Chelan, Washington
Encyclopedia
Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan
, where the lake flows into the Chelan River
.
Chelan is part of the Wenatchee
–East Wenatchee
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
in the 1870s, Lt. Colonel Henry Clay Merriam of the United States Army
established Camp Chelan at the foot of Lake Chelan
to control and safeguard the Indian population on the Moses Columbia Reservation. His family was with him for the 1880 Federal Census. The lake was largely non-accessible because of its sheer cliffs on most sides so a makeshift road was built from the fort to the Columbia River
where a courier and mail service from Walla Walla
were established. The fort only remained for about a year and was abandoned in October 1880 when the troops relocated to Fort Spokane
.
The first European settlers in the area were William Sanders and Henry Dumpke, who arrived in 1886. After traversing several cliffs and streams and losing their horse, they safely arrived at the foot of the lake and were welcomed by the natives who encouraged them to stake claims. The presence of these settlers paved the way for more settlers to move to the valley. In 1888, L.H. Woodin of Minneapolis arrived in the valley and paddled up the lake in a skiff. Impressed by the area, Woodin constructed a sawmill at the foot of the lake. Chelan's main street is named for Woodin. At the same time, local ranchers were beginning to discover that orchards could be planted without the need of irrigation.
The town was plat
ted and lots sold quickly. A post office
was established in 1890. A school was built in 1892 followed by the first resort hotel, taking advantage of the area's natural beauty. Following the Panic of 1893
, hard times began in earnest but never affected Chelan completely. The first bank was established in 1893. Chelan was officially incorporated on May 7, 1902. In 1903, the city gained electric lights and water service via nearby Donaldson Springs. A permanent town hall was constructed in 1904 (but was destroyed by fire in 1927). The town continues to grow as an agricultural center and resort community which helps it thrive to this day.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.0 km²), of which, 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (2.84%) is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,522 people, 1,471 households, and 939 families residing in the city. The population density was 933.9 people per square mile (360.7/km²). There were 2,058 housing units at an average density of 545.7 per square mile (210.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.69% White, 0.11% African American, 1.53% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 9.23% from other races
, and 2.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.45% of the population.
There were 1,471 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,047, and the median income for a family was $33,662. Males had a median income of $31,900 versus $21,397 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,511. About 17.3% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Chelan has one sister city, according to http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ and http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/WA:
Tojo, Hyōgo
, Japan
Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a narrow, 55-mile-long lake in Chelan County, northern Washington state, U.S. It is the largest natural lake in Washington state...
, where the lake flows into the Chelan River
Chelan River
The Chelan River is a tributary of the Columbia River, in the U.S. state of Washington. Just long, it is the shortest river in Washington. Lake Chelan Dam is located at the river's source: the outlet of Lake Chelan. Nearly the entire river's flow is diverted to the Lake Chelan Powerhouse, ...
.
Chelan is part of the Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
–East Wenatchee
East Wenatchee, Washington
East Wenatchee is a city in Douglas County, Washington, United States along the northern banks of the Columbia River. The population at the 2010 census was 13,190, a 129.1% increase over the 2000 census....
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
During a period of unrest between settlers and Native AmericansIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
in the 1870s, Lt. Colonel Henry Clay Merriam of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
established Camp Chelan at the foot of Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a narrow, 55-mile-long lake in Chelan County, northern Washington state, U.S. It is the largest natural lake in Washington state...
to control and safeguard the Indian population on the Moses Columbia Reservation. His family was with him for the 1880 Federal Census. The lake was largely non-accessible because of its sheer cliffs on most sides so a makeshift road was built from the fort to the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
where a courier and mail service from Walla Walla
Walla Walla
Walla Walla can refer to:*Walla Walla people, a Native American tribe after which the county and city of Walla Walla, Washington, are named-Places:Washington state, United States*Walla Walla River, the river along which the Walla Walla tribe lived...
were established. The fort only remained for about a year and was abandoned in October 1880 when the troops relocated to Fort Spokane
Spokane
Spokane is a city in the U.S. state of Washington.Spokane may also refer to:*Spokane *Spokane River*Spokane, Missouri*Spokane Valley, Washington*Spokane County, Washington*Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War*Spokane * USS Spokane...
.
The first European settlers in the area were William Sanders and Henry Dumpke, who arrived in 1886. After traversing several cliffs and streams and losing their horse, they safely arrived at the foot of the lake and were welcomed by the natives who encouraged them to stake claims. The presence of these settlers paved the way for more settlers to move to the valley. In 1888, L.H. Woodin of Minneapolis arrived in the valley and paddled up the lake in a skiff. Impressed by the area, Woodin constructed a sawmill at the foot of the lake. Chelan's main street is named for Woodin. At the same time, local ranchers were beginning to discover that orchards could be planted without the need of irrigation.
The town was plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted and lots sold quickly. A post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was established in 1890. A school was built in 1892 followed by the first resort hotel, taking advantage of the area's natural beauty. Following the Panic of 1893
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1893 was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, this panic was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing which set off a series of bank failures...
, hard times began in earnest but never affected Chelan completely. The first bank was established in 1893. Chelan was officially incorporated on May 7, 1902. In 1903, the city gained electric lights and water service via nearby Donaldson Springs. A permanent town hall was constructed in 1904 (but was destroyed by fire in 1927). The town continues to grow as an agricultural center and resort community which helps it thrive to this day.
Geography
Chelan is located at 47°50′34"N 120°1′17"W (47.842858, -120.021312).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.0 km²), of which, 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (2.84%) is water.
Demographics
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.45% of the population.
There were 1,471 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,047, and the median income for a family was $33,662. Males had a median income of $31,900 versus $21,397 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,511. About 17.3% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Sister cities
Tojo, Hyōgo
Tojo, Hyogo
was a town located in Katō District, Hyōgo, Japan.On March 20, 2006 Tōjō was merged with the towns of Takino and Yashiro, all from Katō District, to form the new city of Katō....
, Japan