Independence Day was not the only thing to celebrate on the fourth of July. It’s also the anniversary of the Ballard Locks, which was formally opened July 4, 1917. In this picture, taken on Feb, 3, 1972, the last stern wheeler to work in Puget Sound -- the W.T. Preston -- steams her way into the locks. Preston was officially retired in 1981 and is now displayed in the City of Anacortes Museum & Maritime Heritage Center.

Follow Ballard News-Tribune on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ballardnewstrib

And Twitter at http://twitter.com/ballardnewstrib