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| Ellensburg,
Washington |
Many people who visit the Kittitas Valley find that
the area has an unmistakable draw. It’s easy
to get here and hard to leave.
This was the case for the Yakama Indians who hunted
and fished in the valley, and it was the case for
the first settlers in the early 1860s.
Originally called Robbers Roost after the town’s
original trading post, Ellensburg was a gathering
place for cattle herders. Trading post owner A.J.
Splawn also did considerable fur trading with the
local Indian populations.
In 1872, Splawn sold the store to John Alden Shoudy
and his wife Mary Ellen Stewart, whose name would
become the "Ellen" in Ellensburg.
After a population boom between 1878 and 1883, the
city was incorporated. Three years later, the Northern
Pacific Railroad came to Ellensburg in the form
of a passenger train from Yakima.
By 1889, Ellensburg was under serious consideration
to become the state capital because of its central
location, and the castle on Third Avenue was built
as the governor’s mansion. But when most of
the downtown was destroyed by fire on July 4, 1889,
the bid went to Olympia instead. However, the city
was elected for the state Normal School, which would
become Central Washington University in 1890.
The citizens quickly rebuilt, painting a phoenix
on the side of the Davidson Building to symbolize
the rise from the ashes.
Important Dates:
1894 The Post Office changed the spelling of the
town from Ellensburgh to Ellensburg.
1896 Fitterer Brothers Furniture opened and is still
open today.
1905 The first automobiles crossed Snoqualmie Pass.
1909 The Daily Record began reporting for Kittitas
County
1923 The Labor Day rodeo started and is now the
oldest and largest rodeo in the state.
1930 The rare Ellensburg Blue agate became known
to collectors. It is now sold around the world.
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