High Point, Washington

High Point is an unincorporated community in King County, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1]

1918 photo taken on the Tiger Mountain skid row coming down to the High Point mills

High Point, on the eastern fringe of Issaquah, is named for its location at the highest point on a railroad grade.[2] Once the location of a significant lumber mill and railway station,[3][2] it is now only a small collection of houses on large lots along I-90 at the "High Point Way" exit, and a Tiger Mountain trailhead.

History

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High Point was founded by John Lovegren in 1905,[2] and a post office was established in 1910, which operated until its closure in 1943.[4]

A lumber mill once existed at High Point, which employed 52 workers in 1913.[3] Many of the state-owned timberlands near High Point continue to produce logs for mills elsewhere to this day, while also being open for recreational use.[5]

Modern day

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High Point was the location of Tent City 4 beginning in early 2016, while the camp was awaiting a permit to move to Bellevue.[6] Today, High Point consists of a small collection of houses, Tiger Mountain State Forest access roads, and a Tiger Mountain trailhead at a minor exit on Interstate 90 east of Issaquah. This trailhead includes access to the popular Tradition Lake loop.

References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: High Point, Washington
  2. ^ a b c Meany, Edmond S. (1923). Origin of Washington geographic names. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 113.
  3. ^ a b Second Annual Report of The Workman's Compensations Act, for the Twelve Months ending September 30th 1913. State of Washington.
  4. ^ "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  5. ^ "Tiger Mountain State Forest". Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Megan Campbell (June 9, 2016), "Tent City 4 pitches tents east of Issaquah, awaits Bellevue permit approval", Issaquah Reporter

47°31′59″N 121°58′42″W / 47.53306°N 121.97833°W / 47.53306; -121.97833