Historical Society of Federal Way

Historical Society of Federal Way The Historical Society of Federal Way gathers the history of the Federal Way community through research and donations.

Founded in 1988, the Historical Society of Federal Way's mission is to serve the public through researching, preserving, educating, and displaying the history of Greater Federal Way to build a sense of community identity and heritage. Located at the Steel Lake Annex in Steel Lake Park, the Society also has two historic cabins: Denny Cabin and Barker Cabin.

Join Us for a Local History Presentation!Ever wondered how Federal Way transformed from Coast Salish lands into the city...
08/27/2026

Join Us for a Local History Presentation!

Ever wondered how Federal Way transformed from Coast Salish lands into the city we know today? Join the Historical Society of Federal Way for a fascinating presentation by architectural historian Tom Heuser as he presents his latest historic report on our city!

Friday, September 11 at 1:00 PM

Location: Village Green Retirement Community
35419 1st Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003

Who Can Attend: Anyone!!

What You'll Learn:
Tom will walk us through the Historic Context Statement for Federal Way, exploring seven distinct eras from original Coast Salish land use through to the city's incorporation in 1990. The talk will cover key development patterns, local architecture, and important history regarding racial exclusion and local efforts to overcome it.

This research will help guide future landmark nominations and property surveys across Federal Way. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the stories, places, and people that shaped our community!

Free and open to the public. See you there!

Here's a photo of our annual meeting from 2013.Now 13 years later, our next annual meeting will be October 3rd, 2026 @ 1...
08/22/2026

Here's a photo of our annual meeting from 2013.

Now 13 years later, our next annual meeting will be October 3rd, 2026 @ 1PM- and we are grateful to be hosted again by The Federal Way Senior Center.

Official invites with all the details will be sent in the mail soon!

Time sure flies.
Have a Great Weekend!!

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We will be closed Saturday the 22nd, and re-opening on Monday from 9AM-1PM. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Before it was a bustling commercial hub, the land beneath The Commons at Federal Way (originally SeaTac Mall) belonged t...
08/21/2026

Before it was a bustling commercial hub, the land beneath The Commons at Federal Way (originally SeaTac Mall) belonged to local pioneers.

One of those early homesteading families was the Webb family, whose legacy is tied directly to the grand opening of Federal Way’s first major shopping mall in August of 1975.

During the grand opening ceremonies, a commemorative plaque was unveiled inside the mall honoring Mabel Webb and her family, who originally owned the land. The plaque had been planned prior to her passing to bridge Federal Way’s homesteading history with its modern future.

Opening Week Rush: Built at an original cost of $35 million, the 19-acre complex drew an estimated 20,000 visitors in its very first week.

42 Stores on Day One: The mall initially debuted with 42 retailers, anchored solely by People’s Department Store.

Rapid Expansion: Within just one year, the enclosed mall expanded to 90 shops and 4 major department stores.

Record Newspaper Issue: The occasion was so massive that the Federal Way News published its largest issue in history that week—a massive 84 pages packed almost entirely with store advertisements!

Next time you shop at The Commons, take a moment to look back nearly 50 years to the 1975 grand opening and the homestead roots that made it all possible!

On This Day in Local History: August 7, 1961 ⛪📚Sixty-five years ago today, Steel Lake Presbyterian Church marked a major...
08/07/2026

On This Day in Local History: August 7, 1961 ⛪📚

Sixty-five years ago today, Steel Lake Presbyterian Church marked a major milestone for growing local families! On August 7, 1961, construction was completed on a brand-new education wing—and the church didn't waste any time putting it to work, opening the doors for immediate use.

A little over a month later, on September 17, 1961, the church gathered to formally dedicate the new space to the community.

Did you or your family attend Sunday school, youth groups, or community events in the Steel Lake education wing over the years? Share your memories (or vintage photos!) in the comments below!

Did you know that on August of 1959, Federal Way Bowling Lanes officially opened its doors?Located inside the brand-new,...
08/01/2026

Did you know that on August of 1959, Federal Way Bowling Lanes officially opened its doors?

Located inside the brand-new, half-million-dollar British Columbia-Yukon Building at Federal Shopping Way, this spot was the ultimate entertainment destination of its time!

Here is a look back at what it featured:

24 state-of-the-art lanes powered by A & F Magic Circle Equipment

A cozy snack bar and billiard room

Family-friendly perks including a nursery and a children's playground

Spectator seating and plenty of "kicker space" to hang out

Who remembers heading down to Federal Shopping Way back in the day, or hearing stories about these classic community hangouts? Let us know in the comments!

See learn more about our community, check out our timeline here----------------------------> https://federalwayhistory.org/timeline/

Picture this: It’s 1948, you’re browsing the bustling aisles of Macy’s flagship store in New York City, and the person n...
07/28/2026

Picture this:

It’s 1948, you’re browsing the bustling aisles of Macy’s flagship store in New York City, and the person next to you looking at winter coats isn’t a shopper at all—they’re a plainclothes store detective.

Back in the post-WWII era, department stores relied heavily on specialized, undercover loss-prevention teams to stop shoplifting and fraud. These detectives blended seamlessly into daily crowds, quietly watching for suspicious behavior and detaining offenders without ever making a scene or drawing public attention.

So, what happened when the store wanted to take an official group photograph of the team?

They got creative.

In a legendary portrait taken in 1948, the entire team posed with their backs to the camera. No faces revealed, no undercover operational covers blown—just a wall of sharp-dressed, mysterious investigators symbolizing the quiet, secretive nature of their work.

🍔 Flashback to $0.19 Burgers! 🍔Did you know the local favorite, Burger Express, originally opened their doors as Lester’...
07/23/2026

🍔 Flashback to $0.19 Burgers! 🍔

Did you know the local favorite, Burger Express, originally opened their doors as Lester’s Drive-In, serving up delicious hamburgers for just 19 cents back in the day?

Founded by Lester Mull in July of 1960— he first started his burger journey in 1951 with the Burger In & Out—this location has been a local favorite for generations. While Lester passed away in 1989, his legacy of great food and good vibes lives on!

Today, the shop is still slinging classic bites as Burger Express, complete with its timeless 1950s–1970s atmosphere and an old jukebox still standing proudly in the corner.

Stop by, grab a burger, and take a quick step back in time!

Did you know that back in July 1990, our world-class local aquatic center officially secured its iconic name?Right befor...
07/17/2026

Did you know that back in July 1990, our world-class local aquatic center officially secured its iconic name?

Right before the 1990 Goodwill Games kicked off (July 20 – August 5), Weyerhaeuser came through with a final $500,000 gift. Combined with their previous $2.3 million donation and the donation of the land itself, they ensured "Weyerhaeuser" would permanently be a part of the center's legacy!

It truly took a village to build this incredible facility for the Games and our community:

King County contributed $8.8 million for construction and pools.

A local non-profit raised $5.8 million.

The Sabey Corporation donated $1 million.

Built specifically to host swimming and diving athletes from over 50 countries during the Goodwill Games, it was always designed with the future in mind. Decades later, it’s still serving as a hub for local, national, and international competitions!

Did you attend the 1990 Goodwill Games, or do you swim at the center today? Share your memories in the comments below!

In July of 1976, the very first “Street Talk” column debuted in the Federal Way News.For decades, the column stopped 6 t...
07/09/2026

In July of 1976, the very first “Street Talk” column debuted in the Federal Way News.

For decades, the column stopped 6 to 10 local residents on the street to get their raw, unfiltered takes on current events. It became a staple of the paper for the rest of its run, capturing the evolving voice of our community week by week.

Do you or your family members remember being interviewed for "Street Talk"? What local issues do you think would dominate the column if it were running today? 👇

Don't forget to stop by our booth at the Red White & Blues Festival, and tell us what you'd wish to see for Federal Way ...
07/04/2026

Don't forget to stop by our booth at the Red White & Blues Festival, and tell us what you'd wish to see for Federal Way in 50 years.

Address

2645 S 312th Street, Federal Way
Federal Way, WA
98003

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Thursday 9am - 1pm
Friday 9am - 1pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+12539457842

Website

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