Wellington, Washington

Wellington was a super small town tucked away in a big, snowy mountain range called the Cascade Range. It was right next to a very important train tunnel that went right through the mountain! Think of it like a secret hideout for trains and the people who worked there. It was a place where the wild mountains were the closest neighbors.

This little town popped up in 1893, all because of the trains! It was built right where a big train tunnel started, under a mountain pass called Stevens Pass. The Great Northern Railway needed a place for workers and to help the trains. So, a whole community grew up just for them, right in the middle of the wild, beautiful mountains.

One year, a giant avalanche of snow came crashing down! It was the biggest avalanche ever recorded in the United States. Sadly, 96 people lost their lives in this terrible event. It was a very sad day for Wellington and for the whole country. This event is still remembered today as a reminder of nature's power.

Life in Wellington was probably pretty quiet and focused on the trains. People lived and worked there because of the railway. They might have enjoyed the amazing mountain views, but they also had to be ready for the snowy weather. It was a special place, connected to the world mainly by the trains that passed through.