Old Town owes its name to the fact that it was the location of the original settlement called "Tacoma".
In 1865, Job Carr built a cabin near the shore in anticipation of future land speculation due to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
The original cabin location is marked by a plaque at the base of Carr Street.
Job Carr Cabin Museum is a replica of the original, and is situated in Old Town Park.
Today the area features an historical park and a range of restaurants and shops.