A Friendship That Changed Washington State Law: Robert F. Utter and Charles Z. Smith
Originally appeared on the UW School of Law website at the following link (https://www.law.uw.edu/news-events/news/2026/utter-and-smith/) is a remarkable story about how a law school friendship between two future justices was key to keeping one of them from leaving the United States because of race discrimination in 1950s Washington State and its legal community. It is reprinted […]
Washington Courts Historical Society Announces 2026 CLE: Courts Under Pressure
Washington Courts Historical Society Announces 2026 CLE State Courts In a Challenging World CLE Friday, November 20, 2026 9 am-4 pm Temple of Justice, Olympia The Washington Courts Historical Society will present its 2026 continuing legal education program, Courts Under Pressure, on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Temple of Justice in Olympia. The daylong […]
The Pierce County Courthouse
The Pierce County Courthouse by Celeste Stokes (Past President) & David Peterson (Board Member) Pierce County was created in 1854 and named after then-President Franklin Pierce. Originally, Steilacoom was designated as the county seat because it already had a jail.[1] The first courthouse was erected in 1853 but burned down in 1858. A second courthouse […]
Seattle Justice
Seattle Justice by Christopher Bayley Book recommendation by Celeste Stokes, Past President, WCHS This book is a fascinating expose of Seattle’s not-so-remote politically corrupt history, which in many ways mirrors the origin story of Seattle or maybe just a less visible extension of Seattle’s original vice history. This book was especially intriguing to me because […]
Remarks by Justice Montoya-Lewis at the Washington State Supreme Court Minority and Justice Symposium
The following contains remarks by Justice Montoya-Lewis at the Washington State Supreme Court Minority and Justice Symposium: Introduction to the Film “Sugarcane.” Condensed and Edited for Publication Good morning, everyone and I want to thank all of the young people who are here today who opened this day in a really good way and felt […]
WHO was that Washington Supreme Court Justice?
WHO was that Washington Supreme Court Justice? Charles H. Sheldon, A Century of Judging: A Political History of the Washington Supreme Court (WSU Press, 1988); Charles H. Sheldon, The Washington High Bench: A Biographical History of the State Supreme Court, 1889-1991 (WSU Press, 1992) Review by Prof. Hugh Spitzer, UW Law Charles Sheldon (1929-1999) was […]
Island County Courthouse
Island County Courthouse – Coupeville Celeste Stokes, Past President, WCHS & David Peterson This article looks at the oldest standing building ever occupied as a courthouse in Washington. On Whidbey Island, Coupeville is one of Washington’s oldest towns, and is named for a sea captain, Thomas Coupe. The island is home to Fort Casey, Fort […]
William O. Douglas
BOOK REVIEW: Justice William O. Douglas, The Court Years 1939-1975 William O. Douglas, Jr., looks at his father, William O. Douglas, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The two were photographed shortly after Douglas was sworn in as Justice. Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress. by The Honorable Aimee Maurer Justice William O […]
Mandela
Presented this summer by MOHAI Mandela: The Official Exhibition by Leonard Garfield, Executive Director, Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) In December 1999, Nelson Mandela visited Seattle just days after the tumultuous World Trade Organization protests. In contrast to the unrest of the WTO meetings, Mandela’s visit brought a message of reconciliation, justice, and hope […]
Yakima Courthouse
Yakima County Courthouse The 1883 Yakima County Courthouse, which burned down in 1905. (Photo courtesy of Yakima Valley Museum) by David Peterson and Celeste Stokes, WCHS Board Members The present Yakima County Courthouse complex at the corner of North Second Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a great example of a courthouse facility […]