Nesika, Washington

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Nesika
Flooded town
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Nesika
Coordinates: 46°28′26″N122°17′21″W / 46.47389°N 122.28917°W / 46.47389; -122.28917
Abandoned1968

Nesika was an unincorporated town in Lewis County, Washington, southeast of Mossyrock. It is now a flooded town.

Contents

Etymology

The name of the town was chosen by Mrs. J. T. Chilcoat, an earlier settler. It is derived from the Cowlitz language name of the area, meaning "we, our, ours, us, or mine". [1]

History

The town's post office was constructed in April 1898. [1] The area was primarily inhabited by the Cowlitz people and Nesika was known for a balancing rock landmark located off Highway 5. [2]

Cowlitz Bridge

In 1914, the town was connected via bridge over the Cowlitz River to Riffe. The bridge faced issues as floods changed the course of the Cowlitz River and subsequently damaged the span multiple times. The 848 foot (258 metres)-long structure lasted until November 1967, a few months ahead of its scheduled demolition once the new reservoir of Mossyrock Dam had filled the valley. The creosote planking was accidentally set ablaze by workers using cutting torches. The fire destroyed 200 feet (61 m) of the bridge, which was permanently closed and later salvaged. [2]

Flooding

The town remains submerged under Riffe Lake, the reservoir created by the Mossyrock Dam. [2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Revisiting Washington — Riffe Valley". revisitwa.org. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Mittge, Brian (June 12, 2015). "Underwater Towns of the Cowlitz River: A Look Back at Kosmos, Nesika and Riffe". The Daily Chronicle. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
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