Featured Businesses
Cle Elum, WA
Cle Elum, Washington, located in the Kittitas Valley, was founded in the 1880s amid the region’s coal mining boom. The area was originally home to the Kittitas band of the Yakama Nation, who utilized the land for hunting and gathering. The town’s name, derived from a Native term meaning “swift water,” reflects the nearby Cle Elum River.
In 1883, Walter J. Reed and Thomas L. Gamble established a trading post, marking the town’s early beginnings. The discovery of coal in the 1880s spurred growth, attracting miners and settlers. The Northern Pacific Railway’s arrival in 1886 solidified Cle Elum’s role as a coal mining hub, with the Northwestern Improvement Company operating major mines. By 1889, Cle Elum was incorporated, and its population swelled with immigrants, particularly from Italy, Croatia, and Scandinavia, seeking work in the mines.
A devastating fire in 1918 destroyed much of the downtown, but the community rebuilt with brick structures, many still visible today. The coal industry peaked in the early 20th century but declined by the 1930s due to competition from oil and gas. As mining waned, logging and agriculture, including hay and cattle, became economic mainstays.
Cle Elum adapted, leveraging its natural beauty and proximity to the Cascades for tourism. The 1930s saw the development of the Cle Elum Ski Club, one of the oldest in the U.S., and the town became a gateway for outdoor recreation. The establishment of the Suncadia Resort in the 2000s boosted tourism further.
Today, Cle Elum, with a population of around 2,000, blends its industrial past with a vibrant present. Historic sites like the Cle Elum Telephone Museum and the Coal Mines Trail preserve its heritage, while its downtown, with bakeries and breweries, attracts visitors. The town remains a close-knit community, embracing its roots while thriving as a recreational hub.
