Molson, human settlement in Okanogan County, Washington, United States of America
Molson is an abandoned settlement in Okanogan County, Washington, founded around 1900 by George Meacham and investor John W. Molson. The area contains two distinct sections: the original townsite with an open-air museum displaying pioneer buildings and farm machinery, and a northern area established in 1909 with remnants of later development.
Molson was established around 1900 and quickly grew to a busy town with some 300 residents and numerous businesses and services. The population dropped sharply after 1901 when early investors lost interest, and the town continued to decline after railroad service ended in the 1930s.
The name Molson comes from John W. Molson, one of the town's founders. The remaining buildings and streets show how people gathered here to work and build a community, then gradually left as opportunities changed.
The site consists of two areas that can be explored on foot, with museum exhibits housed in the old schoolhouse and an open-air museum featuring pioneer buildings and machinery. Check opening times before visiting, as the museums operate on a set schedule and the remote location requires planning.
The railroad station was once the highest point in Washington state, and rail service arriving in 1905 helped the town briefly thrive before ending in the 1930s. A large three-story hotel with 34 rooms named after a local Native American leader burned down in 1924, reflecting the town's dramatic turns of fortune.
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