Clearview, Washington

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Clearview is a small unincorporated community located on both sides of State Route Nine, where it intersects 180th Street SE (once known as Vine Street) in Snohomish County, Washington state. It is located between Snohomish and Woodinville and the top of the Clearview Hill.

[edit] History

Clearview was established on timberland that once belonged to Isaac Cathcart and had been logged by the Snohomish Logging Company. Clarence Dayton Hillman obtained the logged property and platted it in 1913 as Cathcart Division #1.

There were no roads in the area, so Mr. Hillman eagerly offered right-of-way when the Snohomish Fruit Growers Association sought a shorter route to Seattle. After much controversy, this road was completed in 1925. Now known as Highway 9, the road was initially called the Woodinville Cut-off.

By the time the road opened, the Hillman Company had constructed a real estate building, cannery, café and combination gas station-store along it. As an inducement for settlement, new residents were hired to clear land and build houses or gas stations on various company tracts. To convey the impression of self-sufficiency on small plots, the company established a rabbitry, pigeon and squab farm and poultry model-farm with resident “experts.” Other inducements were free berry vines, fruit trees and plants. Land was donated for a church and a community hall.

The settlement was first called West Cathcart and then Cathcart Heights. The 1930 Census lists 624 residents in Cathcart. On Armistice Day 1931 a celebration was held in recognition of the new name of Clearview. This name, possibly proposed by merchants Albert and Lea DesMarais, fittingly described the fine views residents had of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.

When the national Depression began, the businesses were Albert DesMarais Butcher Shop, Store and Gas Station, D’Aigle’s Grocery, Phillips Store and Gas Station, Bluebird Café, Pigeon Lodge Dance Hall and several gas stations. Other businesses that evolved were firewood (six partners), cordwood (five partners) and Christmas tree contracting (2 individuals). Eventually, a church was built on the Hillman donation and another on land given by George Robinson.

The community was in constant change as residents came and went. Times were economically desperate for many families. The gas stations changed owners frequently, but the other businesses were stable.

Development began in other parts of the plat and adjacent areas. Gilbert’s Corner, Pigeon Lodge, Berry Brook Farms, Woodshire, Sherwood, Roosevelt Plains and City Farms all appeared. Growth continued in spurts and many businesses came and went.

Two major buildings, the Midway and the Begis Trading Center, were built. Three concrete block buildings also arose and housed various businesses. The business center gradually began to expand north along the highway. Three small shopping centers are to be joined by other proposed shopping/business areas. In between them are smaller commercial facilities. Toward the northern terminus is the Willis Tucker County Park.

The boundaries of this unincorporated community cannot be defined. Services such as education, mail and water are provided by various districts. Fire District #7 serves 46 square miles and the main station is at Clearview.