It is believed that people coming from Mongolia
about 13000 years ago first populated the Pacific Northwest. Prior to the arrival
of explorers from Europe, this region of the Pacific Coast had many established
tribes of Native Americans, each with its own unique culture. Some of these groups
lived west of the Cascades Mountains. The Chinook, Nisqually, Quinault, and Puyallup
hunted deer and fished for salmon and clams. Others, the Cayuse, Colville, Spokane,
and Nez Perce, lived east of the Cascades on the plains and valleys. Today, they
are most notable for their totem poles and their ornately carved canoes and masks
(The world's tallest totem pole - 105 feet high - is located in Tacoma.) Prominent
among their industries were salmon fishing and whale hunting.
As part of the vast Oregon Country, Washington
territory was visited by Spanish, American, and British explorers - Bruno Heceta
for Spain in 1775, the American Capt. Robert Gray in 1792, and Capt. George Vancouver
for Britain in 1792-1794. Lewis and Clark explored the Columbia River region and
coastal areas for the U.S. in 1805-1806. In 1778, British explorer Captain James
Cook sighted Cape Flattery, at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but the
straits would not be explored until 1789, by Captain Charles W. Barkley. Further
explorations of the straits were performed by Spanish explorers Manuel Quimper in
1790 and Francisco de Eliza in 1791, then by British Captain George Vancouver in
1792.
But the very first record of an European landing
on the Washington coast remains Spanish Captain Don Bruno de Heceta in 1775, on
board the Santiago, part of a two-ship flotilla with the Sonora. They claimed all
the coastal lands up to the Russian possessions in the north for Spain.
In 1819, Spain ceded their original claims
to this territory to the United States. This began a period of disputed joint-occupancy
by Britain and the U.S. that lasted until June 15, 1846, when Britain ceded their
claims to this land with the Treaty of Oregon creating the 49th parallel as the
border between Washington and Canada. By 1850, more than 1,000 people lived in Washington.
This led to the creation of the Washington Territory in 1853. On November 11th 1889,
Washington became the 42nd state to join the Union, with Olympia as the state capital.
In 1890, Washington's population reached more than 350,000.
Washington is a leading lumber producer. Its
rugged surface is rich in stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa and white pine,
spruce, larch, and cedar. The state holds first place in apples, lentils, dry edible
peas, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries, and ranks
high in apricots, asparagus, grapes, peppermint oil, and potatoes. Livestock and
livestock products make important contributions to total farm revenue and the commercial
fishing catch of salmon, halibut, and bottomfish makes a significant contribution
to the state's economy.
During the Great Depression, a series of hydroelectric
dams were constructed along the Columbia river as part of a project to increase
the production of electricity. The Grand Coulee Dam, largest in the United States,
was the last of this series of dams assuring abundant power for the area. Washington
has over 1,000 dams built for power, flood control, irrigation and water storage.
In World Wars I and II heavy industry developed
in the Puget Sound area. The Boeing Company became a major supplier of aircraft
for the war effort. In addition several Washington ports manufactured warships.
In 1962 Seattle hosted the first World's Fair
since World War II. It was heralded for futuristic concepts and the Space Needle
(607 ft. high) built then is a major tourist destination. In recent times, Seattle
has become a major computer software center, and the home base of numerous industry
leaders including Microsoft, one of the most powerful companies in the world.
On May 18, 1980, following a period of heavy
tremors and eruptions, the northeast face of Mount St. Helens exploded outward,
destroying a large part of the top of the volcano. This eruption flattened the forests,
killed 57 people, flooded the Columbia River and its tributaries with ash and mud,
and blanketed large parts of Washington and other surrounding states in ash, making
day look like night.
Washington Famous People
- Bob Barker (1923 - ) Host of the popular television show
The Price is Right; born in Darrington.
-
William Boeing (1881 - 1956) Aircraft manufacturer who founded the Boeing
Aircraft company; lived in Seattle.
- Kurt
Cobain (1967 - 1994) Grunge rock icon, guitarist/vocalists/song writer of
Nirvana; born in Hoquiam.
- Fred Couples
(1959 - ) Professional golfer; born in Seattle.
- Bing Crosby
(1903 - 1977) Singer and actor; born in Tacoma.
- Bill Gates
(1955 - ) Chairman and Chief Software Architect of Microsoft Corporation; born;
grew up in Seattle.
- Jimi
Hendrix (1942 - 1970) Rock & roll guitarist; born in Seattle.
- Kenny Loggins (1948
- ) Singer, songwriter; born in Everett.
- Phil Mahre
(1957 - ) Skier, 3-time World Cup overall champ
(1981-83); finished 1-2 with twin brother Steve in 1984 Olympic slalom; lives in
Yakima.
- Francis Scobee
(1939 - 1986) Astronaut; born in Cle Elum.
- Hilary Swank (1974 - ) Oscar winning actress; born in Bellingham.
- Adam West (1928 - )
Actor who played the original Batman; born in Walla Walla.
- Audrey Wurdemann (1911 - 1960) Pulitzer prize winning poet for Bright Ambush.