Wenatchee, 1898: A Valley Sold on Irrigation and Fruit

In the central part of the state of Washington, where the waters of the Wenatchee flow into the Columbia, is a land that stretches away along the western bank of the Columbia and far up the Wenatchee, that is known as the Wenatchee valley. The name is derived from the beautiful river that rises far away amid the snowy peaks of the Cascade range, and is of Indian origin.

This valley is peculiar in its formation. In the upper part we find a wooded country, but as the river descends it widens out into sagebrush flats, sometimes on one side of the river and sometimes on the other, and again the hills almost meet. Near the mouth it widens out into a more extensive scope of country and forms the chief farming section of the region.

Numerous streams flow into the Wenatchee from the surrounding mountains, many of which are almost as large as the Wenatchee. Along these streams is found some of the wildest, most picturesque scenery in the West.

For untold ages the Indian lived here unmolested. He hunted, camped and fished along these streams. It was not until the year of 1883 that the actual settlers began to arrive, although in the year 1872 Samuel Miller and the Freer brothers established a trading post at the mouth of the Wenatchee river. They purchased the site of two men by the name of Ingraham and McBride. These two men had been carrying on a trade with the Indians for five years. They were stationed at Rock Island sometime before removing to the Wenatchee. They began selling whisky to the Indians, and, to evade the law, had to leave in great haste.

The lonely cabins of a few venturesome bachelors could be seen here and there. Mrs. Arzilla Tripp, who now resides on Mission creek, was the first white woman to make her home in Wenatchee. She came here with her husband fifteen years ago.

Time has wrought great changes since then. The hardy settler has forced his way up river and canyon till all the remote corners are settled. The shrill whistle of the locomotive is heard as it proudly sweeps with its burden of freight along the banks of the river. A town is built on the rocky slope where once the Indian warrior crouched behind the gray boulder to await the approaching foe.

In this age of steam and electricity the wilderness is soon transformed into the habitation of men. And those who long ago sought the freedom of the wild find themselves today surrounded by a busy commercial people, who come to build homes, till the soil, dig for gold and amass wealth.

The portion of the valley bordering on the Columbia has an elevation of 600 feet above the sea level. This was originally covered with sagebrush and bunchgrass. The climatic conditions seem particularly favorable to the growth of all kinds of fruit and vegetables. The winters are usually mild and the summers hot.

The people are engaged in fruit growing, gardening and stock raising. Fruit growing rather leads. Every year large areas are planted to fruit trees. Many orchards have been planted that contain from five to thirty acres. The best paying crops among the larger fruits are apples and peaches, and among the smaller strawberries and blackberries. The man who grows the different varieties of fruit is never without fresh fruit from May till November.

Market gardeners have made considerable money on such crops as onions, tomatoes, sweet corn and melons.

Alfalfa is extensively grown and is found to be one of the most profitable crops raised. It yields from six to seven tons per acre during the season, when well irrigated. It is one of the best fodder plants in existence. It is greatly relished by all animals, even to the chickens and pigs. When combined with bran, ground oats or roots it forms an ideal ration for the cow, hence, it is much sought after by dairymen. Large quantities are shipped every year to the dairymen of Spokane, Seattle and other points. This year it has been selling from $5 to $8 per ton.

The man who raises cattle and horses has access to thousands of acres of bunchgrass land in the surrounding hills. Stock can generally be driven to the range by the middle of March and left until November, often remaining on the range all year.

Like all rainless regions of the West, we have to depend on irrigation for the production of all crops. The results obtained by irrigation are wonderful. There is no uncertainty about crops, for with plenty of water success is assured. The water used for irrigation is brought from distant mountain streams, and irrigates about one-fourth of the valley. The lack of water to irrigate the remaining portion retards our progress somewhat. A ditch is now under construction that will be of great benefit to the valley when completed.

Wenatchee, a prosperous little town of 300 or 400 inhabitants, is situated on the Great Northern railway, near the Columbia. Business has always been good here—even during the season of general financial depression elsewhere. A large amount of shipping is done at this place. During the fruit season shipments are made daily to points along the Great Northern both east and west. Large shipments of cattle are often made. The past year thousands of bushels of wheat from the Big Bend country were shipped from here. The boats on the Columbia have been busy hauling down wheat since early fall. Our shipping facilities are unsurpassed. The produce is brought in close touch with all the Sound markets. Fruit can be placed upon the market the same day it is gathered.

This little valley possesses many attractions for the pleasure-seeker. To the lover of nature the wild mountain scenery is ever a source of wonder and delight. There is such an infinite variety of scene. In passing from one point to another the ever-changing landscape always presents an interesting view. It is an ideal land for the sportsman or those who wish to take an outing during the hot summer months. A day's drive will take you to some charming spot beside lake or stream. Lakes Wenatchee and Chelan are becoming quite popular as summer resorts. They are about the same distance from Wenatchee, and both are easily reached. These beautiful lakes are nestled away among the spurs of the Cascades, though many miles apart. This wild region is the home of the bear, goat, and deer, and many smaller animals. Fish are found in great abundance in all our lakes and streams.

Wenatchee's central location is favorable to her growth and prosperity. To the east we have the big wheat-producing country of the Big Bend; on the north a rich mineral region, and our railroad connections bring us to the very door of a rising young commercial city on Puget Sound—a city that is extending her trade to Japan and all the Pacific Northwest.