Oldest Town in the 509

What is the oldest incorporated town in Washington State? The small community of Port Steilacoom was the first town/city to be incorporated in 1851 and again in 1854, officially as Steilacoom.

Steilacoom Historical Museum Association (Facebook)

Captain Lafayette Balch, a Marine sea captain, founded Steilacoom in January 1851. Originally he called it “Port Steilacoom.” A few months later John B. Chapman took a donation claim to the west naming his town ”Steilacoom City.” In 1854, the new territorial legislature incorporated “Steilacoom” combining the two rival towns into one. They were joined by Union Avenue.

To give this historical context, Steilacoom officially became a town when it was still part of the Oregon Territory.

Washington Territory became a reality in 1853.

Washington was granted statehood into the Union in 1889.

So, what town East of the Cascades is considered the oldest town? Before writing this, if I were at a local Trivia Night, I would feel comfortable answering Spokane.

Spokane was first known as a settlement known as “Spokane House.” In 1810, this area was known as a trading hub along the Little Spokane and Spokane Rivers. Spokane's official incorporation date is November 29th, 1881.

Would I have been correct?

"Downtown Spokane, 1920s" - PHOTO CREDIT: KSPS Public TV (YouTube)

Some publications on the internet claim that Thorp, in Kittitas County, was the oldest town East of the Cascades. Doing some research, I found that Thorp, Washington, was known as Pleasant Grove in the 1870s. It didn’t officially become known as Thorp until 1895. The town was named in honor of one of the first pioneers who braved the elements and hostilities of the old American West: Fielden Mortimer Thorp.

The Thorp Mill, built in 1883. Credit: Thorp Mill Museum (Facebook)

Another old town of note in Eastern Washington is the small town of Spangle.

Spangle, Washington, located 18 miles to the South of Spokane, was officially incorporated in 1888.

Walla Walla, Washington, was noted on the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1806. In 1818, Fort Walla Walla was established as a fur trading location. Walla Walla officially became an incorporated town on January 11th, 1862.

Walla Walla is the oldest town east of the Cascades.

Towns in North Central Washington with their official Incorporation dates.

Waterville: May 3rd, 1890

Wenatchee was incorporated on Leap Day, February 29th, 1892

Chelan: May 7th, 1902

Cashmere, WA: July 1st, 1904

Leavenworth: September 5th, 1906

Quincy: March 27th, 1907

Ephrata, WA: June 21st, 1909

Brewster: April 29th, 1910

Manson, WA: 1912

East Wenatchee was incorporated on March 11th, 1935