Wilkeson Arch

Wilkeson Arch is a monumental gateway structure at the west entrance to Wilkeson, Washington. The stone and timber structure was built in 1925 by the Wilkeson Booster Club, at a cost of $2000. It is similar in design to the Chinook Pass, Nisqually and White River entrance arches in nearby Mount Rainier National Park, deriving its style from the National Park Service Rustic style prevailing in the national park structures of the time. The arch was intended to promote tourism and the local products, coal and sandstone.[2]

Wilkeson Arch
The relocated arch in 2008
Wilkeson Arch is located in Washington (state)
Wilkeson Arch
LocationWA 165, Church St. and Brierhill Blvd., Wilkeson, Washington
Coordinates47°6′38″N 122°3′3″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1925 (1925)
Architectural styleRustic
NRHP reference No.00000973[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 10, 2000

Description

The Wilkeson Arch is located on Washington State Route 165, standing across the road. The arch comprises two squared pillars of local sandstone with simple stone bases and capitals, topped by log cribbing supporting a single fir (originally cedar) log spanning the road between the pillars. The lintel supports a sign that from the entrance side reads "WILKESON COAL MINES - WILKESON SANDSTONE" and "GATEWAY TO THE CARBON GLACIER." The exit side of the sign reads "TACOMA 30 MILES - SEATTLE 50 MILES and "REMEMBER WILKESON."[2] The pillars are 6 feet (1.8 m) square and 25 feet (7.6 m) tall.[3]

History

The arch was originally located on Route 165 at Brierhill Boulevard, but was damaged during the February 28, 2001 Nisqually earthquake. The structure, rebuilt in 2004 and dedicated in 2009, is now located on 165 near Hill Street, several blocks to the south,[3] in a move that provoked local controversy. Its span has been widened by two feet.[4]

The Wilkeson Arch was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 2000.[1]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Calton, Cindy (March 28, 2000). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Wilkeson Arch". National Park Service. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  3. Keller, Jessica (April 30, 2009). "Wilkeson Arch finished, sign due in August". Bonney Lake Courier-Herald. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  4. Barker, Jeffrey M. (January 4, 2004). "Landmark's move makes some arch enemies". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
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