget Sound. Topographically, the 735 square mile county is composed of three areas, the Coast Range, the Willamette-Puget Lowland and the Cascade Mountains. The Upper Chehalis River bottomlands in the Rochester and Grand Mound district in south Thurston County are valuable farmlands with a low elevation from 60 to 100 feet above sea level. Along the Black River is another open-plain farming area in the Little Rock vicinity. Extending from the towns of Tenino to Rochester in southern Thurston County, are the remains of the Glacial Drift Plain characterized by clays, sands and gravels as well as kettle holes, moraines and mounds including the Mima Mounds. Near the cites of Olympia, Lacey and Yelm in the northeast part of county, are the glacial till plains which include Chambers, Hawks, Weir, Ruth, Smith and Yelm prairies. Southeastern Thurston County is in the foothill area of the Cascade Mountains, which was historically forested. In this area farming is conducted on cut-over (previously forested) lands. Because of its glacial geological heritage much of the county is unsuited to agriculture. The best agricultural lands were located in the river valleys and lake areas. The highest