Let’s Visit the Oldest Diner in Washington State

The population of the Oregon Territory, north of the Columbia River, requested to become its own territory. The U.S. Congress agreed and passed this legislation to the White House. On March 2nd, 1853, US President Millard Fillmore signed into law the new Washington Territory .

In the 1850, s ettlers were drawn to Whatcom County and Bellingham for the numerous logging, coal-mining, and fishing jobs.

It was in this “Old West” frontier era of the old Washington Territory that the Horseshoe opened its doors in the summer of 1886. The new mercantile, located in downtown Bellingham, sold smoking accessories, fishing licenses & tackle, hunting supplies, gifts, and novelties. The Horseshoe also opened with a good restaurant and a popular cocktail lounge.

In 1889, three years after the