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Ellensburg, Washington
Long before the white man came this area was a special place for the Yakima Indians. They gathered berries and other food throughout the winter. They dug the camas root, hunted, and fished for salmon. Some settlers came in the early 1860s, but the community didn't begin to develop until 1870. In 1860 Hald and Meigs established a trading post at the mouth of Manashtash Creek. The first settlement was by Fredrick Ludi and John Galles in 1867. By 1869 the area served as summer range for cattle herds. It was also a gathering place for herds being taken to Idaho and Montana gold mines and to Puget Sound.
A.J. Splawn opened a trading post with Ben Burch. John Gillespie carved a sign for the store, which read Robbers' Roost, and attached it to the store. The name stuck and a settlement was born. Settlers were still scarce so Splawn depended on the fur trade with Indians. He gave traps to the Indians for free so they'd bring back the furs. They did and he did good business that year. In the spring, he bought out Burch. Then he went to The Dalles to trade furs for supplies, and he learned more about what to charge. In 1871, more settlers came in. Splawn fenced a pasture adjoining the store, now where the Northern Pacific depot is. He rented it out to travelling herds.
In 1872, the store was sold to John Shoudy who acquired with it the 160 acre land claim. Shoudy plotted a town site and named it after his wife Mary Ellen, thus establishing the town as Ellensburg. Prior to that, the town had been named Allensburg for the small son of Mr. Borst.
First settlers started gardens and orchards. A Chinese man named Charlie How had a market garden. There were many other chinese gardeners in the area.
In 1886 the Northern Pacific railroad came to town. Chinese laborers were also used to build this track. Low grade iron ore and coal could be mined close by and people began to talk of Ellensburg as the Pittsburgh of the West. Also since it was centrally located, it began to think of itself as the potential capital of the new state. In 1889, at the Admissions convention, the territorial citizens petitioned for statehood. Ellensburg's citizens were planning a capitol site near Helena street, and a mansion for the governor was being built on east third street. On July 4, 1889, fire destroyed most of the business district and many homes. No one died in the blaze. The only major business building to survive was the Lynch block at 5th and Pearl. The Chinatown survived the fire. Most were in restaurant and laundry businesses. The citizens quickly rebuilt, knowing that a capital could not exist in a burned out community. The Davidson Building has a Phoenix perched on top symbolizing the city rising from the ashes with new strength and hope. The town didn't get to be capital but it was elected for the state Normal School, which is now Central Washington University. It did become the county seat.
Early pioneers were the Olmsteads. In 1875 Samuel and Sarah Olmstead came to Ellensburg from Seattle. They brought their three children Phil, Clara, and John. That fall and winter he built a cabin on his 160-acre lot. Coleman Creek supplied fresh water or animals and irrigation. The Creek was a favorite camping spot for the Indians. In 1877 and 78 he planted apple-Russian harvest, crabapple, sour cherry, plum, sweet crabapple trees. He also planted currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and rhubarb. Roses and other flowers were planted too. Many of them still produce today. They also kept cattle in the pasture. During the Indian wars in 1877 to 78, neighbors from isolated homes would come to stay at the Olmstead cabin for protection. Sam died on January 27, 1881. Sarah continued to live on the ranch. Phil Olmstead, Sam's son, operated the farm until 1938. At that time Sam's granddaughters Clareta and Leta took over. In 1968 they donated about half of their original homestead to the state, now operated as Olmstead Place State Park.
Another early pioneer was Walter A. Bull, who came to Kittitas in 1869. He also settled near Coleman Creek. He had one of the first stores in Ellensburg. The Bull ditch was one of the first irrigation ditches built. Another first family was the Curtis family. They came in 1875. After Mr. Curtis died an February 1878, his log cabin was used for a school house, the first school in District No. 6. Clara Olmstead taught school.
The Canady or brick mill was built in 1870 by the Canady Brothers. The flour was called the Calla Lily Brand. The flour was sold to the Northern mines and to the Indians. It was a popular brand.
In April 1885 the Ellensburg Water Company, known as the Town ditch, was incorporated. J.R Wallace, S.D Davidson, Samuel Packwood, John Shoudy, Thomas Johnson, Jacob Sallady, and David Ford each put up $500 for shares. J.T. Kryger was the foreman of the crew that built the ditch. It was the last ditch to be built with hand labor; later canals were built with machinery.
The Historic Davidson Building was built in 1889 after the great fire. The July 4, 1889, fire destroyed much of the city.
Central Washington University was established on March 28, 1890, when Gov Elisha P. Ferry signed legislation that created the Washington state normal school at ellensburg. Its purpose was defined as the training and education of teachers in the art of isntructing and governing in the public schools of the state. The first class of 86 entrolled in 1891. It became Central Washington College of Education in 1937. Then became Central Washington State College in 1961. Achieved university status in 1977. Today hosts the "Chimposium," in which Washoe, the chimpanzee, demonstrates her ability to talk using American sign language.
Fitterer's Brothers furniture store was built in 1896 and still operates today.
The Cascade Canal was built in 1903-04. It diverts the Yakima about 5 miles above Thorp. The Town Ditch was established in 1885 by the Ellensburg water company and was the first large canal in Kittitas County.
The Daily Record has been the community paper for Kittitas County since 1909.
Ellensburg is well known for its Labor Day rodeo, the oldest (1923) and biggest in the state.
John Clymer, artist, is probably Ellensburg's most famous resident. His art has been on the front cover of Saturday Evening Post. His work is on display at National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. He sold his first piece while a high school student in Ellensburg. He was a highly successful illustrator for many yers, including art for Field and Stream magazine and for some of the nation's best known products. He shared covers on the Saturday Evening Post with Norman Rockwell. He has more than 80 covers. But he always looked forward to doing historical subjects of the old wet. He and his wife decided to visit the sites of his proposed paintings and made careful studies to make historically accurate paintings.
In 1974 the Kittitas County Historical Society bought the property, renovated it, and opened the Kittitas County Museum. The Rollinger Rock and Mineral Collection features rocks and minerals found in the valley like the Ellensburg Blue Agate and petrified woods.
Ellensburg Blue agates first came to the attention of collectors about 1930. The town closest to where the agates were being found naturally became associated with the rock probably in the 1930s when the name Ellensburg blue agate first apeared. Today called Ellensburg blue and is known popularly by that name. A typical exposure is the highway cut on US10, 8 miles northwest of town. The formation is about 19 million years old. But it has never consolidated, that is it has not compressed into rock. The landslide bluffs along the ellensburg hills across the river from Thorp are continually shedding stones on US10. Reeser Creek and Dry Creek are where the best finds of the past have been found.
Last updated: 2/16/03