Historic Tour–One Day

Chehalis Historical District

Pennsylvania Avenue Historical District – a historically significant neighborhood build by the “urban elite” of Chehalis in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  A walking tour booklet can be found at the Lewis County Historical Museum.

The Chehalis Hillside Historical District  – platted in 1888-1889 is located one street east of the historic downtown district.  The dominant architectural styles are Craftsman and Bungalow, with a few examples of Queen Anne and Tudor.  It encompasses Washington, Adams, and Jefferson Avenues.

Stop in at the Market Street Bakery for delightful refreshments before continuing your tour of downtown.  Visit the Quilt Shop and Yarn Shop.

Historic Downtown Chehalis consists mainly of 19^th century commercial-style buildings constructed between 1890 and 1927.  Two properties are listed in the National Register of Historic Places:  The St. Helens Inn and the Lewis County Historical Museum.

Borst Park and the Borst Family Homestead
Take exit 82 off of I-5 and head west on Harrison.  Turn left on Johnson Road and follow signs.  A one-room schoolhouse and Borst home are open Saturdays and Sundays 2-4.30 Memorial Day through Labor Day w eekend.  Group tours by appointment with two weeks’ notice by calling Centralia Parks and Recreation at 360.330.7688.

Stop for lunch at Berry Fields in the Centralia Square Antique Mall on the corner of Locust and S. Pearl.

Downtown Centralia
After lunch at Berry Fields, cross the street to Washington Park and Carnegie Library.  Continue up Pearl Street to view murals and cross over to Tower Avenue for more murals and for a self-guided tour of the turn of-the-century architecture. Downtown Tour Guide

Take Locust Street up to Barner Drive to the entrance of the Seminary Hill Natural Area.  There are several trails to walk and enjoy the variety of trees, shrubs and leafy plants – some older trees date from about 1900.

Now back to downtown and to the Olympic Club Hotel and Theater for a scrumptious dinner in the historic Railroad Hotel where you can imagine what it must have been like in 1921 when the notorious train robber Roy Gardner was captured here.   Shoot a game of pool, enjoy a movie, and spend the night, if you like.