bernie,
There wasn't any gold of significance found in the Puget Sound area. However, approximately 100 years ago, gold was discovered in the Klondike in Alaska. Seattle, being essentially the last bastion of civilization before reaching the Klondike, made for a fabulous location for supply stores. The most famous of them still in existence is the one founded by the Nordstrom family (but they didn't let you return your shoes back then).
The Alaskan's still have a degree of resentment for the position that Seattle has...many consider it to be the largest city in Alaska.
Even "their" airline (AS) relocated to Seattle.
ozstamps wrote:
I understand the Spanish founded Santa Fe 50 years before the Pilgrim landing at Plymouth rock? I suspect not a lot of Americans are aware of that fact.
Correct on both counts. Santa Fe is, in fact, the oldest city in the US, insofar as it is still the "same" city as the one founded by the Spaniards.
And I always smile when I hear people tell me Christopher Columbus discovered the USA - he never set foot on the place!
Yup. I like to point out that the US banks are closed on October 10 to celebrate an Italian, funded by the Spanish, who discovered the Carribean.
Mr. nutz,
I bow before your superiority in world history. Imagine if you had put that effort toward tennis!
Rudi,
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Michael