About

Founded in 1889 and incorporated in 1903, the City of Snoqualmie was one of the area's most active lumber milling towns and a transportation hub for those crossing the Cascade Mountain Range by rail, wagon and motorized vehicle. Located slightly less than 30 miles east of Seattle, and less than 25 minutes travel time from the suburban centers and amenities of the Puget Sound's East side communities, the City has long been a major tourist destination based on the existence of Snoqualmie Falls, one of the nation's top scenic attractions. Snoqualmie Falls, 268 feet in height, is over 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls and attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year. The City is also home for an historic train depot managed and operated by the Puget Sound Railway Historic Association. An 11-mile train ride through the scenic Snoqualmie Valley to the adjacent town of North Bend has been the highlight of many summer vacations and family fun weekends. Snoqualmie also boasts one of the Pacific Northwest's most attractive and impressive lodges and spa, the four - star, award - winning Salish Lodge & Spa, which is situated near the top of Snoqualmie Falls. 

Snoqualmie mixes its historic past and small town ambiance with newly found significant growth patterns resulting from the out - migration of "city folk" seeking an area where natural beauty abounds and where the quality of life and open space environments are valued. With the expansion of Interstate 90, Snoqualmie became even more accessible to Puget Sound residents and growth began to find the area. In 1990, the City annexed approximately 1,300 acres of undeveloped land which is the current site of one of the Pacific Northwest's largest Master Planned Mixed Use, known as Snoqualmie Ridge. The first phase of development on "the Ridge" has been completed and the second phase, along with other proposed development is about to begin; when completed, the entire project will be home to more than 8,000 residents and feature a strong retail center plus a well established business park, which now has approximately eight major structures and 1,000 plus employees. Snoqualmie Ridge is also home to the Snoqualmie Ridge Tournament Players Course (TPC), a private, PGA sanctioned golf facility. With continued quality growth patterns, the City of Snoqualmie is estimated to reach a population of 15,000 in the next 10 years, which will triple the size of its current resident population. 

"Historic Snoqualmie" sits astride State Highway 202, and the downtown area has a number of small businesses, quaint shops, and period buildings/neighborhoods which reflect the City's proud legacies. Part of the legacy also includes the historic train depot and a "train graveyard" for old-fashioned locomotives and rail cars of all types. The community has a strong focus on providing high quality services to both longer term and new residents alike. An emphasis exists regarding the upgrade of senior and youth services/ programs. The City has over 21 parks with organized sports and recreational opportunities in abundance. High school and youth sports draw large, enthusiastic and friendly crowds.