Originally a small mining town, Issaquah was incorporated in 1892 as Gilman, Washington, and as people discovered Issaquah’s charm and amenities, the population steadily grew over the years. The town eventually became Issaquah, which is an Anglicized word for a local Native American name meaning "the sound of birds."
Lovely neighborhoods in the surrounding hills have blossomed with many housing options. With many local celebrations and a beautiful natural setting, Issaquah has become quite a popular stop for visitors either as a destination point or as a stop-over as they travel to the mountains for skiing, hiking, and biking.
Issaquah is home to many parks and trails, including Cougar Mountain Zoo, which offers a special Reindeer Festival in December. For the adventurous, there is paragliding off Poo Poo Point. Lake Sammamish and surrounding parks offer many water sports and beautiful waterfront properties.
A favorite spot is Gilman Village, a collection of some of the Northwest’s oldest buildings converted into shops and a cultural center. The downtown area is quaint and features the award winning Village Theatre and many ethnic restaurants. The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery located within the city limits is easily the most-visited hatchery in the state with over 300,000 visitors each year.
Salmon Days, a two-day festival held each fall, celebrates Issaquah and King County’s history, culture, and diversity. The festival also encompasses many arts and crafts, attracting local artists in wood, glass, metal, and other media who offer their wares for sale. Visitors and residents alike also enjoy the great restaurants, wineries, Saturday public market, chocolate factory, theatre, historic depot, and Town Hall Museum. Cultural events include live theater and the Issaquah Art Walks on the first Friday of the month from May to September.