Winthrop, Washington

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Winthrop, Washington
Town
Winthrop, USA (19801491829).jpg
Downtown Winthrop
Okanogan County Washington Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Winthrop Highlighted.svg
Location of Winthrop, Washington
Coordinates: 48°28′25″N120°10′44″W / 48.47361°N 120.17889°W / 48.47361; -120.17889
Country United States
State Washington
County Okanogan
Area
[1]
 • Total
0.93 sq mi (2.42 km2)
 • Land0.93 sq mi (2.42 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,768 ft (539 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
504
 • Density540/sq mi (210/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98862
Area code 509
FIPS code 53-79380
GNIS feature ID1528259 [2]
Website townofwinthrop.com

Winthrop is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It is east of Mazama and north of Twisp. The population was 394 at the 2010 census, and increased to 504 at the 2020 census. Winthrop adopted an Old West theme for its downtown architecture in 1971 to prepare for the opening of the North Cascades Highway.

Contents

History

Native Americans, including the Methow people, were the first inhabitants of Winthrop, with evidence of human habitation at least 8,000 to 10,000 years before present. [3] They lived along the banks of the Methow, Twisp, and Chewuch rivers, digging camas root, picking berries, fishing, and hunting. Fur trappers visited the valley in the 19th century.[ citation needed ] The Columbia Reservation was established in 1879 by the federal government for Columbia Plateau tribes under the leadership of Chief Moses, but was eliminated to open the Methow Valley to American settlement on May 1, 1886. [3]

In early 1868, placer gold was discovered in the Slate Creek District.[ citation needed ] The lure of gold brought the first permanent white settlers to the upper Methow Valley in the 1880s. A settlement, named Winthrop for adventurer and author Theodore Winthrop, was founded and received a post office on June 18, 1891. [3] The town's first trading post and general store was opened in 1892 by Guy Waring of Boston, who moved with his family to the confluence of the Chewuch and Methow rivers a year before. He became the town's postmaster and unsuccessfully attempted to rename the town "Waring" despite local backlash. [3] Waring later formed the Methow Trading Company and established several businesses; his family settled into the "Castle" (now the Shafer Museum). [4]

The town was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1893. [5] Waring's original Duck Brand Saloon was built in 1891; it survived the fire and is now Winthrop's Town Hall.[ citation needed ] In 1894, a flood carried away the bridge at the north fork of the river at Winthrop. Colonel Tom Hart rebuilt the bridge in 1895 at Slate Creek. Winthrop's industry at this time consisted of a well-equipped sawmill, several dairies, raising cattle, and supplying the local mines with goods. [6] Owen Wister, Waring's Harvard University roommate, wrote The Virginian , America's first western novel, after honeymooning in Winthrop. [4] [5]

Winthrop and the surrounding valley was incorporated into the Washington Forest Reserve by an executive order signed by President Grover Cleveland on February 22, 1897. The order prevented further settlement and development of the valley, but residents protested due to the area's existing use for agriculture; it was modified in 1901 to remove the valley from the protected area. [3] The townsite of Winthrop was formally platted by Waring in 1904; a rival town named Heckendorn was established three years later but was later absorbed into Winthrop when it was incorporated on March 12, 1924. [3] [7] By 1915, most of the mines, except for a few in the Slate Creek area, had shut down.[ citation needed ]

The first plans to build an automobile road across the North Cascades from Bellingham Bay to the Columbia River were approved by the state legislature in 1893. [8] The section through the Methow Valley and Winthrop was completed in 1909 as one of the first highways built by the Washington State Department of Highways and later paved in 1938. [3] Construction of the final 30 miles (48 km) across the mountains did not begin until 1961 and was opened to traffic on September 2, 1972. [9] [10] In anticipation of the new highway and the projected tourist traffic through the town, a large-scale remodeling project was approved in 1971 with funding from a lumber magnate and local businesses. [3] [11] A two-block section of downtown was rebuilt to use 1890s Old West architecture, including false fronts and a boardwalk; by September 1972, 22 buildings had been remodeled. [12] [13] The early design work was contracted to Robert Jorgensen, one of the designers of the Bavarian theme town in Leavenworth, and the project was estimated to cost over $350,000. [3] [14] A design review board was established to maintain the architectural theme, enforced by a "Westernization" ordinance. [15]

Geography

Winthrop lies at the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch rivers in the Methow Valley. [3] The town is in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains at an elevation of 1,760 feet (540 m). [16] The Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and state-managed Methow Wildlife Area surround the Methow Valley. [17]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of 0.94 square miles (2.43 km2), all land. [18] Winthrop has a lake, Pearrygin Lake, that is a popular swimming hole.

Climate

Like most of the Inland Northwest, Winthrop has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dsb), with cold, snowy winters and very warm summers with cool nights and little rainfall. Winthrop and Mazama recorded the coldest temperature ever measured in Washington state at –48 °F (–44.4 °C) on December 30, 1968. [19] The hottest temperature recorded in Winthrop was 109 °F (42.8 °C) on June 30, 2021, but frosts can occur even in summer.

Climate data for Winthrop, Washington, 1991–2020, extremes 1906–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)57
(14)		62
(17)		79
(26)		89
(32)		100
(38)		109
(43)		106
(41)		105
(41)		100
(38)		88
(31)		68
(20)		70
(21)		109
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)43.2
(6.2)		49.1
(9.5)		63.4
(17.4)		75.3
(24.1)		86.3
(30.2)		90.6
(32.6)		97.0
(36.1)		97.3
(36.3)		90.2
(32.3)		76.3
(24.6)		55.4
(13.0)		41.4
(5.2)		98.9
(37.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)29.9
(−1.2)		38.4
(3.6)		50.0
(10.0)		61.1
(16.2)		71.1
(21.7)		76.7
(24.8)		85.8
(29.9)		85.6
(29.8)		77.0
(25.0)		60.9
(16.1)		41.2
(5.1)		29.2
(−1.6)		58.9
(15.0)
Daily mean °F (°C)22.6
(−5.2)		28.2
(−2.1)		37.7
(3.2)		46.7
(8.2)		55.4
(13.0)		61.3
(16.3)		68.3
(20.2)		67.5
(19.7)		59.1
(15.1)		46.4
(8.0)		32.9
(0.5)		22.3
(−5.4)		45.7
(7.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)15.4
(−9.2)		18.0
(−7.8)		25.4
(−3.7)		32.2
(0.1)		39.7
(4.3)		45.9
(7.7)		50.8
(10.4)		49.3
(9.6)		41.2
(5.1)		31.9
(−0.1)		24.5
(−4.2)		15.4
(−9.2)		32.5
(0.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)−6.7
(−21.5)		1.3
(−17.1)		12.4
(−10.9)		22.9
(−5.1)		28.2
(−2.1)		36.7
(2.6)		42.1
(5.6)		39.9
(4.4)		30.3
(−0.9)		19.5
(−6.9)		7.9
(−13.4)		−2.7
(−19.3)		−10.4
(−23.6)
Record low °F (°C)−32
(−36)		−28
(−33)		−11
(−24)		13
(−11)		20
(−7)		28
(−2)		31
(−1)		28
(−2)		18
(−8)		5
(−15)		−17
(−27)		−48
(−44)		−48
(−44)
Average precipitation inches (mm)2.06
(52)		1.28
(33)		1.23
(31)		0.84
(21)		1.13
(29)		1.09
(28)		0.69
(18)		0.45
(11)		0.45
(11)		1.37
(35)		2.03
(52)		2.57
(65)		15.19
(386)
Average snowfall inches (cm)16.6
(42)		8.8
(22)		3.4
(8.6)		0.1
(0.25)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		1.1
(2.8)		7.6
(19)		21.8
(55)		59.4
(149.65)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)21.7
(55)		19.8
(50)		14.1
(36)		0.3
(0.76)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.8
(2.0)		5.1
(13)		15.4
(39)		23.5
(60)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)12.38.77.96.57.67.34.43.84.38.512.313.396.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)10.15.02.10.20.00.00.00.00.00.54.611.734.2
Source 1: NOAA [20]
Source 2: National Weather Service [21]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930 270—
1940 36535.2%
1950 3968.5%
1960 359−9.3%
1970 3713.3%
1980 41311.3%
1990 302−26.9%
2000 34915.6%
2010 39412.9%
2020 50427.9%
Sources:
U.S. Decennial Census [22]
2020 Census [23]

As of the 2010 census, [24] there were 394 people, 205 households, and 109 families residing in the town. The population density was 419.1 inhabitants per square mile (161.8/km2). There were 300 housing units at an average density of 319.1 per square mile (123.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 205 households, of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.8% were non-families. 43.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.59.

The median age in the town was 47.9 years. 17.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 35.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

Arts and culture

Attractions

Winthrop Town Hall Winthrop town hall.jpg
Winthrop Town Hall

Winthrop is known for the American Old West design of all its buildings, making it a tourist destination. The town theme idea was inspired by the example of Leavenworth, Washington, which in turn was heavily based on Solvang, California. [25] Winthrop is a popular cross-country skiing site, with over 120 miles (200K) of groomed trails. [26] [27] Events include the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival, and the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival.[ citation needed ] Winthrop is home to Three Fingered Jack's, the oldest legal saloon in Washington state. [28]

Related Research Articles

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The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington in the United States. The river's 1,890-square-mile (4,900 km2) watershed drains the eastern North Cascades, with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, as much of the river basin is located in national forests and wildernesses. Many tributaries drain the large Pasayten Wilderness. An earlier economy based on agriculture is giving way to one based on recreation and tourism.

Liberty Bell Junior-Senior High School is a high school in Okanogan County, Washington, USA. The school is part of the Methow Valley School District and is located between Twisp and Winthrop. The school serves the towns of Twisp, Winthrop, Mazama and Carlton.

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The Okanogan Complex Fire was a wildfire affecting Okanogan County in north-central Washington state. It was composed of five fires that were caused by lightning strikes on August 15, 2015, with two of the fires near Conconully merging days later on August 19. At its peak, it burned over 304,782 acres (123,341 ha) of land and forced the evacuations of numerous towns, including Conconully, Twisp and Winthrop. Over 1,250 firefighters were deployed to the Okanogan Complex. Three United States Forest Service firefighters were killed in an accident near Twisp on August 19. Traditional methods of containing such wildfires, such as creating bulldozer lines, were not readily available due to the irregular terrain and because an inversion layer trapped smoke in the valley, making it difficult to fly in water by helicopter.

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Hock Mountain is a 7,750-foot-elevation summit located in the Methow Mountains which are a subset of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is situated on the triple-shared boundary of North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, as well as the shared border between Chelan County and Okanogan County. Additionally, it lies one mile southwest of Twisp Mountain, and 2.24 miles (3.60 km) due south of Stiletto Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. The north face is steep, granitic rock, but the west slope is more moderate, allowing a scramble ascent. Precipitation runoff from the north and west sides of Hock drains to the Stehekin River via Bridge Creek, whereas the south and east sides of the mountain drain into the South Fork Twisp River.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother Lode (Methow Mountains)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mother Lode is a 7,905-foot-elevation (2,409-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Okanogan County, Washington. It is situated in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and the peak is approximately two miles east of the crest of the range. Mother Lode is set approximately six miles south of Washington Pass, and the nearest higher neighbor is Gilbert Mountain, three miles to the northeast. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,500 feet above the South Fork Twisp River in one mile. The peak was climbed in 1983 by Rick La Belle and Glen Sterr via the north ridge, and the northeast ridge was climbed in 1985 by Carl and Gordon Skoog. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Twisp River, which in turn is a tributary of the Methow River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gardner Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington, United States

Gardner Mountain is an 8,898-foot-elevation (2,712-meter) mountain summit in Okanogan County of Washington state.

References

  1. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Winthrop". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. 1 2 "Winthrop Chamber". Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Hatcher, Candy (February 9, 2001). "Just about everybody is some sort of activist in this 'Old West with a new age feel'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . p. A1.
  5. ↑ "Legacy Washington". Secretary of the State of Washington. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  6. ↑ Nelson, Don (September 14, 2023). "Winthrop begins planning for its official centennial". Methow Valley News . Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  7. ↑ "North Cascades Highway marks 20th anniversary". The Seattle Times. September 3, 1992. p. F4.
  8. ↑ Solomon, Chris (August 29, 1997). "Cascades Highway turns 25". The Seattle Times. p. F1.
  9. ↑ Dougherty, Phil (March 20, 2015). "North Cascades Highway opens on September 2, 1972". HistoryLink. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  10. ↑ Hill, Bill (June 5, 1971). "Winthrop Going Western on Main Street". Panorama. The Everett Herald . p. 4. Retrieved November 24, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Town Regresses Happily". The Spokesman-Review . September 2, 1972. p. 20. Retrieved November 24, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "As tourism marched eastward Winthrop was preparing". The Seattle Times. October 8, 1972. p. 4.
  13. ↑ Herrington, Gregg (August 26, 1973). "Over The Cascades". The Olympian . Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved November 24, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Nelson, Don (June 27, 2018). "Resignations decimate Winthrop's Westernization Design Review Board". Methow Valley News. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  15. ↑ Winthrop Quadrangle (Map). 1:24,000. United States Geological Survey. 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  16. ↑ Cantwell, Brian J. (September 24, 2015). "Methow Valley trails safe, open and ready for autumn hikes, winter skiing". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  17. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  18. ↑ "United States Extreme Record Temperatures & Differences" . Retrieved November 22, 2008.
  19. ↑ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Winthrop 1 WSW, WA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Spokane". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  21. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Census Bureau profile: Winthrop, Washington". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  23. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  24. ↑ Kirk, Ruth; Carmela Alexander (1990). Exploring Washington's Past: A Road Guide to History. University of Washington Press. pp. 80, 105. ISBN   0-295-97443-5 . Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, Things To Do, Winter Recreation, Cross-Country Skiing". Winthrop Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Sun Mountain Lodge Winter Activities" . Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Three Fingered Jack's Saloon". 3fingeredjacks.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
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