The Pioneer Founder of Centralia
George Washington, the 86-year-old Black founder of Centralia, reflects on a half-century of city building.
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.
George Washington, the venerable and highly respected gentleman known as the 'Father of Centralia,' is 86 years of age and in good health. He settled here fifty-two years ago. When he arrived, no white settlers were present; a band of Indigenous people occupied the site. 'In ten or fifteen years,' says Mr. Washington, 'I managed to get hold of a right smart piece of land; nearly 800 acres; comprising the present site of our beautiful and prosperous city. I have disposed of it all except fifty-five acres.' Mr. Washington is counted one of Centralia's wealthiest citizens.
“When he settled here there were no white folks here and a band of Indians occupied the present site of Centralia.”
George Washington (1817–1905) is a pivotal figure in Washington State history, having founded Centralia (originally called Centerville). His life story represents the complexities of Black migration to the Oregon Territory and the displacement of Indigenous populations during the nineteenth century.
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