Des Moines History Timeline 1870

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Samuel "Sam" Stone established a homestead on Poverty Bay at what became known as Stone's Landing, now Redondo. His claim is generally regarded as the first non-Native settlement in the Redondo area and among the earliest in the future Federal Way region. He first visited area in 1869. Stone's Landing became an important landing point for steamers serving communities along Puget Sound. After a dock collapse on June 23, 1907 that killed five persons and as local promoters sought to develop the area as a resort destination, the name was changed from Stone's Landing to Redondo, inspired by Redondo Beach.

July 2 - John Moore's homesteaded claim certificate No. 285 issued. He was the first european settler in what became downtown Des Moines.
December 14 - At approximately 9:40 p.m. local time, one of the largest earthquakes in Washington's recorded history struck the North Cascades near Lake Chelan. Estimated at magnitude 6.8–7.2, the shock was felt throughout Puget Sound, including the Des Moines area, and was followed by numerous aftershocks.

March 18 - After the death of his wife and years of living alone, John Moore was judged insane. The county Sheriff sold the land to John Murray on Apr. 22, 1881.
October 19 - At about 4 p.m. local time, residents of Puget Sound reported apparent volcanic activity at Mount Rainier, including a plume resembling smoke or steam rising from the summit. Although some observers believed the mountain had erupted, modern geological studies have found no physical evidence confirming an eruption. It was most likely aA small steam (phreatic) explosion that left little or no geological evidence or increased fumarolic activity (steam venting).
Michael Kelly was an early european settler in what is now the Burien–Highline area. According to a long-standing local tradition, Kelly referred to the area as a "sunny dale," and the name Sunnydale became associated with the community before the name Burien came into common use. He begins "Kelly Road", an early wagon road connecting his homestead and neighboring settlements to Seattle and Tacoma. Historical accounts generally describe it as a private pioneer road rather than a government project. It was cut through dense forest by hand. The precise route of "Kelly's Road" is unknown.

The first schooling in the Sunnydale area was offered by Mrs. Kelly in her kitchen.
August 2 — Adelaide Post Office was established on Puget Sound between present-day Redondo and Dash Point. The farming and waterfront community remained a recognized settlement until its post office closed on January 15, 1931.
December 3 - The Milton (not to be confused with the Milton in Pierce County) post office was established with Walter D. Cotton postmaster. The post office served: Milton, Buenna, and Stone's Landing. It closed on March 10, 1879. On July 18, 1888 the post office reopened with Lorenzo D. Hurlbut as postmaster, but closed in 1890 when the Buenna Post Office opened.