Bill Kombol

The late 1700s saw explosive growth in coal use, driven by the Industrial Revolution. The prime mover was James Watt’s steam engine, which required massive amounts of fuel to boil water and generate steam. Coal contains roughly 1.5 to 2 times more energy than firewood, plus it’s far denser, delivering four times more power by volume. Next came Henry Cort’s invention of better-quality iron with coal-derived coke replacing wood charcoal.

Lady Dyar’s Little Lake Ranch It’s one of King County’s newest protected forests, but in its day, Lady Dyar’s Little Lake Ranch was a Wedding Wonderland like no other. Over 30+ years, this secluded site in the foothills east of Enumclaw hosted thousands of weddings, co-witnessed by the swans, peacocks, and frogs that called “Little Lake” home. In the early years, the property was owned by the William and Theresia Moeller family, who emigrated from Austria in 1887. Theresia’s mother, Mrs.

Have you ever wondered what your home looked like in the distant past? If it was built before the 1980s, you may be in luck. The three photos featured above were obtained from King County Assessor records, which are housed at the Puget Sound Regional Archives on the campus of Bellevue Community College near Eastgate. PSRA’s extensive database, operated by the Secretary of State, provides access to Assessor records and high-quality photos for a small fee.