About Lake Stevens

Located 8 miles east of Everett, in Snohomish County, Washington, Lake Stevens is named for the lake it encircles. The lake itself covers more than 1,000 acres, the largest lake in the county. Rising above the lake to the east is the Cascade Range. Even the most modest homes typically offer dramatic views of Mt. Pilchuck and other snow-toppped mountains. The City of Lake Stevens is on the northeast end of the lake and is home to 6,100 people. The unincorporated “urban growth area” surrounding the rest of the lake adds another 16,000 people. Despite the numbers, Lake Stevens remains a small town at heart. Although now primarily a bedroom community, the area has managed to retain much of its rural flavor. With so many new faces, community events like cheering for the high school teams, going to school or church related activities, and getting involved in service clubs help keep the hometown ties strong.

A Brief History

Native Americans likely frequented Lake Stevens for centuries. An 1859 map of Washington territory first named the lake, apparently after then-governor Isaac I. Stevens.
Pioneers settled in 1886 on a 160-acre homestead along the east shore. In 1889, C.A. Missimer filed a deed for land in the northern cove of the lake. The City of Lake Stevens sits on that original acreage.
Early timber mills began opening along the lake in 1896 and 1900. The largest mill in the area was built in 1905 by the Rucker Timber Company along the north cove of the lake, attracting hundreds of workers and their families.
Thus was born the town of Lake Stevens, with the Ruckers providing housing to their workers and building a general store, combination drug store/doctors office and bank.
The Rucker Mill burned and was partially rebuilt in 1919. When it burned a second time in 1925, the mill was dismantled and Lake Stevens lost its major industry. The base of the peak of the old smokestack remains intact, in a city park next to the Historical Museum.
During the 30’s and 40’s Lake Stevens was home to several large beachside resorts, attracting vacationers and water skiers from around the state.
The resorts were complete with dance halls, huge water slides; one was even home to a minor league baseball team. Professional water ski competitions on the lake continued through the 1960’s. Today’s Lundeen Park is all that remains of the famous Lundeen’s Resort.
Jim Mitchell’s book, “My Town,” chronicles Lake Stevens’ history, interspersed with delightful anecdotes from his 80-plus years in the community.
The small City of Lake Stevens incorporated in 1960 with only 900 residents. It has experienced tremendous growth in the last four decades, with over 9,000 residents at last count.
Growth in the unincorporated Lake Stevens area has been even more substantial, with over 30,000 people calling the Lake Stevens urban growth area their home.
The Lake Stevens Historical Museum, located downtown next to the library, offers
an insightful look at the town’s rich and unique history.
The museum itself includes a gallery of historical photos and displays that showcase
life in Lake Stevens over the decades. The adjacent reading room provides visitors access to historical documents, family histories and video-taped interviews.
The Grimm House next door has been painstakingly restored to reflect an accurate 1920’s era mill home.

Shopping and Dining

Lake Stevens has several thriving commercial districts. Frontier Village, at the intersection of Highways 9 and 204, is the largest. Among the shops are three large supermarkets, major name retailers, drug stores, a post office sub-station, banks, a hardware store, restaurants, gas stations, and all manner of professionals and services. Also at Frontier Village is Lake Stevens Fire’s headquarter station.
The fast-growing South Lake Center at the lake’s southern tip offers residents convenient services near their homes, including restaurants, childcare, real estate, health care and many others..

Utilities

Lake Stevens is served by Community Transit, Snohomish County’s public transportation system. For more information call 425- 353-RIDE. Curbside recycling is offered through Waste Management Northwest. The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) supplies water and electricity, telephone service is provided by US West, and natural gas by Puget Sound Energy.

Medical Facilities

For emergency care, Providence General Hospital has two locations in Everett, a short 15-minute drive across the trestle. Local doctor offices include the Everett Clinic, located near Frontier Village at 8910 Vernon Road, and the Lake Stevens Clinic, at 9408 Davies Road. Lake Stevens is also home to a number of dentists and optometrists.

Community Resources

Fire and emergency medical services are provided by Lake Stevens Fire, with headquarters at 9811 Chapel Hill Road. Lake Stevens Fire also has stations in downtown Lake Stevens and Machias.
The Lake Stevens Library is a branch of the regional Sno-Isle Library System and is located downtown at 1804 Main Street. The Lake Stevens Family Center, behind the library, offers family-oriented activities and resources. The Lake Stevens Senior Center holds a weekly luncheon at the city campus along with many classes and activities for seniors.
For those in need, the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank is located at Ebenezer Lutheran Church on the corner of 117th Ave. NE and 22nd St. Sherwood Community Services, located at Frontier Village, provides services and job training
to people with disabilities.

Service Organizations

Lake Stevens has many community and service organizations
eager to involve new members. Among them are the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Lake Stevens Downtown Association, and the Lake Stevens Junior Athletic Association.

Government

Residents within the city limits are represented by the Lake Stevens
City Council and Mayor Vern Little. City Hall is located at 1812 Main Street. The city maintains its own accredited police force under Police Chief Randy Celori, with a new station on Grade Rd.
Residents in unincorporated parts of the community are represented by Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers. Snohomish County government offices are located at 3000 Rockefeller in Everett. County residents are served by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Religion

Our community is home to several churches of different denominations, each welcoming visitors and newcomers. Following is a partial listing; check the Journal newspaper’s weekly Church Directory and your phone book for more church listings.