Editing Granite Falls, Washington (section)

==Culture==

Granite Falls has several annual community events, the largest of which is Railroad Days in early October. The Railroad Days festival was established in 1965 by a schoolteacher and celebrates the city's local history. It attracts about 5,000 visitors and includes a [[parade]], a [[street fair]], [[carnival]] rides, and tours.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=September 28, 2016 |title=Celebrate Granite Falls' history at Railroad and Reunion Days |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/celebrate-granite-falls-history-at-railroad-and-reunion-days/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=October 2, 2014 |title=Granite Falls hosts family-friendly festival with railroad theme |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/granite-falls-hosts-family-friendly-festival-with-railroad-theme/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>

The city's [[historical society]] opened its museum in October 2007 at a two-story building with {{convert|30,000|sqft|sqm}} of space.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=October 11, 2007 |title=Step back into history in Granite Falls |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/step-back-into-history-in-granite-falls/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Holtz |first=Jackson |date=October 1, 2006 |title=Granite Falls museum is building its new future |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/granite-falls-museum-is-building-its-new-future/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> The museum launched a digitization project in 2016, using volunteer labor to preserve photographs and newspaper records.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=April 15, 2018 |title=History preserved: Granite Falls gets digital makeover |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/granite-falls-gets-digital-makeover/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

===Arts===

The Granite Falls area has been home to several renowned artists, including [[Kenneth Callahan]] and [[Guy Anderson]] in the 1940s and 1950s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ament |first=Deloris Tarzan |date=January 30, 2003 |title=Anderson, Guy (1906-1998) |url=https://historylink.org/File/5157 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref> The city has several works of [[public art]], including downtown murals and sculptures at local schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search the Collection: Granite Falls |url=https://www.arts.wa.gov/search-collection/?request=advanced&_x1105=Granite%20Falls&dtype=d&number=21&index=1 |publisher=[[Washington State Arts Commission]] |access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref> Among them is a {{convert|12|ft|m|adj=mid}} wood carving of [[Bigfoot]] created by a local [[cryptozoologist]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lacitis |first=Eric |date=September 7, 2014 |title=Bigfoot's local devotees have a belief that can't be shaken |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024481564_sasquatchmanxml.html |work=The Seattle Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005155846/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024481564_sasquatchmanxml.html |archive-date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref> In 2000, Granite Falls erected several sculptures depicting [[toilet]]s to raise funds for a [[public restroom]] as part of the annual Art in the Parks festival.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeMillo |first=Andrew |date=July 16, 2000 |title=A can-do town 'knows how to potty' |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000716&slug=4032075 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref>

The 1977 movie ''[[Joyride (1977 film)|Joyride]]'', set in [[Alaska]], and the 2018 movie ''[[Outside In (film)|Outside In]]'' were partially filmed in Granite Falls.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 19, 1976 |title=Pipeline movie made Outside |page=A1 |work=[[Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52504116/pipeline-movie-made-outside/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Horton |first=Robert |date=April 5, 2018 |title=Snohomish County stars in the strong mood film 'Outside In' |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/strong-mood-film-outside-in-was-shot-in-snohomish-county/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref> A local music venue at the Scherrer Ranch was closed in 1995 by the county government after it constructed a stage without permits.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=July 12, 1995 |title=County pulls plug on concert venue |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19950712&slug=2130951 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref>

===Parks and recreation===

Granite Falls is located near recreational areas along the Mountain Loop Highway in the [[Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest]], including sites for hiking, camping, and fishing.<ref name="Activities">{{cite web |title=Activities for Residents and Visitors in the Granite Falls area |url=http://ci.granite-falls.wa.us/?page_id=883 |publisher=City of Granite Falls |access-date=May 14, 2020}}</ref> Among the major attractions on the Mountain Loop Highway are the [[ghost town]] of [[Monte Cristo, Washington|Monte Cristo]] and the [[Big Four Ice Caves]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Evan |date=August 11, 2019 |title=App lets you tour the Mountain Loop Highway with your phone |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/app-lets-you-tour-the-mountain-loop-highway-with-your-phone/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> Other major recreational areas near Granite Falls include [[Lake Bosworth, Washington|Lake Bosworth]] and [[Lake Roesiger, Washington|Lake Roesiger]] to the south, which are both [[fish stocking|stocked]] by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.<ref name="Activities"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Randall |date=April 27, 2006 |title=Snohomish County's top-20 trout lakes |url=https://www.espn.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?page=f_map_06_WA_Snohomish_County |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref>

The city government owns eight parks and [[nature preserve]]s, ranging from small neighborhood parks to city recreational areas. The largest is Frank Mason Park, which encompasses the {{convert|10|acre|ha|adj=mid}} Lake Gardner and {{convert|32.4|acre|ha}} of surrounding land that has been partially developed. The park has a [[fishing pier]], restrooms, picnic tables, and walking paths.<ref name="Comp-PR">{{cite web |date=November 2015 |title=Parks, Recreation & Open Space Element |pages=2–4 |url=http://ci.granite-falls.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Park-Recreation-Open-Space-Element-110415.pdf |work=City of Granite Falls 2015–2035 Comprehensive Plan |publisher=City of Granite Falls |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moriarty |first=Leslie |date=November 12, 2001 |title=Old park gets new name, more |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/old-park-gets-new-name-more/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> The city and local [[school district]] maintain several athletic facilities for residents, as well as a [[skate park]] and [[dog park]].<ref name="Activities"/><ref name="Comp-PR"/>

===Media===

The first newspaper in Granite Falls, the ''Post'', began publishing on July 23, 1903. It was later replaced by the ''Record'' in 1922 and the ''Press'', which later merged with a newspaper in Lake Stevens.{{sfnp|Whitfield|1926|pages=621–622}}<ref>{{cite web |title=About Granite Falls press. (Granite Falls, Wash.) 1946-1970 |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88085233/ |work=[[Chronicling America]] |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> Granite Falls is also served by two regional daily newspapers: ''[[The Everett Herald]]'' and ''[[The Seattle Times]]''.<ref name="Bills">{{cite web |title=Pay Bills |url=http://granitefallswa.gov/?page_id=473 |publisher=City of Granite Falls |access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>

Granite Falls has a [[public library]] that is operated by the regional [[Sno-Isle Libraries]] system, which annexed the city in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |year=2007 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries Capital Facility Plan: 2007–2025 |page=37 |url=https://www.sno-isle.org/assets/7357/7357_20150528032117.pdf |publisher=[[Sno-Isle Libraries]] |access-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905081734/https://www.sno-isle.org/assets/7357/7357_20150528032117.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The {{convert|6,500|sqft|sqm|adj=mid}} library building is located east of downtown Granite Falls and was initially owned by the city government until it was transferred to Sno-Isle in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Daybert |first=Amy |date=January 5, 2012 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries to run Granite Falls library |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sno-isle-libraries-to-run-granite-falls-library/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=May 16, 2016 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries seek input on 10-year growth plan |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160516/NEWS01/160519361 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517101502/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160516/NEWS01/160519361 |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America 2007a.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America]], was active from 2001 to 2023]]

The [[Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America]] was located west of Granite Falls on {{convert|25|acre|ha}} overlooking the Pilchuck River. The [[Shinto shrine]] was one of a few in the United States and was dedicated in 2001 after moving from [[Stockton, California]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Revere |first=Lee |date=June 16, 2004 |title=Shinto is in the nature of shrine |page=H33 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20040616&slug=shrine16n |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> The Tsubaki Grand Shrine was open to the public and hosted several annual festivals and religious ceremonies, as well as [[aikido]] lessons.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramella |first=Sueann |date=October 8, 2013 |title=What's So Special About This Shinto Shrine? The Priest Isn't Japanese, But That's Not All |url=https://www.nwpb.org/2013/10/08/whats-special-shinto-shrine-priest-isnt-japanese-thats-not/ |publisher=[[Northwest Public Radio]] |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> The shrine's head priest was Lawrence Koichi Barrish, among the first non-Japanese people to be ordained as a priest; he retired in 2023 and the shrine was closed.<ref name="Times-Shrine">{{cite news |last=Kiley |first=Brendan |date=April 28, 2023 |title=How one of the country's largest Shinto shrines ended up in tiny Granite Falls |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/how-one-of-the-countrys-largest-shinto-shrines-ended-up-in-tiny-granite-falls/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 2, 2023}}</ref>

The Holy Cross Catholic Church in downtown Granite Falls was built in 1903 and served as a satellite [[Parish (Catholic Church)|parish]] of St. Michael's Catholic Church until 2004. The church's congregation was split between Granite Falls and Lake Stevens until a new church was constructed in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Muhlstein |first=Julie |date=March 20, 2008 |title=With new building, Holy Cross Catholic Church's two congregations can finally be one |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/with-new-building-holy-cross-catholic-churchs-two-congregations-can-finally-be-one/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 4, 2021}}</ref> The old building was renovated for a bilingual Christian church that opened in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=December 12, 2014 |title=Old Granite Falls church to be born again |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/old-granite-falls-church-to-be-born-again/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Muhlstein |first=Julie |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Holy Cross Catholic plans groundbreaking on much larger church |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/holy-cross-catholic-plans-groundbreaking-on-much-larger-church/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 4, 2021}}</ref> The [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS Church]] established a local [[Ward (LDS Church)|ward]] in the 1990s and opened a dedicated chapel adjacent to Granite Falls High School in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Daybert |first=Amy |date=October 16, 2009 |title=New Granite Falls LDS chapel hosts open house |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-granite-falls-lds-chapel-hosts-open-house/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 4, 2021}}</ref> Other religious institutions in the area include a [[Buddhism in Cambodia|Khmer Buddhist]] temple and an [[Evangelical Christian]] church.<ref name="Times-Shrine"/>

===Notable residents===

* [[Kenneth Callahan]], painter and muralist<ref>{{cite web |last=Ament |first=Deloris Tarzan |date=February 14, 2003 |title=Callahan, Kenneth (1905-1986) |url=https://historylink.org/File/5203 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Willo Davis Roberts]], author<ref>{{cite news |last=Woo |first=Elaine |date=January 12, 2005 |title=Willo Davis Roberts, 76; Suspense Author Wrote for Children |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-12-me-roberts12-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Mike Squires (musician)|Mike Squires]], musician and songwriter
* [[Robert Sutherland (Washington politician)|Robert Sutherland]], state representative<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=February 21, 2021 |title=Sutherland is a roiling force with his conservative speak |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sutherland-is-a-roiling-force-with-his-conservative-speak/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}</ref>