Florence, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence, Washington
|
|
|---|---|
 Florence, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Florence, Washington
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Snohomish |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Florence is a small, quiet place in Snohomish County, which is part of Washington state in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Florence is found on Florence Island, right where the Stillaguamish River meets the sea.
Contents
A Look Back at Florence's History
How Florence Got Started
Florence began as a community in 1866. This is when the area was "platted," meaning its streets and land lots were officially mapped out. The name "Florence" came from a special person. An early postmaster, who was in charge of the local mail, named it after someone he cared about.
The Post Office and Early Days
A post office opened in Florence in 1884. This was a very important place for people to send and receive letters and packages. The post office served the community for many years, finally closing its doors in 1949.
Florence's Busy Past
Back in its busiest times, Florence was a lively place. It had several hotels where travelers could stay. There were also bars and restaurants for people to gather and eat. Getting around was different back then. Florence had a stagecoach line, which was like an old-fashioned bus pulled by horses. It also had a dock for sternwheelers. These were boats with a large paddle wheel at the back, used for traveling on the river.
Why Florence Changed
Over time, Florence became less important as a business center. A nearby town called Stanwood grew larger and took over as the main place for shopping and trade in the area. This is why Florence is a quiet community today.
