Koehler Tulip Farm Mural - Orting, WA
Posted by: 
The-DuHawks
N 47° 05.876 W 122° 12.333
10T E 560287 N 5216353
This mural is located in downtown Orting, WA at Calistoga Avenue and Van Scoyce Avenue S.W.
Waymark Code: WM5VMC
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 02/16/2009
Views: 10
................................KOEHLER MURAL........................
In 1892 Karl Koehler & his Brother Paul immigrated to Orting from Mittlweida, Germany & brought the 48 acre Whitesell Hop Farm (Circa 1865)for $6000 in gold. Each year native Americans from Vancouver, BC & local settlers picked the hops. The hops were kiln dried, bailed & sold to brokers. The Koehler Farm was awarded "Best Hops" per acre on the West Coast in 1920.
In the 1930s, Koehler tore out his apple orchard & hop field to make room for more than 800 varieties of tulips, all of which came from Sassenheim, Holland. The entire family worked the farm to produce and sell tulips. In the spring, the photographers and the public woud drive out from the cities to view ther fields. While at the farm they would buy cut flowers and place their bulb orders for for fall delivery.
In the 1940's the Koehler Tulip Farm was featured in the following publications: National Geographic, Saturday Evening Post, and Colliers Magazine with Pictures and stores about the farm.
Although Koehler died in 1942, his wife Elsie continued to work the farm for another 18 years. Elsie died in 1980. Louise Marie, Helene, and Karl Koehler Jr. still live in Orting and the Puget Sound Area.
The hundred plus year old hop building deteriotated and collapsed in the early 1980s.
Th mural was painted by Linda Petchnick of Enumclaw, WA
City: Orting, WA
Location Name: Work Sport Outdoors Building
Artist: Linda Petchnick of Enumclaw, WA
Date: Commissioned on July 29, 2002
Media: Wood
Relevant Web Site: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and description of your visit. One original photo of the mural must also be submitted. GPSr photo NOT required.