In 1892, Silvana, Washington, was founded in the low lands of the Stillaguamish River Valley, six miles west of Arlington. Many of the area's early settlers were Norwegian. The town was named for Silvanus, the Roman god of forests and guardian of homesteads. This photo shows downtown Silvana in 1908, when the Stillaguamish River flooded. A floating plank walk has been laid down to let people cross the street. The Silvana Hotel is the large building in the left center. Ewing's Store is to the left of the hotel, and the People's Union Cooperative is to its right.

Original photograph: 1908. Copied after 1975 by the Museum of History and Industry.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Cities & towns; Floods; Hotels