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Burton, Washington facts for kids

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Burton
Burton is located in Washington (state)
Burton
Burton
Location in Washington (state)
Country United States
State Washington
County King
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98013

Burton is a small, historic community located on Vashon Island in King County, Washington. It is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a recognized place, but it doesn't have its own separate city government. Instead, it's governed as part of the larger King County.

Burton is a beautiful waterfront area, famous for its residential homes. It sits on a narrow strip of land, like a bridge, between two parts of Quartermaster Harbor. This unique location makes it a special place to live and visit.

Burton1910
Old postcard showing Burton around 1910. Vashon College can be seen in the distance.

Discovering Burton

Burton is a charming community on Vashon Island. It's located in King County, which is in the state of Washington. The community is found at a unique spot called an isthmus. An isthmus is a narrow piece of land connecting two larger land areas, with water on both sides. In Burton's case, it connects the land between Inner and Outer Quartermaster Harbor.

How Burton Got Its Name

The community of Burton was officially named in 1892. A woman named Mrs. Miles Hatch chose the name. She named it after her hometown in Illinois, bringing a piece of her past to this new Washington settlement.

Early Days and Growth

The year 1892 was very important for Burton's development. This is when the community really started to grow. Two key places were established:

  • Vashon College: This college was an important part of the early community.
  • The Burton Store: This store served as a central place for residents to buy supplies and gather.

In its early years, several industries helped Burton thrive. These included:

  • Logging: Cutting down trees for wood.
  • Shingle manufacturing: Making wooden shingles, often used for roofs.
  • Brickmaking: Creating bricks for construction.

These industries provided jobs and helped the community become strong.

VashonDetailedMap
A detailed map showing Vashon Island in Washington.
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