0407, 2022

Wilkeson’s Historic Coke Ovens

Washington Our Home
July 4, 2022
History, Mining, Podcast, Western Washington
0
1157

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Boasting a population of just under 500, the small community of Wilkeson, Washington, lies in the heart of Pierce County’s Carbon River Valley. Once a lively and vibrant mining community, it has withstood the test of time…despite seeing an end to its primary economic driver. But rather than resign itself to a fate of joining the ranks of dozens of other ghost towns throughout the state, Wilkeson has endured. And

1411, 2014

Robert Peloli and Wilkeson’s coal mining history

My thanks to 91-year-old Robert Peloli – the last living coal miner in Wilkeson, his family, Wilkeson Mayor Bob Walker, Pierce County, and Dave Kellman, my intrepid videographer for this story. I think this is the best video we’ve done, and it’s a story near and dear to my heart. I hope you all enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it!

2709, 2014

Washington’s only living ghost town

Washington Our Home
September 27, 2014
Central Washington, Ghost Towns, History, Mining
12
8933

Returning from an overnight trip to Leavenworth (always a must-see if you happen to be in the Wenatchee National Forest), I spotted a sign along US-97 pointing the way toward Liberty, Washington, which billed itself as the only living ghost town in the state. Only two miles off the main road, I decided to take the extra few minutes to check out what Liberty had to offer. What I found was