Molson, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Molson
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Ghost town
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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 small community in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It's known for its history as a mining town that grew and then became a ghost town. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and many buildings are empty. Old Molson, which is the original townsite, is very close to the border with Canada.
Contents
How Molson Got Its Name
Molson was started in 1900. It was founded by a person who helped promote new towns, George B. Meacham. He worked with an investor named John W. Molson. John Molson was part of the famous Molson family and worked for the Molson Bank. The town was named after him.
Mining Boom and Bust
In 1900, Molson quickly grew into a busy town. Its population reached about 300 people. A post office opened on July 14, 1900. The town had three general stores, a drugstore, and three saloons. There was also a dance hall, a place to rent horses (livery), and a blacksmith shop. People could find a lawyer, a doctor, and even a newspaper.
However, the company that invested in Molson decided to stop supporting it. By June 1901, most people had left, and only 12 residents remained. The large Hotel Tonasket, named after Chief Tonasket of the Okanagan people, burned down in 1924. Mining in the area continued off and on until 1938, but it was never as big as before.
The Railroad Arrives
The town of Molson started to come back to life when people expected a railroad to arrive. In October 1905, the Great Northern Railway reached Molson. Passenger train service began the next month. The Molson train station was the highest one in the state of Washington. This made it a very important stop.
New Molson is Born
In 1909, there was a disagreement with the owner of the original townsite. Because of this, many residents and businesses decided to move. They went about half a mile north, across the railroad tracks. There, they started a new town called New Molson.
A new hotel, the 23-room New Imperial Hotel, was built in 1911. It replaced the old Molson Hotel, which had burned down in 1910. The New Imperial 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 the Great Depression hit. This was a time when the economy was very bad, and many people lost their jobs. The railroad tracks from Molson to Oroville were removed in 1931. The tracks from Curlew to Molson were removed in 1935. After this, Molson became a quiet farming community. The post office closed in August 1967, and mail services moved to Oroville.
Molson's Museums
Today, Molson is home to two interesting museums that tell its history.
Molson Schoolhouse Museum
In the 1950s, the school in Central Molson had over 100 students. This historic school building now houses the Molson Schoolhouse Museum. Inside, you can see old hand tools, household items, and photographs from the past.
Old Ghost Town Museum
In 1960, Harry Sherling started the Old Ghost Town Museum. It is located at the original townsite, about two blocks south of the school. This museum is mostly outdoors. It features old pioneer buildings, farm machinery, and mining equipment. You can see many historic items that show what life was like long ago. Both museums welcome visitors and ask for donations.
See also
In Spanish: Molson (Washington) para niños
Images for kids
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The Molson State Bank building, a historic landmark in Molson.
