Hike of the Week: Nakashima Farm

A line of alders leads the way to the Nakashima Farm

Nakashima Farm

Heritage Barn stands testament to sad chapter in history

by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

Quick Facts
Location: Snohomish-Skagit County Line
Land Agency: Snohomish and Skagit County Parks
Roundtrip: 1.5 miles
Elevation gain: None
Contact: Snohomish County Parks http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks
Notes: Dogs must be on leash
Access: From Arlington follow SR 9 north for 9.5 miles to trailhead located on left. Alternatively follow SR 9 south 1.3 miles from Lake McMurray

Destined to soon become the northern terminus of Snohomish County’s Centennial Trail, the Nakashima Farm warrants a visit on its own merit. In 1996 the county purchased nearly 100 acres of the once 1200-acre sprawling dairy farm straddling the Snohomish-Skagit County line. Preserving wetland meadows, mature timber and excellent wildlife habitat, the property also showcases a fascinating piece of state history.
Farming operations began on this rolling property shortly after the turn of the 20th century by Daniel Waldo Bass and his wife Sophie. Sophie’s grandfather was A. A. Denny, the “Father of Seattle,” who landed at Alki Point in November 13, 1851. In 1937 Bass sold the farm to Japanese-American Takeo Nakashima. Nakashima with the enlistment of his family continued a dairy operation on the property.
However after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Nakashima family was sent to internment camps and was forced to sell the farm. Over the years the farm changed hands many times until it was purchased in 1997 by the Trust for Public Land and turned over to the county to become a park.
Only the large barn remains of the farm’s structures. In 2007 it was listed on Washington’s heritage barn register, becoming one of the state’s first and the only one so far belonging to an Asian-American farming family. While the barn still stands, it is in need of restoration. It can be viewed from SR 9 near the trailhead for the Centennial Trail.
The hike through the property along the Centennial Trail is currently short. Skagit County Parks maintains .5 mile of trail to the county line where about another .25 mile of trail can be walked before thick and feisty undergrowth prohibits further travel. The Snohomish County Parks Department hopes to begin work soon opening up more of this trail.
In the meanwhile, enjoy a pleasant stroll through rows of alders and the occasional Sitka spruce. Enjoy too the surrounding wetlands that flourish with birdlife come spring. From the trail's current end point sneak a few peeks out to the old barn sitting majestically in a large field. Reflect on the property’s past; the joys and sorrows of past inhabitants-and rejoice on the future of the property as it becomes a top notch recreational and cultural attraction.

For information on lodging and other attractions near Nakashima Farms visit
Click here for link to Snohomish County