Early Era Pre-20th Century is an essential corrective to the “pioneer” narrative often taught in Washington State History. This lesson moves the focus from 1889 statehood back to 1775, exploring how Latino and Spanish crews were the first non-native people to establish settlements in places like Neah Bay. It centers the Origins and Indigeneity framework by examining how these early settlements intersected with and impacted Indigenous tribes in the region.
Designed for a focused 40-minute block, the lesson utilizes the Latino History in Washington State text by Dr. Gonzalo Guzmán. Students engage in a KWL (Know, Wonder, Learned) routine to surface prior knowledge and address misconceptions about Latinx presence in the PNW. Through guided discourse, students analyze the vital role of Mexican Mulepackers—highly skilled laborers whose mastery of transportation was the backbone of the region’s early mining and fur-trapping economies. The lesson concludes with a Free Write reflection, allowing students to process the surprising history of Latino-rooted ecological catalogs and landscape profiles that preceded American territorial status.
What’s Included
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Detailed 40-minute lesson plan with structured Think, Pair, Share and journaling protocols.
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KWL Chart Template for tracking prior knowledge and new takeaways.
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Timeline Graphic Organizer designed to help students map key dates from 1775 to 1889 statehood.
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Vocabulary Bridge Module defining subject-specific terms like Expedition, Provisions, and Regiment.
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Guided Discourse Questions focused on the critical role of Latino labor in 19th-century transportation.
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Alignment with WAESN Elements of Liberation (Origins/Indigeneity & Power/Oppression) and WA State Social Studies standards for historical inquiry.
Why Educators Use This Lesson
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Recovers Hidden History: Introduces students to Jose Mariano and Anastasio Echeverria, whose scientific and artistic work provided the first detailed profiles of the Washington area.
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Centers Indigenous Impact: Explicitly discusses how early non-native settlements impacted the Indigenous tribes of the PNW.
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Modern Connections: Uses student discourse to bridge the history of 19th-century mulepackers to modern essential workers like truck drivers and delivery services.
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Scaffolded Research: The KWL and timeline tools provide clear structures for students to manage a dense historical text.
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Flexible Implementation: Works as a powerful introductory piece to a broader Washington State History course or as a standalone Ethnic Studies module.
This is the lesson that proves Latinx history in Washington didn’t start at the border—it started at the coast.