Carnation, WA: charming small town with easy metro access
January 2023: Carnation (population 2,158*), an easy day trip east of Seattle metro area, is a historic town in the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley, located at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers along State Route 203. It is known for its natural beauty, heritage and recreational opportunities in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Carnation – A Brief history
The Snoqualmie Valley was home to and named after the Snoqualmie tribe before the tribe relocation in the mid 1850s. The town was originally named Tolt, an Anglicized name for the Tolthue River. Tolt was founded in 1965 and incorporated into a town late in 1912. Later the town was renamed Carnation (1917) following lobbying from the Carnation Evaporated Milk Company. A group of unhappy residents as well as members of the Snoqualmie tribe changed the name back to Tolt in 1928. The “Carnation” name remained on several city buildings and was continued to be used by non-residents. Then in 1951, Tolt was again renamed back to Carnation – although the Tolt name lives on in various place names.
The Carnation Milk Company brand was acquired by Nestle in 1985, after having divested of its evaporated milk product line in the 1950s. Today the population and economy of Carnations is largely tied to the east side suburbs of Seattle and their tech industries. However, Remlinger Farms and Carnation Farms are local farming (and other entertainment) operations open to the public, which retain the agricultural roots of the area.
Downtown vibe / walkability
We took a day trip from the east metro Seattle area along State Route 203, stopping by the small but charming downtown area of Carnation. We did not stop in any of the businesses, but did admire the general aesthetics of the downtown area.
- Ixtapa – Google Maps – love the bright colors and renovated historic building
- Red Pepper Pizzeria & Pasta – Google Maps – clever re-use of an old gas station
- Miller’s – A Gathering Place – Google Maps – a community gathering space – music and event venue in a historic downtown building
- Sandy’s Espresso – Google Maps
There is an area brewery taproom, located at Remlinger Farms outside of town.
A deeper dive
My on-line research indicates that Carnation and its surrounding area have much to offer locals and visitors alike. As a small town, it benefits economically from its proximity to the Seattle metro area as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
