The Failed Promise of the Priest Rapids Valley

When Erle J. Barnes assumed charge of the departments of agriculture and conservation and development, he announced that his predecessors would remain to aid the transition. A primary concern for the new administration is the state-backed land settlement project in the Priest Rapids Valley. Initiated in 1919 with state appropriations to help veterans transition to farming, the project initially saw optimism. However, the project quickly became a site of intense controversy. Settlers debated the viability of the land, the high cost of irrigation water, and the effectiveness of state management. Rumors of failure caused new applicants to avoid the area, leaving dozens of tracts vacant and deteriorating. By the end of 1924, nearly $100,000 had been spent to improve the remaining plots in hopes of attracting settlers, but confidence remained low. Dr. Hinton D. Jones, a former state commander of the American Legion, noted that the resulting 'dissension' and conflicting reports from within the project itself effectively halted further colonization. As of April 1925, the legislature has provided emergency funds while awaiting a full investigation to determine if the state-funded dream of veteran autonomy should be abandoned entirely.