There’s a new chapter to be written in Federal Way’s history — its first book.
The Historical Society of Federal Way’s 20-year dream of a book on the city’s history has come to fruition in a paperback simply titled “Federal Way.”
“Our main goal is to educate the younger generation and be a good history resource,” book coordinator Marie Sciacqua said.
For the last two decades, the society talked about creating a book on the history of Federal Way. The society even created some outlines, but for one reason or another, the book was never written.
That is until the society put Sciacqua on the job in 2006. Sciacqua really got down and started working on the book in early 2007, going through old book outlines, photos and files that belong to the historical society.
Working with publisher Arcadia, Sciacqua put together an outline for the book and tapped three of the historical society members — Ann Hagen, Dick Caster and Diana Noble-Gulliford — to write the book.
The society used information compiled by some earlier members of the group, including
Shirley Charnell, Maire Reed and Ilene Marckx.
“Without their efforts, we wouldn’t have this information,” Sciacqua said.
The book includes a history of Federal Way and some background on nearby areas that aren’t technically part of Federal Way, including the history of Redondo.
There are hundreds of photos throughout the book, dating back to the turn of the century right up to the Federal Way Farmers Market, which opened in 2004. The book follows the history of the city through its incorporation in 1989. Before that point, the area was part of unincorporated King County.
“We’re still just a young city,” Sciacqua said. “We’ve come a long way. People don’t realize how young we are. (Under King County) we didn’t have control of our destiny.”
The society will celebrate the book’s launch from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Federal Way Community Center Senior Lounge, 876 S. 333rd St.
On hand will be Federal Way mayors, both past and present, as well as refreshments and music. Books will be available for purchase for $23 each.
Contact Kyra Low: klow@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.
Check it out
For more infomation on the book, call (253) 945-7842. The Historical Society of Federal Way is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
