Molson, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Molson
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 Molson
Location in Washington (state)
Molson
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Okanogan |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 23 |
Molson is a fascinating ghost town located in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It's about 15 miles east of Oroville by road. The original site of Old Molson is very close to the Canada–United States border, just 1.7 miles south. Today, Molson is a quiet place with a rich history, offering a glimpse into the past.
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How Molson Got Its Name
Molson was founded in 1900. A man named George B. Meacham helped start the town. He partnered with an investor named John W. Molson. John Molson was part of the famous Molson family and worked for the Molson Bank. That's how the town got its name!
Molson's Mining Boom and Bust
The Molson post office opened on July 14, 1900. Walter F. Schuyler was the first postmaster. In that same year, Molson grew very quickly. About 300 people lived there! The town had three general stores, a drugstore, three saloons, a dance hall, and even a hotel. There was also a newspaper, a lawyer, and a doctor.
However, the company that invested in Molson decided to stop supporting it. By June 1901, only 12 people were left. The large Hotel Tonasket, named after Chief Tonasket of the Okanagan people, had three stories and 34 rooms. It sadly burned down in 1924. Some mining continued in the area until 1938, but it was never as big as the first boom.
The Railroad Arrives in Molson
The town got a new burst of life when people expected a railroad to arrive. In October 1905, the Great Northern Railway (GN) reached Bridesville, British Columbia, and then crossed the border into Molson. Passenger train service started the very next month!
Molson's train station was the highest in the entire state of Washington. West of Molson, the track going down to Oroville was one of the steepest parts of the railway. Passenger service from Oroville began in February 1907.
The Rise of New Molson
Around 1909, there was a disagreement with the owner of the original townsite, J.H. McDonald. Because of this, many residents and businesses moved about half a mile north. They crossed the railroad tracks and started a new town called New Molson.
The original Molson Hotel burned down in 1910. To replace it, the 23-room New Imperial Hotel was built in New Molson in 1911. This hotel was later renamed the New Wallace Hotel in 1916, but it also burned down in 1923.
New Molson grew for a while, but then faced hard times during the Great Depression. The railroad tracks between Molson and Oroville were removed in 1931. The tracks from Curlew to Molson were also abandoned in 1935. After this, Molson became a quiet farming community. The post office closed in August 1967, and mail services moved to Oroville.
Exploring Old Molson Today
In the 1950s, the school in Central Molson was quite busy, with 110 to 120 students. This historic school building is now the Molson Schoolhouse Museum. Inside, you can see old hand tools, household items, and photographs from the past.
In 1960, Harry Sherling created the Old Ghost Town Museum. It is located two blocks south, at the site of the original town. This museum is mostly outdoors and features old pioneer buildings, farm machines, mining tools, and other historical objects. You can visit both museums by making a donation.
See also
In Spanish: Molson (Washington) para niños
- Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway
