Algona is located in the beautiful Green/White River Valley in the south of King County, close to the Pierce County border in the northwest metroplex. The atmosphere of the town is very rural. Breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and lush hillsides to the east and west of the valley make you feel as though you went to sleep and awoke in rural America, 1960. The town was originally called Valley City but was changed to Algona because there was already a post office in Eastern Washington with that name. The name Algoma, an Indian word meaning “Valley of Flowers,” was agreed upon, because everyone in the town had beautiful flowers. The postal authorities accepted but misspelled it as Algona and after spending years fighting for a correction in the spelling, they reluctantly accepted the government’s name.

Centrally located between Seattle and Tacoma, Auburn is in the heart of the Green River Valley with easy access to the best of both cities. It is a warm, embracing community rich in history where you’ll find new businesses mingling with old; a historic downtown getting acquainted with a new, modern facade. It was home to some of the earliest settlers in King County. In 1855 a treaty with several White River Tribes established the Muckleshoot reservation, which is now the only Indian reservation within the boundaries of King County. Originally the town was named Slaughter, after a US Army Lt. William Slaughter, who was killed in an Indian uprising. Many residents felt uncomfortable with that name and within two years, the town was renamed Auburn.