Vader, Washington

Vader, Washington
City
Historic buildings in downtown Vader
Location of Vader, Washington
Coordinates: 46°24′16″N122°57′25″W / 46.40444°N 122.95694°W / 46.40444; -122.95694 [1]
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Lewis
Area [2]
• Total	0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2)
• Land	0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	164 ft (50 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	629
• Density	721.21/sq mi (278.47/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98593
Area code	360
FIPS code	53-73780
GNIS feature ID	2412140 [1]
Website	vaderwa.org

Vader is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 629 at the 2020 census. ^[3]

Etymology

The community was platted under the name Kraft and became known as Little Falls after the waterfalls of the same name on Olequa Creek. ^{[4] [5]} The name was changed to Sopenah by the Northern Pacific Railway after it refused to recognize the moniker because there was already a Little Falls, Minnesota. The townspeople were unsatisfied with the new name and petitioned the Washington State Legislature to change it to Toronto but several communities with that title already existed in the United States, not solving the concern over naming confusion. A dispute then arose which was resolved by a compromise agreement to name the town after a German resident, and Civil War veteran, named Martin Vader. The town name was changed to Vader by the legislature on March 25, 1913. Vader later moved to California or Florida where a myth began that he did not care for the recognition; later reporting stated that he was proud of the honor. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Twice in the 21st century motions have been made to change the community's moniker back to its original name, Little Falls, due to a variety of concerns such as the name of Vader did not encapsulate the meaning of the town, or that the title of Little Falls would be more inviting from a tourism and visitor standpoint. The issue was added to the ballot in 2005 and 2015 to determine voter approval; both attempts failed. ^{[4] [8]} In the 2015 vote, 131 residents voted against the change and 73 in favor. ^[9]

History

Old City Jail, 2024

As Little Falls, the town was incorporated on January 12, 1906. ^[10] During its peak between 1890 and 1920, Vader hosted over 40 businesses, contained two churches, and had a hospital. Businesses included a bowling alley, an opera house, several saloons, and the Vader Moving Picture Theater. ^[5]

Stillwater Lumber and Shingle Mill, 1913-1918

The seven Olson brothers, ^[a] notably Ben Olsen of the Ben Olsen House, began the Stillwater Logging and Lumber Company; the company operated a sawmill in Vader beginning in late December 1907, at its peak employing as many as 180 men. ^{[11] [12] [13]} Olsen also formed a partnership, the Little Falls Water Company, to supply water to the Little Falls community in the early 1910s. ^[14]

The Stillwater lumber mill was purchased by Weyerhaeuser in 1914. ^[15] Despite the facility having a fire suppression system in place by 1915, ^[16] the mill burned down on the evening of January 11, 1916; damages were estimated between $30,000 and $100,000. ^{[17] [18]} The mill was rebuilt but burned down again on the night of September 1, 1918. The fire began from an explosion in the boiler room when new equipment was being installed. Though the plane mill and dry kiln areas survived, the loss of timber and a rail engine were substantial. Damages were estimated at $125,000; the mill had only $35,000 in insurance coverage. ^[19] A formal announcement was made the following month that the mill would not be rebuilt. The Stillwater timber holdings were sold to the Winlock Lumber Company, ^[20] however, Stillwater's logging operations were briefly resumed in March 1919. ^[21] One attempt to rebuild the mill was announced in December 1919. The effort did not materialize. ^[22]

The population may have reached as high as 5,000 residents during its peak. Various disasters and loss of employment led to a decline to the town. In 1914, a clay company burned down. A new, but smaller clay production plant began in 1920 but another fire decimated the facility in 1925. ^[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.93 square miles (2.41 km²), all of it land. ^[23]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	631		—
1920	500		−20.8%
1930	465		−7.0%
1940	479		3.0%
1950	426		−11.1%
1960	380		−10.8%
1970	387		1.8%
1980	406		4.9%
1990	414		2.0%
2000	590		42.5%
2010	621		5.3%
2020	629		1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [24] 2020 Census [3]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, ^[25] there were 621 people, 228 households, and 157 families living in the city. The population density was 667.7 inhabitants per square mile (257.8/km²). There were 258 housing units at an average density of 277.4 per square mile (107.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.9% White, 2.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 7.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population.

There were 228 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.1% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.18.

The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 590 people, 208 households, and 151 families living in the city. The population density was 654.4 people per square mile (253.1/km²). There were 230 housing units at an average density of 255.1 per square mile (98.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.56% White, 0.34% Native American, 1.86% from other races, and 4.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.61% of the population. 16.2% were of German, 12.5% American, 10.7% Irish, 9.5% English and 5.3% Swedish ancestry.

There were 208 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 32.9% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,750, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $35,139 versus $16,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,481. About 21.9% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Ben Olsen House

Festivals and events

Vader has hosted an annual event known as the May Day Festival since 1952 which is held on the first Saturday of May. ^[26] The celebration includes a maypole dance and a parade. It began through the actions of Lena DeAger, a leader of a local Girl Scout troop, and the first years included scouts parading on decorated bicycles and wagons. Over the years, the festival has incorporated car shows, a cake walk, and the coronation of a May Day Queen, who used to be elected based on the most amount of money collected through donation jars. ^[27]

Historic buildings and sites

The city is home to the Gothic-style Grace Evangelical Church of Vader, a National Register of Historic Places recognized building that is in current use under the United Methodist Church. ^[28]

A second building within Vader is also listed with the NRHP, the Ben Olsen House. ^{[10] [29]} The mansion was built in 1903 to serve the Olsen family ^[b] who owned the Stillwater Lumber Co. and Mill; it was the first home in the community to have electricity. ^[5]

Parks and recreation

J.K. Werden Memorial Park, 2024

Vader is home to McMurphy Park, a 13-acre (5.3 ha) parcel donated by a former resident in 2001. Located north of the main hub of the town, it is bordered by Olequa Creek and the Little Falls of Vader, and a portion of the park is outside the city limits. The grounds were built up to be a park by community efforts, finishing most of the early efforts in 2007. Plans for the site include an amphitheater, ball fields, playgrounds, and camping and picnic amenities. As part of the donation, a large black walnut tree was to be left standing. ^[30]

J.K. Werden Memorial Park became an official park in Vader in 2005 and is situated near the downtown core. ^[31] Originally 175 ft × 120 ft (53 m × 37 m) in size, a land purchase approved in late 2015, and paid for by a $10,000 grant, doubled the park area. ^[32] The parcel received upgrades in 2009 for bathroom and kitchen facilities, a basketball court was built in 2015, and new playground equipment in 2021, similar to Penny Playground in Chehalis. ^[31] The park is also home to Vader's Old City Jail. ^[33]

Politics

Voting

Presidential Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020 [34]	58.52%175	37.46% 112	4.02% 12

The 2020 election included 8 votes for candidates of the Libertarian Party.

Government

The city council for Vader is composed of five at-large, non-partisan members who, along with the mayor, are elected to serve four-year terms. ^[35]

Education

The first school in Little Falls-Vader was a schoolhouse constructed near the falls. The one-room school building existed before the build of a second school in 1892. A two-story schoolhouse, for up to eighth grade, was built in 1930. ^[5]

The grade school in Vader, built in the 1950s, ^[5] closed in 2007 after a local levy and bond measure failed. The measures were meant to fund maintenance and operations at the school and improve the safety of the campus. Students were transported to a temporary school in Toledo. ^[36] The Vader school district was absorbed under the oversight of the Castle Rock district but students are allowed to choose to attend schools in more nearby locations. ^[37]

Notable people

• Robert Cantwell, novelist and critic
• Herbert Heyes, silent film actor

Notes

1. The last name is often, if not overwhelmingly so, spelled as Olson, however some accounts use the name written as Olsen. See sources throughout the section for the discrepancy.
2. The family name is spelled Olsen or Olson, depending on the source.

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Vader, Washington
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
3. "2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 16, 2022.
4. Stanton, Carrina (November 9, 2005). "Vader name change attempt failing". The Chronicle. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
5. Hull, Laurie (April 2, 2002). "Spirit of Little Falls still roams in Vader". The Chronicle. pp. A1, A7. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
6. "RR Ticket To Vader Didn't Name Town". The Daily Chronicle. October 10, 1966. p. G4. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
7. "Vader". Washington Place Names database. Tacoma Public Library. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
8. The Chronicle staff (November 5, 2015). "Goodbye, Little Falls: Vader to Keep Its Name". The Chronicle. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
9. Osowski, Kaylee (November 25, 2018). "Incumbent Councilor in Vader Loses Seat; Mayor Retains Position". The Chronicle. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
10. Stanton, Carrina (February 3, 2021). "'Old Houses Matter': Vader Woman Thinks the Town's Past Could Be Key to the Community's Future". The Chronicle . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
11. "Grandson of Colorful Northwest Pioneer Quietly Observes 78th Birthday at Vader". The Daily Chronicle . July 9, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
12. Jones, Pat (February 6, 2002). "Historic home, church part of 'An Old Fashioned Christmas"". The Chronicle. p. A3. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
13. "Little Falls". The Centralia News-Examiner . December 27, 1907. p. 2. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
14. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Ben Olsen House". National Park Service . Retrieved January 24, 2025. With accompanying pictures
15. Hardina, Nicole (2020). "Vader". Little Washington - A Nostalgic Look at the Evergreen State's Smallest Towns. Adventure Publications. ISBN   9781591938460 . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
16. "Vader Street Improvement - Better Fire Protection". The Daily Chronicle-Examiner . September 4, 1915. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
17. "Fire Destroys Vader Mill". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget . January 14, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
18. "Untitled - 4th column". Aberdeen Herald . January 14, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
19. "$125,000 Fire Loss At Vader". The Centralia Daily Chronicle. September 2, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
20. "Mill Won't Rebuild". The Centralia Daily Chronicle. October 10, 1918. p. 8. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
21. "Business Locals - 3rd column". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. March 7, 1919. p. 6. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
22. "Vader Sawmill To Be Rebuilt". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. December 26, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
23. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
24. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
26. Spurr, Kyle (May 5, 2013). "Vader Cruises into Spring With May Day Festival". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
27. Carroll, Brian (May 2, 2013). "Maintaining a Vader Tradition Through Changing Times". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
28. Kunkler, Aaron. "Vader Church Celebrating 125 Years of Faith". The Chronicle. No. September 22, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
29. "NRHP - Ben Olsen House". npgallery.nps.gov. National Park Service.
30. Drucker, Sheryl (July 31, 2007). "Vader Community Creating Park, Many Work Together to Open Up McMurphy Park". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
31. Rosane, Eric (July 2, 2021). "Parks in Vader, Napavine to Receive a Combined $542K in State Funding". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
32. The Chronicle staff (November 13, 2015). "Vader Council OKs Soil Testing, Purchase of Property to Double Size of Werden Park". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
33. "Parks and Facilities". City of Vader. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
34. "Lewis County 2020 Election". Results.Vote.WA. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
35. "Vader City Council". City of Vader. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
36. Wagar, Michael (May 7, 2007). "Vader Celebrates May Day". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
37. Stanton, Carrina (June 30, 2017). "Vision for Vader: Citizens Group Hopes to Bring More Life to Little Falls". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 15, 2024.