Thanks, that first site has quite a bit of background. Now, I'm left to wonder what possessed my ancestor to move from Illinois to such a remote area with a wife and 9 children. I didn't think he worked for the railway as he was listed as a watchman in Tacoma's 1903 directory, however, I just noticed that in 1904 he's listed as an "eng." Thanks for the tip, I'll follow up with the railroad angle. Lester sounds pristine. Sounds like it's worth a day trip, and maybe a camping effort if they allow it. If anyone has info on Charles W.CROOKS or his wife Alice Mary Fuqua CROOKS in relation to Lester, please let me know. Thanks for all your ideas. Michele Holter On Thu, 17 Dec 1998 K9504m@aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 12/17/98 3:41:06 PM Pacific Standard Time, > bizcom@u.washington.edu writes: > > << Does anyone have information on this area, particularly at the turn of the > century? > >> > =============== > Michele, > > Check out this web site. It has a bit about Lester, Washington and a whole > lot about the NP Railway! > http://pw2.netcom.com/~whstlpnk/np.html > > Here are some other sites of interest: > http://m2.aol.com/mmcgee5924/lester.html > > http://www.armadillo.com/monad/phillips/store.html > > http://www.employees.org/~davison/nprha/nagrom.html > > Enjoy! > > HOLTON-L List Owner > The Rootbound Researcher > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > ^ ^ Kitty (CURTIS) Martin Kent, Washington > - - k9504m@aol.com > Researching: CURTIS, GATES, HENSLEY, HOL(E)TON, JAMES; > ZIEGLER, SWIFT, POLK, GREGORY, GRACE > (etc.) > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/8946/index.htm > >