There are four daily newspapers, 8 banks, 1,120 acres in parks, and many beautiful and expensive public buildings. The city hall cost $200,000; the court house, $500,000; her high school building, the most beautiful on the coast, cost a half million dollars, and the United States government is completing a $500,000 federal building.
Puyallup is one of Pierce county's prosperous towns, having about 7,000 population, in the wealthy Puyallup valley. This is the center or a great fruit-growing district, in which the farmers have combined and market their crops through an association, sending their berries in patent refrigerator cars into far-away markets. It is also quite a large manufacturing center, with a payroll of $45,000 per month.
Buckley, with a population of 1,500, is the center of large sawmilling, farming and mining industries.
Orting is a town with 800 people, chiefly engaged in gardening and farming. The State Soldiers' Home is located near, and adds considerable trade to the town.
Sumner has a population of 1,000, is located in the Puyallup valley, and its people form a part of the farmers' association, engaged in fruit-growing, dairying and gardening.
Steilacoom is one of the most beautiful little summer resort towns on Puget sound and is connected with Tacoma by two electric lines.
Sylvan, Gig Harbor, Rosedale, Elgin, Long Branch, Blanchard, and Bee are very prosperous villages of Pierce county, and are located on the shores of Puget sound.
Spanaway, Eatonville, Alderton, Elbe, Meridian, Kapowsin, and McMillan are villages in the interior, on the railroads.
Wilkeson, South Prairie, Carbonado, Fairfax, Pittsburg, and Melmont are coal-mining towns of importance.