Lamoine, Washington — Town Named After a Can of Sardines

Lamoine may owe its name to a grocery shelf.

The settlement was originally platted as Arup by Danish immigrant Nels P. Nelson, who expected a railroad to pass through.

Local accounts say that while residents debated a post-office name, storekeeper Leonard Bragg suggested “Lamoine” after seeing it on a can of sardines.

The sardines won.

The railroad did not.

When the Great Northern built its Mansfield branch around 1909, the tracks bypassed Lamoine for Withrow several miles away.

Even so, the community developed a school, church, hall and businesses serving surrounding farm families.

Only a small population remains today.

Many western towns were named for railroad executives.

Lamoine apparently came from lunch.