February is Kirkland History Month and participating Kirkland businesses displayed plaques in windows celebrating that history from Feb. 1-28. Those plaques were loaned to the businesses by the Kirkland Heritage Society, the City of Kirkland and 4Culture as part of a program to promote the education and awareness of Kirkland’s rich history.

The plaques can now be seen on the Kirkland Heritage Society’s website at www.kirklandheritage.org.

The plaques were presented by volunteers Mary Cote, Loita Hawkinson, Linda and Wayne Jaton, Marilyn Johnson, Karen Lightfeldt, Bonnie McLeod, Vic Newhard, Frank Rosin, and Karen Schickling and displayed at at businesses at Carillon Point, in Houghton, Juanita, Kingsgate, Totem Lake, downtown Kirkland and Market Street.

Kirkland was founded in 1888 and incorporated in 1905. Peter Kirk came from England to build a steel foundry and dreamed of making Kirkland the Pittsburgh of the West. Although, the mill never opened and all plans were finally abandoned about 1908, Kirkland was platted and settled.

For more about the Kirkland Heritage Society visit the organization’s website.