The Oregonian Forgets Kennewick
A major Portland newspaper omits the city from a map of Columbia River ports, triggering a swift and apologetic correction from the editors.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The newspaper the Oregonian, in its issue of Sunday, March 14, devoted one entire page to the coming celebration of the opening of the Celilo canal. The paper published a map showing every city, town, and boat landing, save one, from Astoria to Priest Rapids and Lewiston. The 'save one' was Kennewick. The omission aroused a storm of protest from Kennewick’s Oregonian readers. The calm came with an editorial in the Oregonian stating that Kennewick is one of the most important Washington towns on the Columbia River, possessing three railroads and a serviceable dock, and expressing regret for the draughtsman's error.
“Kennewick is one of the most important Washington towns on the Columbia river. It is growing, enterprising and has a live commercial club.”
City identity and regional prestige were central to the economic health of early 20th-century river towns. Today, Kennewick's status as a 'leading distributing center' has evolved, but the desire to be correctly mapped and recognized in regional media remains a constant civic priority.
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