Cle Elum, Washington
Encyclopedia
Cle Elum is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
. The population was 1,872 at the 2010 census. Only an hour and a half's drive from Seattle, Cle Elum is a popular area for camping and outdoor activities.
of land in Section 26, Township 20 North, and Range 15 East, in April, 1883 with the intent of farming the land. Mr. Reed took a claim adjoining Mr. Gamble's on the West. On those two preemptive claims the town was laid out. The date of these filings was three years prior to the discovery of coal. Scattered discoveries of coal
ledges had been made in 1883 and 1884, but in 1886 a definite discovery of a large ledge of good coal in paying quantities made it clear that a most important stage had come in the history of the region and populations in the region began to increase. Meanwhile, the Northern Pacific Railway
was seeking a route over the Cascade Mountains.
Some assert that the selection of the Stampede Pass
was determined by the coal discovery. In the Spring of 1886 the railroad engineers under Mr. Bogue and Mr. Huson were making their survey through the region with the intent of establishing a station. At the site of the future city, a Northern Pacific Railway
station was named Clealum after the Kittitas
name Tle-el-Lum (tlielləm), meaning "swift water", referring to the Cle Elum River
. In 1908, Clealum was altered to Cle Elum. The name was given to the river, the city, and Cle Elum Lake
. Walter Reed entered into a partnership with Thomas Johnson of Ellensburg and laid out sixty-five acres as a site. This was legally dedicated on July 26. of 1886. Mr. Johnson had owned a sawmill
on Wilson Creek
, in Grant County and he moved the mill to the new location in the vicinity of the new town. The partners, Reed and Johnson, established what was undoubtedly the largest mill up to that time in central or Eastern Washington
,
cutting 40,000 feet of board lumber per day. At the same time, Frederick Leonhard, who with his brother-in-law, Gerrit d'Ablaing, had been carrying on a mill on Cooke Creek and later on the Naneum, moved to the vicinity of Cle Elum. They cut a large part of the lumber for the Stampede Tunnel.
was established with the beginning of 1888, Dr. Wheelock becoming first postmaster. In that year Mr. Gamble laid out the larger part of his farm in a new settlement which he called Hazelwood. Subsequently this plat was relaid as the Hazelwood addition to Cle Elum. A large portion of Cle Elum was destroyed on July 23, 1891 by a fire which began in the Stafford store. $50,000 dollars in damage was caused with little insurance by any of the losers.
In 1894 a company consisting of Oscar James, Isaac Davis, Charles Hamer, and James Smith, made a bargain with Thomas Gamble to run a mine shaft on his property for the purpose of a test of the coal deposits. They had a forty-year lease on the place and did a considerable amount of construction work. In 1900, the Northwestern Improvement Company acquired the lease, and immediately made large improvements, as a result of which the mines came to be one of the greatest factors in the business of the county.
Tragedy struck the area when on July 16, 1908 two carloads of blasting powder being unloaded by the Northwest Improvement Company inexplicably exploded, killing at least nine people including miners, NIC store employees and a family with children living in a tent near the building. The explosion, located about 3/4 of a mile from Cle Elum's downtown, scattered debris and human remains and shattered windows across town. Accounts from residents equated the explosion to an earthquake.
In 1913, steps were taken to improve automobile access across the Cascade Mountains via Snoqualmie Pass
. A $1,500,000 levy was approved in 1913 to improve and expand the state's highways. The majority of the levy ($590,743) went to construction of the Sunset Highway between Spokane and Seattle. This major cross-state highway would pass directly through Cle Elum's business district, and as it was one of the first towns reached after traveling east across the pass, would benefit a lot from its construction. That same year, reflecting on the prosperity of the coal mines, the city's second bank was chartered. By 1914, Cle Elum's population had risen to 3,000 from about 100 at the turn of the 20th century.
to house misplaced citizens while soldiers were sent from Ellensburg to guard businesses. Yakima and Portland, Oregon
also sent aid to the city. Fortunately no lives were lost in the incident.
High insurance rates on Cle Elum's many wooden structures inhibited many people from purchasing it. One of the few buildings in downtown Cle Elum to survive the fire was the Cle Elum State Bank Building, built in 1906 it still stands today. The rest of downtown was quickly rebuilt of brick and many of these buildings still stand.
. Starting in 1921, 100–400 people would be on the ski hill every weekend through the winter. 1931 saw the largest crowd est. at 8,000 spectators for the ski jumping
events. The depression ended the skiing and jumping events in 1934 along with the opening of Snoqualmie Pass
for winter travel.
during World War II
. He was killed in action while evacuating Marines
during the Battle of Guadalcanal and for his extraordinary heroism, outstanding leadership and gallantry, Munro posthumously received the Medal of Honor
, the only Coast Guardsman to ever receive the military's highest honor. The USS Douglas A. Munro (DE-422)
, a Navy destroyer escort, was named for him. The Coast Guard cutter USCGC Munro (WHEC-724)
was also named in his honor.
The town was also the birthplace of astronaut Dick Scobee
, the commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger
on the day of its explosion.
Freestyle skier
Patrick Deneen
, a member of the US Olympic Team
for the 2010 Winter Olympics
in Vancouver
, is a native of Cle Elum where his family has a ranch
. Deneen's father Pat was the part owner and general manager of the Hyak ski area before it became part of The Summit at Snoqualmie.
It is bordered on the north side by the Cle Elum Ridge and the south side by the South Cle Elum Ridge including Peoh Point. The Yakima River Runs through it and also Crystal Creek.
Cle Elum is located at 47°11′39"N 120°56′15"W (47.194293, -120.937537).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²), all land. It borders South Cle Elum
and Roslyn
.
of 2000, there were 1,755 people, 792 households, and 1448 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,182.8 people per square mile (457.8/km²). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 644.3 per square mile (249.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.51% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.85% from other races
, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.
There were 792 households out of which 67.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,144, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $32,750 versus $26,645 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,620. About 17.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.
Cle Elum - Roslyn High School ~Home of the Warriors.
Walter Strom Middle School ~Home of the Wildcats
Swiftwater Learning Center~ (Alternative School)
Cle Elum - Roslyn Elementary School ~ Home of the Grey Wolves
All schools and administrative buildings (except Swiftwater Learning Center and the Transportation Department) are located on SR 903 in the Cle Elum UGA.
City council meetings have been traditionally held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,872 at the 2010 census. Only an hour and a half's drive from Seattle, Cle Elum is a popular area for camping and outdoor activities.
Early years and industries
The founders of Cle Elum were Thomas L. Gamble (later known as Judge Gamble) and Walter J. Reid. Mr. Gamble took up a Quarter sectionQuarter section
A quarter section, often shortened to quarter, is an area of one-fourth of a square mile, or . It was a common size of a tract in homesteading in the United States and Canada.For details on its use, see*Dominion Land Survey in Canada...
of land in Section 26, Township 20 North, and Range 15 East, in April, 1883 with the intent of farming the land. Mr. Reed took a claim adjoining Mr. Gamble's on the West. On those two preemptive claims the town was laid out. The date of these filings was three years prior to the discovery of coal. Scattered discoveries of coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
ledges had been made in 1883 and 1884, but in 1886 a definite discovery of a large ledge of good coal in paying quantities made it clear that a most important stage had come in the history of the region and populations in the region began to increase. Meanwhile, the Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Pacific Railway
The Northern Pacific Railway was a railway that operated in the west along the Canadian border of the United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in...
was seeking a route over the Cascade Mountains.
Some assert that the selection of the Stampede Pass
Stampede Pass
Stampede Pass is a mountain pass through the Cascade Range just south of Snoqualmie Pass in Washington.-Discovery of the Pass:The pass was discovered by Virgil Bogue, a civil engineer working for the Northern Pacific Railway...
was determined by the coal discovery. In the Spring of 1886 the railroad engineers under Mr. Bogue and Mr. Huson were making their survey through the region with the intent of establishing a station. At the site of the future city, a Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Pacific Railway
The Northern Pacific Railway was a railway that operated in the west along the Canadian border of the United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in...
station was named Clealum after the Kittitas
Kittitas
Kittitas may refer to:* Kittitas County, Washington* Kittitas, Washington* Kittitas...
name Tle-el-Lum (tlielləm), meaning "swift water", referring to the Cle Elum River
Cle Elum River
The Cle Elum River is a tributary of the Yakima River, approximately 28 miles long in the U.S. state of Washington.The river originates in the Cascade Range near Mount Daniel and flows generally south, through Hyas Lake. The river is joined by many tributary streams including Waptus River and...
. In 1908, Clealum was altered to Cle Elum. The name was given to the river, the city, and Cle Elum Lake
Cle Elum Lake
Cle Elum Lake is a lake and reservoir along the course of the Cle Elum River, in Washington state USA. Cle Elum Lake is the eastern lake of the three large lakes north of Interstate 90 and the Yakima River in the Cascade Range, the other two being Keechelus Lake and Kachess Lake.Cle Elum Lake is...
. Walter Reed entered into a partnership with Thomas Johnson of Ellensburg and laid out sixty-five acres as a site. This was legally dedicated on July 26. of 1886. Mr. Johnson had owned a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
on Wilson Creek
Wilson Creek, Washington
Wilson Creek is a town in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 227 at the 2000 census.-History:Wilson Creek was officially incorporated on May 8, 1903. The community has solid ties to the local agricultural economy that dominates the region.Indians roamed the area around...
, in Grant County and he moved the mill to the new location in the vicinity of the new town. The partners, Reed and Johnson, established what was undoubtedly the largest mill up to that time in central or Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is the portion of the U.S. state of Washington east of the Cascade Range. The region contains the city of Spokane , the Tri-Cities, the Columbia River and the Grand Coulee Dam, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and the fertile farmlands of the Yakima Valley and the...
,
cutting 40,000 feet of board lumber per day. At the same time, Frederick Leonhard, who with his brother-in-law, Gerrit d'Ablaing, had been carrying on a mill on Cooke Creek and later on the Naneum, moved to the vicinity of Cle Elum. They cut a large part of the lumber for the Stampede Tunnel.
Arrival of the railroad
On October 11, 1886, the first Northern Pacific Railroad train pulled into the new Cle Elum station. Following the arrival of the railway, the small town began to grow rapidly. Two stores were opened in 1886, one by Thomas Johnson, the other by Theron Stafford. A large school district was laid out, for thus far there were few children in the district. The old Reed cabin was transformed into a schoolhouse, and the salary for the teacher was raised by subscription. Mr. Reed had meanwhile built a hotel, which continued to be the major hotel in Cle Elum for many years. The first local election in Cle Elum occurred November 9, 1886. H.C. Witters was first justice of the peace, followed by the first inhabitant, Judge Gamble. The post officePost 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 with the beginning of 1888, Dr. Wheelock becoming first postmaster. In that year Mr. Gamble laid out the larger part of his farm in a new settlement which he called Hazelwood. Subsequently this plat was relaid as the Hazelwood addition to Cle Elum. A large portion of Cle Elum was destroyed on July 23, 1891 by a fire which began in the Stafford store. $50,000 dollars in damage was caused with little insurance by any of the losers.
In 1894 a company consisting of Oscar James, Isaac Davis, Charles Hamer, and James Smith, made a bargain with Thomas Gamble to run a mine shaft on his property for the purpose of a test of the coal deposits. They had a forty-year lease on the place and did a considerable amount of construction work. In 1900, the Northwestern Improvement Company acquired the lease, and immediately made large improvements, as a result of which the mines came to be one of the greatest factors in the business of the county.
The early 20th century
Cle Elum was officially incorporated on February 12, 1902. Logan Moody was the first mayor.Tragedy struck the area when on July 16, 1908 two carloads of blasting powder being unloaded by the Northwest Improvement Company inexplicably exploded, killing at least nine people including miners, NIC store employees and a family with children living in a tent near the building. The explosion, located about 3/4 of a mile from Cle Elum's downtown, scattered debris and human remains and shattered windows across town. Accounts from residents equated the explosion to an earthquake.
In 1913, steps were taken to improve automobile access across the Cascade Mountains via Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass is a mountain pass that carries Interstate 90 through the Cascade Range in the U.S. State of Washington. The elevation of the pass summit is , and is on the county line between Kittitas County and King County...
. A $1,500,000 levy was approved in 1913 to improve and expand the state's highways. The majority of the levy ($590,743) went to construction of the Sunset Highway between Spokane and Seattle. This major cross-state highway would pass directly through Cle Elum's business district, and as it was one of the first towns reached after traveling east across the pass, would benefit a lot from its construction. That same year, reflecting on the prosperity of the coal mines, the city's second bank was chartered. By 1914, Cle Elum's population had risen to 3,000 from about 100 at the turn of the 20th century.
Great fire of 1918
Cle Elum's greatest disaster occurred on June 25, 1918 when a huge fire wiped out over seventy acres of the city (29 city blocks) at a cost of over $500,000 dollars in damages. The cause was later determined to most likely to be a discarded cigarette butt thrown into a pile of garbage behind a theater. Thirty businesses and 205 houses were destroyed leaving more than 1,800 people homeless. Following the incident, Aid from across the state began pouring in. The Red Cross brought tents from Camp LewisCamp Lewis
Camp Lewis may refer to:* Joint Base Lewis-McChord* Camp Lewis, part of the Northern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America* Camp Lewis , a former U.S. Army camp in Montana...
to house misplaced citizens while soldiers were sent from Ellensburg to guard businesses. Yakima and Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
also sent aid to the city. Fortunately no lives were lost in the incident.
High insurance rates on Cle Elum's many wooden structures inhibited many people from purchasing it. One of the few buildings in downtown Cle Elum to survive the fire was the Cle Elum State Bank Building, built in 1906 it still stands today. The rest of downtown was quickly rebuilt of brick and many of these buildings still stand.
First west coast ski area
Headed by John Bresko, Cle Elum was the first to have 'organized' skiing west of Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. Starting in 1921, 100–400 people would be on the ski hill every weekend through the winter. 1931 saw the largest crowd est. at 8,000 spectators for the ski jumping
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
events. The depression ended the skiing and jumping events in 1934 along with the opening of Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass is a mountain pass that carries Interstate 90 through the Cascade Range in the U.S. State of Washington. The elevation of the pass summit is , and is on the county line between Kittitas County and King County...
for winter travel.
Famous residents
Douglas Munro grew up in Cle Elum. He served in the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
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...
. He was killed in action while evacuating Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the Battle of Guadalcanal and for his extraordinary heroism, outstanding leadership and gallantry, Munro posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, the only Coast Guardsman to ever receive the military's highest honor. The USS Douglas A. Munro (DE-422)
USS Douglas A. Munro (DE-422)
USS Douglas A. Munro was a acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket.Douglas A...
, a Navy destroyer escort, was named for him. The Coast Guard cutter USCGC Munro (WHEC-724)
USCGC Munro (WHEC-724)
USCGC Munro is a High Endurance Cutter of the United States Coast Guard, named for Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro , the only Coast Guardsman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The vessel is currently commanded by Matt T...
was also named in his honor.
The town was also the birthplace of astronaut Dick Scobee
Dick Scobee
Francis Richard "Dick" Scobee was an American astronaut. He was killed commanding the Space Shuttle Challenger, which suffered catastrophic booster failure during launch of the STS-51-L mission.-Early life:...
, the commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger
Space Shuttle Challenger
Space Shuttle Challenger was NASA's second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia having been the first. The shuttle was built by Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division in Downey, California...
on the day of its explosion.
Freestyle skier
Freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing is form of skiing which used to encompass two disciplines: aerials, and moguls. Except the two disciplines mentioned earlier Freestyle Skiing now consists of Skicross, Half Pipe and Slope Style...
Patrick Deneen
Patrick Deneen
Patrick Deneen is an American freestyle skier, specializing in moguls. Deneen was the gold medalist at the 2009 International Ski Federation Freestyle World Ski Championships. In December 2009, Deneen won the US Olympic trials, held at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, securing a spot on the US...
, a member of the US Olympic Team
United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics
The United States participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The U.S. team had a historic Winter Games, winning an unprecedented 37 medals. Team USA's medal haul, which included nine gold, marked the first time since the 1932 Lake Placid Games that the U.S....
for the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, is a native of Cle Elum where his family has a ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
. Deneen's father Pat was the part owner and general manager of the Hyak ski area before it became part of The Summit at Snoqualmie.
Geography
Cle Elum is located in Upper Kittitas County.It is bordered on the north side by the Cle Elum Ridge and the south side by the South Cle Elum Ridge including Peoh Point. The Yakima River Runs through it and also Crystal Creek.
Cle Elum is located at 47°11′39"N 120°56′15"W (47.194293, -120.937537).
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 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²), all land. It borders South Cle Elum
South Cle Elum, Washington
South Cle Elum is a town in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 457 at the 2000 census.-History:In mid 1909, the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway chose Cle Elum as a division point between the Coast and Columbia divisions on its future transcontinental line...
and Roslyn
Roslyn, Washington
Roslyn is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 893 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Roslyn is located at...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,755 people, 792 households, and 1448 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,182.8 people per square mile (457.8/km²). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 644.3 per square mile (249.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.51% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.85% from other races
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 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.
There were 792 households out of which 67.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,144, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $32,750 versus $26,645 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 $16,620. About 17.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.
Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
- High Schools
Cle Elum - Roslyn High School ~Home of the Warriors.
- Middle Schools
Walter Strom Middle School ~Home of the Wildcats
- Secondary Schools
Swiftwater Learning Center~ (Alternative School)
- Elementary School
Cle Elum - Roslyn Elementary School ~ Home of the Grey Wolves
All schools and administrative buildings (except Swiftwater Learning Center and the Transportation Department) are located on SR 903 in the Cle Elum UGA.
Cle Elum Medical Center
Cle Elum Medical Center (formerly Cle Elum Family Medicine Center) underwent an almost $1,000,000 renovation and expansion in June 2007. The medical center, which provides healthcare to almost 10,000 residents of the upper county, and over 1,000,000 travelers, who pass through the town, is equipped with an after-hour urgent care center, for non-life threatening injuries and illnessesPoints of Interest in Cle Elum
- Cle Elum Telephone Museum - This museum was established in 1966 when the Bell Telephone Company deeded its former central office building to the Cle Elum Historical Society. At that time Cle Elum became the last in the telephone company's service area to be changed over from manual phone service to automatic dialing.
- Suncadia resort- is a four diamond, four season resort located on the west border of the city.
- Carpenter House Museum - A step over the threshold of the Carpenter House is a step into the past. This marvelous 1914 mansion, with its spacious rooms, tiny alcoves and third-floor ballroom, holds the story of Cle Elum's first successful banker and his family. High Country Artists shares this historic house, and its art displays provide visitors an added experience.
- The Mines - Visit City hall (located on the corner of Oakes Avenue and First Street) for information on mine tours.
- The Coal Mines Trail- Following an abandoned mining railway easement, this spectacular trail passes several historic mining sites, beginning at Cle Elum as it makes its way along Crystal Creek, through Roslyn and up to Ronald. This generous gravel walking path (former railway bed) has a gentle grade that is suitable for almost all horseback riders, hikers, walkers and bikers.
- South Cle Elum Depot - Restored Milwaukee Road depot with a museum and cafe.
Government
Cle Elum is presided over by a mayor and a six-member city council. As of 2010 the following were in Office:- Honorable Mayor Charles Glondo
- Council Persons
-
- Jim Eidemiller
- Jay McGowan
- Warren Perry
- Ken Ratliff
- Arthur Scott
- Mickey Holz
- Ron Spears
- City Administrator, Matthew Morton
- Public Works Director, Jim Leonhard
-
City council meetings have been traditionally held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
External links
- City of Cle Elum website
- Cle Elum-Roslyn Chamber of Commerce
- Cle Elum Roslyn School District
- Futurepast, publisher of Coal Towns in the Cascades, A Centennial History of Roslyn and Cle Elum, Washington, 2nd Edition, by John C. Shideler
- CWU and Ellensburg Public Library's historic local photographs collection A collection of 294 historic photographs dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The collection consists of photographic images of buildings, street scenes and town views of Ellensburg and the other communities in Kittitas County