Spanaway, Washington
Encyclopedia
Spanaway is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Pierce County, Washington
, United States. The population was 27,227 at the 2010 census. Spanaway is an unincorporated area
near Tacoma
, and is often identified together with the more urban, less wealthy Parkland
.
Spanaway's main business thoroughfare is Pacific Avenue South, which is a north-south road that coincides with State Route 7 through the Spanaway area.
The song "The Needle Has Landed" from Neko Case
's CD Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
mentions Spanaway in passing. Tacoma alternative pop/rock band Seaweed
also released an album entitled Spanaway. Long Island, New York band The Movielife
also has a song called "Spanaway".
, headquartered at Fort Nisqually
, had control of this region until 1863. Company maps and journals show the company's subsidiary, the Pugets Sound Agricultural Company
, raised cattle, grain, and sheep at "Spanueh Station" on the south and east shores of "Spanueh Lake." Local folklore offers more colorful but false etymology, which unfortunately has been carried into numerous historical accounts. Research in 2010 revealed that Spanueh is the Hudson Bay Company's spelling of "Spadue", from the native Lushootseed dialect, which means "dug roots" referring to an area where camas
and other edible roots can be found.
The first white settler to take a donation claim, Henry de la Bushalier, tried to rename the lake after himself. That faded away with his death one year later. In 1890 the area was renamed "Lake Park" as a planned community by the Lake Park Land, Railway and Improvement Company, which bought all the nearby land east of the lake and built a rail line to its "recreation mecca" on the shore of "Spanaway Lake." When Mount Rainier National Park
was established in 1899, tourists would take the train to its terminus in Lake Park and pick up a motorcade for the rest of the two-day journey to Mount Rainier, making Spanaway the original "gateway" to Mount Rainier
.
On April 12, 1951, Lieutenant John W. Hodgkin flew his ski-equipped Piper J-3 Cub
from Spanaway Air Strip to the top of Mount Rainier (14,410 feet), establishing a world record for a high-altitude landing. He was charged in federal court with landing a private aircraft in a national park without permission and was fined $350.
Although the U.S. Board on Geographic Names
recognized the community of "Lake Park" in 1897, it had to very belatedly reverse its decision in 1970 to accept common usage: Spanaway (Spanueh).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 8.7 square miles (22.6 km²), of which, 8.3 square miles (21.6 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (4.25%) is water.
, and 7.55% from two or more races.
There were 7,659 households out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,210, and the median income for a family was $50,076. Males had a median income of $35,525 versus $26,758 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,928. About 7.8% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Sites near Spanaway:
.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Pierce County, Washington
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
, United States. The population was 27,227 at the 2010 census. Spanaway is an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
near Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, and is often identified together with the more urban, less wealthy Parkland
Parkland, Washington
Parkland is a census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,053 at the 2000 census and grew to 35,803 as of the 2010 census...
.
Spanaway's main business thoroughfare is Pacific Avenue South, which is a north-south road that coincides with State Route 7 through the Spanaway area.
The song "The Needle Has Landed" from Neko Case
Neko Case
Neko Case is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and her contributions as a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers....
's CD Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood is a 2006 album by Neko Case. It was her first solo studio album in four years.The album was recorded at Wave Lab Studios in Tucson, Arizona, except the beginning of "John Saw That Number", which was recorded in a stairwell at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern; and "At...
mentions Spanaway in passing. Tacoma alternative pop/rock band Seaweed
Seaweed (band)
Seaweed is a band from Tacoma, Washington who were active throughout the 1990s. Their style of music is a combination of punk rock and grunge, mostly due to its 'dirty' sound.-History:...
also released an album entitled Spanaway. Long Island, New York band The Movielife
The Movielife
The Movielife was a Long Island Melodic hardcore band, composed of vocalist Vinnie Caruana, bassist Phil Navetta, guitarist Brandon Reilly, drummer Evan Baken, and guitarist Alex Amiruddin, until 2001 when Alex Amiruddin left and was replaced by Dan Navetta....
also has a song called "Spanaway".
History
Etymology: The Hudson's Bay CompanyHudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
, headquartered at Fort Nisqually
Fort Nisqually
Fort Nisqually was an important fur trading and farming post of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Puget Sound area of what is now DuPont, Washington and was part of the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department. Today it is a living history museum located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, within the...
, had control of this region until 1863. Company maps and journals show the company's subsidiary, the Pugets Sound Agricultural Company
Pugets Sound Agricultural Company
The Puget Sound Agricultural Company , commonly referred to with variations of the name using Puget Sound or Puget's Sound, was a joint stock company formed around 1840 as a subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company . The purpose of the company was ostensibly to promote settlement by British subjects...
, raised cattle, grain, and sheep at "Spanueh Station" on the south and east shores of "Spanueh Lake." Local folklore offers more colorful but false etymology, which unfortunately has been carried into numerous historical accounts. Research in 2010 revealed that Spanueh is the Hudson Bay Company's spelling of "Spadue", from the native Lushootseed dialect, which means "dug roots" referring to an area where camas
Camassia
Camassia is a genus of six species native to western North America, from southern British Columbia to northern California, and east to Utah, Wyoming and Montana...
and other edible roots can be found.
The first white settler to take a donation claim, Henry de la Bushalier, tried to rename the lake after himself. That faded away with his death one year later. In 1890 the area was renamed "Lake Park" as a planned community by the Lake Park Land, Railway and Improvement Company, which bought all the nearby land east of the lake and built a rail line to its "recreation mecca" on the shore of "Spanaway Lake." When Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a United States National Park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state. It was one of the US's earliest National Parks, having been established on March 2, 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States. The park contains...
was established in 1899, tourists would take the train to its terminus in Lake Park and pick up a motorcade for the rest of the two-day journey to Mount Rainier, making Spanaway the original "gateway" to Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
.
On April 12, 1951, Lieutenant John W. Hodgkin flew his ski-equipped Piper J-3 Cub
Piper J-3
The Piper J-3 Cub is a small, simple, light aircraft that was built between 1937 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft. With tandem seating, it was intended for flight training but became one of the most popular and best-known light aircraft of all time...
from Spanaway Air Strip to the top of Mount Rainier (14,410 feet), establishing a world record for a high-altitude landing. He was charged in federal court with landing a private aircraft in a national park without permission and was fined $350.
Although the U.S. Board on Geographic Names
United States Board on Geographic Names
The United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:...
recognized the community of "Lake Park" in 1897, it had to very belatedly reverse its decision in 1970 to accept common usage: Spanaway (Spanueh).
Geography
Spanaway is located at 47°5′52"N 122°25′26"W (47.097887, -122.424016).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 CDP has a total area of 8.7 square miles (22.6 km²), of which, 8.3 square miles (21.6 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (4.25%) is water.
Surrounding communities
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,588 people, 7,659 households, and 5,820 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,592.0 people per square mile (1,000.6/km²). There were 7,963 housing units at an average density of 956.1/sq mi (369.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 71.13% White, 9.11% African American, 1.61% Native American, 6.34% Asian American, 2.12% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other racesRace (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 7.55% from two or more races.
There were 7,659 households out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,210, and the median income for a family was $50,076. Males had a median income of $35,525 versus $26,758 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 CDP was $17,928. About 7.8% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Famous residents
- Mike BlowersMike BlowersMichael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington...
, MLB baseball player - Jerry CantrellJerry CantrellJerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
, Alice In ChainsAlice in ChainsAlice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
guitarist - Derrike CopeDerrike CopeDerrike Cope is a NASCAR driver. He is best known for his win in the 1990 Daytona 500. He currently drives the #28 Chevrolet for Jay Robinson Racing in the Nationwide Series and the #75 Chevrolet/Dodge for his own team in the Sprint Cup Series.-Early years:Cope was born in San Diego, California...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver - Jo KoyJo KoyJo Koy is an American stand-up comic. He is currently touring the college circuit as a featured comedian and performs in clubs across the country. He is often a panelist on E!'s late night show Chelsea Lately.- Early life :Koy is of Filipino and Caucasian heritage...
, stand-up comedian - Rick StoryRick StoryRick Story is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he fights as a welterweight. He holds notable victories over Thiago Alves, Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger.-Background:...
, Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipUltimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
fighter
Notable sites
Sites in Spanaway:- Spanaway Airport
- Shady Acres Airport
- Spanaway Park
- Spanaway Lake
- Spanaway Historical Society
- Prairie House Museum
- Lake Spanaway Golf Course
- Classic Golf Club
- Spanaway Park Shopping Center
- Spanaway Village Shopping Center
- Sunbird Shopping Center
Sites near Spanaway:
- Sprinker Recreation Center & Ice Arena
- Parkland/Spanaway Public LibraryPierce County Library SystemThe Pierce County Library System is a library system serving the residents of Pierce County, Washington. As of 2011, PCLS has 17 branches and several bookmobiles serving more than 550,000 people in unincorporated Pierce County and 15 cities and towns which have annexed to the system for library...
- McChord Air Force Base
- Pacific Lutheran UniversityPacific Lutheran UniversityPacific Lutheran University is located in Parkland, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. In September 2009, PLU had a student population of 3,582 and approximately 280 full-time faculty...
- Harold E. LeMay America's Car MuseumAmerica's Car MuseumThe LeMay - America's Car Museum is a museum currently in the city of Tacoma, Washington. A new museum facility is currently under construction adjacent to the Tacoma Dome...
Education
Public schools in Spanaway are part of the Bethel School DistrictBethel School District (Washington)
Bethel School District No. 403 is a public school district in Pierce County, Washington, USA and serves of unincorporated Pierce County including Spanaway, Graham, Kapowsin, and the city of Roy. Bethel is unique in the way that its high schools serve grades 10-12 as opposed to the traditional...
.
- Elementary schools:
- Junior high schools:
- Bethel Junior High School
- Cedarcrest Junior High School
- Liberty Junior High School
- Spanaway Junior High School
- High schools:
- Bethel High SchoolBethel High School (Spanaway, Washington)Bethel High School is located in Spanaway, Washington. It is Bethel School District's oldest high school, dating back to 1952 .-Academics:For world languages, Bethel offers four years of French and Spanish, as well as three years of German....
- Challenger Secondary SchoolChallenger Secondary SchoolChallenger Secondary School is a public secondary school in Spanaway, Washington. The school serves grades 7-12 and graduates 100 to 130 students each year. To enroll, students must meet certain requirements, and unlike other high schools in the district, a normal school day at Challenger is 2½...
- Spanaway Lake High SchoolSpanaway Lake High SchoolSpanaway Lake High School is a high school in Spanaway, WA, for grade levels 10 through 12.In 2007, 86 percent of 10th graders meat standard on the WASL writing test and 71 percent meat standard on the WASL reading test. The overall writing scores have increased 28 percentage points in five years....
- Bethel High School
- Private school:
- Bethel Baptist Christian School (grades K4-12)
- Nearby colleges:
- Pacific Lutheran UniversityPacific Lutheran UniversityPacific Lutheran University is located in Parkland, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. In September 2009, PLU had a student population of 3,582 and approximately 280 full-time faculty...
(Parkland) - Colleges in Tacoma
- Colleges in Lakewood
- Colleges in Puyallup
- Colleges offering classes at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Pacific Lutheran University
External links
- Celebrate! Spanaway, website for all things Spanaway
- Spanaway Water Company