Sumner prides itself on being “The Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World” and now it has a Web site to celebrate the distinction and share information with the world.

The site, www.rhubarbpiecapital.com, features a history lesson on the local history of rhubarb, including the arrival of the first shipment in Sumner in 1893 and how Henry Knoblauch became the first rhubarb grower in Sumner by planting the crop in 1914.

Other growers emerged, including the Leslie Brothers, who started their business in 1919. Through the years, responsibility for the business was handed down through generations and it is now known as Leslie and Son.

Following this, two large growing associations formed in the area and were called Puget Sound Vegetable Growers and Sumner Rhubarb Growers Association. More of the history is available at the site, but what rhubarb fans might be most interested in are the recipes provided under the site’s baking section.

Recipes collected from across the country and Washington state include rhubarb torte bars, rhubarb cookie cake and rhubarb sorbet. If visitors to the site are feeling generous, they may share their recipes for rhubarb treats by filling out a form online. Periodically, recipes are posted to the site to allow everyone to enjoy the flavors of Sumner’s famous crop.

To comment on this story view it online at www.blscourierherald. Reach Chaz Holmes at 360-802-8208.

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