Thanks so much for covering the Renton Western Wear building’s quest for landmark status (Oct. 16, Page 1). The Renton History Museum was thrilled to help with this application by providing original research and photographs to help demonstrate the significance of this mid-century building.

The new Renton Woolworth’s was the first all-self-service department store in Washington state in 1954, and as such it represented the arrival of modern ways of shopping to Renton, as well as a welcome investment by a major national retailer.

Having another landmark building will bring to four the total number of landmarks in Renton—here’s hoping we continue to build that number!

Elizabeth P. Stewart,
Director, Renton History Museum