1870 - The Bothell area was originally swampy, heavily forested and inhabited by the Simump Tribe. These Native Americans referred to the region as the "Squak," meaning a swampy lowland. In the early 1870's, white settlers came to this area seeking homesteads. Bothell started as a logging camp and steamboat stop on Squak Slough (now the Sammamish River).
1884 - The first merchant to set up business was E.W. Allen in 1884. He soon sold the shop to Gerhard Ericksen. Several other merchants followed, making their living offering needed supplies, hardware and textiles to area residents. Other elements of a permanent community were established, including a school and a church. A newspaper was founded in 1903; a bank in 1908. Bothell's Main Street, still dirt with wooden sidewalks, began to take shape-the streets were not paved until 1926.
1889 - In the spring of 1889, David C. Bothell and wife, Mary Ann, filed the first plat in what was to become the City of Bothell. They platted 80 acres. The town was incorporated in April 14 1909, some 20 years later.
Lumber and shingle production fueled the early local economy. The Bothell Shingle Company mill produced 125,000 shingles in a single day at its peak. Cedar was brought in on a seven-mile water flume to the busy mills, and some of the locals would hitch a ride on a log headed for town at 3 to 4 miles per hour.
Shipping on the Squak Slough was the only way for commerce to reach Bothell, Woodinville, Redmond, and Issaquah. In addition to lumber transport, local produce was distributed, first by rowboats up to 50 feet long, later by flat-bottomed scows, and eventually by steam-boats of various designs. Regular passenger service from Seattle to Bothell was provided three times a day on the steamboats-the fare a costly 25 cents.
1908 - a major fire began in the Bothell Hotel, and destroyed five buildings on Main Street. In 1911, Bothell's worst fire destroyed all 11 buildings. Soon after the fire, a local fire department was formed. A motorized hose cart was purchased in 1916. Several of the structures rebuilt after the 1911 fire still stand today on Main Street.
1909 - Bothell was incorporated at a town with a population around 600. George Bothell was elected as the towns first mayor and another relative, AF Bothell was elected council, the town became 'Bothell'. Gerhard Ericksen, the first Postmaster, is reputed to have said, "There are so many Bothell's in town, let's call it Bothell." Many of the 'Bothell Family' are buried in Bothell's historic Pioneer Cemetery.
1917 - Lake Washington was lowered nine feet to install the Lake Union locks. This spelled the end of practical use of the slough. By then, rail and road transportation had made overland shipping simpler and faster.
1950 - Although farming began to replace the logging trade in Bothell and the City streets were paved, the population was still only at a 'small town' size of 1,000.