Northwestern Improvement Company Store, historic building in Roslyn, Washington
The Northwestern Improvement Company Store is a large brick building located at the corner of First and Pennsylvania Streets in Roslyn, standing since 1889. The structure displays practical commercial design from the early 20th century with a rectangular shape, thick brick walls, and large windows focused on durability rather than decoration.
The building opened in 1889 as a supply center for miners and their families, selling food, clothing, furniture, tools, and explosives. After the mines closed in 1963, it sat empty for decades until the Roslyn Downtown Association purchased and restored it in 2013.
The store was a central gathering place where neighbors met while shopping and shared news about their daily lives. This social function made it more than a shop; it was a place that shaped community bonds and brought people together.
The building sits at a prominent corner in downtown Roslyn and now serves as a visitor center. It also houses shops, art galleries, and a small local distillery, giving visitors multiple reasons to explore inside.
The building is the last structure still standing from the coal mining era in the region and was placed on a list of threatened places in 2010. This recognition helped draw attention to its importance and motivated the community to take action.
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