Beverly, Washington
Encyclopedia
Beverly, Washington is a small community along the banks of the Columbia River
in central Washington state. The community, which consists of a few hundred residents, is just a few miles downriver from Wanapum Dam
and is nestled at the base of what locals call Sentinel Gap, a huge basalt formation that juts out into the river.
.
Beverly played host to hundreds of railroad workers from 1905-1920s when the Milwaukee Railroad
was being built. The Milwaukee constructed a million-dollar bridge
across the Columbia just north of Beverly, which was completed in 1909. Supplies to build the bridge were shipped via steamboat from points upstream, and were hauled in on other rail lines. The bridge took nearly two years to complete.
Beverly's early success depended partially on steep grades on the railroad, which meant helper locomotives were require to drive the trains. Colorful brochures were printed and distributed back east by companies touting Beverly's long growing season and sheltered location.
During World War II
thousands of railcars moved thorough Beverly en route to the nearby Hanford facility
. At that time, the station in Beverly (now vacated) was remodeled and enhanced. Sometime in the late 90's to early 00's, the train station was demolished.
In 1977 the Milwaukee filed bankruptcy. In the early 1980s Washington State removed the rail from Beverly to a junction near Royal City
, although the hundred-year-old black iron bridge still stands today across the river. Royal City (about 15 miles NE of Beverly) is trying to rehabilitate the old rail that still exists from Royal to Othello
as part of the American 2009 stimulus package.
, the only arson of a post office in the last 50 years in Washington State. Today, the community is served by a temporary post office building. The building was initially intended to serve Washington communities in the event of forest fires and other such calamities. The current mobile facility has been in place the last six years to serve the 99321 ZIP code.
Although residents have lobbied hard to keep their post office, residents in the nearby town of Mattawa
have suggested that the post office combine the historical ZIP code with Mattawa's.
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...
in central Washington state. The community, which consists of a few hundred residents, is just a few miles downriver from Wanapum Dam
Wanapum Dam
Wanapum Dam is a hydroelectric project located on the Columbia River downstream from Vantage, Washington where Interstate 90 crosses the Columbia from Grant County into Kittitas County. It is owned by the Grant County Public Utility District. Its reservoir is named Lake Wanapum.The dam, and its...
and is nestled at the base of what locals call Sentinel Gap, a huge basalt formation that juts out into the river.
History
Beverly was named around 1905 by H.R. Williams, after Beverly, MassachusettsBeverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
.
Beverly played host to hundreds of railroad workers from 1905-1920s when the Milwaukee Railroad
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
The Milwaukee Road, officially the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad , was a Class I railroad that operated in the Midwest and Northwest of the United States from 1847 until its merger into the Soo Line Railroad on January 1, 1986. The company went through several official names...
was being built. The Milwaukee constructed a million-dollar bridge
Beverly Railroad Bridge
The Beverly Railroad Bridge was constructed by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1909 during its Pacific Extension...
across the Columbia just north of Beverly, which was completed in 1909. Supplies to build the bridge were shipped via steamboat from points upstream, and were hauled in on other rail lines. The bridge took nearly two years to complete.
Beverly's early success depended partially on steep grades on the railroad, which meant helper locomotives were require to drive the trains. Colorful brochures were printed and distributed back east by companies touting Beverly's long growing season and sheltered location.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
thousands of railcars moved thorough Beverly en route to the nearby Hanford facility
Hanford Site
The Hanford Site is a mostly decommissioned nuclear production complex on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington, operated by the United States federal government. The site has been known by many names, including Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works or HEW, Hanford Nuclear Reservation...
. At that time, the station in Beverly (now vacated) was remodeled and enhanced. Sometime in the late 90's to early 00's, the train station was demolished.
In 1977 the Milwaukee filed bankruptcy. In the early 1980s Washington State removed the rail from Beverly to a junction near Royal City
Royal City, Washington
Royal City is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,823 at the 2000 census.-History:Royal City was founded in 1956 and officially incorporated on February 14, 1962. The townsite was previously named Royal Flats, and the entire area Royal Slope, thus the name Royal...
, although the hundred-year-old black iron bridge still stands today across the river. Royal City (about 15 miles NE of Beverly) is trying to rehabilitate the old rail that still exists from Royal to Othello
Othello, Washington
Othello is a city in Adams County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,847 at the 2000 census and grew 25.9% over the next decade to 7,364 at the 2010 census. Othello refers to the city as being in the "Heart" of the Columbia Basin Project...
as part of the American 2009 stimulus package.
Beverly today
Beverly remains unincorporated, although it does boast its own ZIP code. The old post office was burned down in 2003 due to arsonArson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
, the only arson of a post office in the last 50 years in Washington State. Today, the community is served by a temporary post office building. The building was initially intended to serve Washington communities in the event of forest fires and other such calamities. The current mobile facility has been in place the last six years to serve the 99321 ZIP code.
Although residents have lobbied hard to keep their post office, residents in the nearby town of Mattawa
Mattawa, Washington
Mattawa is an incorporated city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,609 at the 2000 census. An estimated population exists between 4500-6500 residents during peak fruit picking/agricultural season and subsides by approximately 2000 residents during non-picking...
have suggested that the post office combine the historical ZIP code with Mattawa's.
See also
- Beverly Railroad BridgeBeverly Railroad BridgeThe Beverly Railroad Bridge was constructed by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1909 during its Pacific Extension...