Cle Elum Firsts | Cle Elum, WA

Discover Cle Elum™, Washington in a new way - from its beginnings through this compilation of "firsts" compiled by the Northern Kittitas County Historical Society. An area rich in Washington State history, these historical highlights feature the first time an event or happening occurred in Cle Elum.

Click the options below to learn more about Cle Elum's first newspaper, first gold discovery, first talking movie, and more. Echoes of these stories are visible throughout the area, making our town a place where the past is truly always present.

Do you know of another Cle Elum First you'd like to share with us? Please contact us! We'd love to hear from you and add to our list below.

First Band

The Cle Elum City Band, was formed in May 1902 by Teasdale L. Wilkeson, director.

First Bank

The only one of its kind in Kittitas County outside of Ellensburg at 301 Pennsylvania Avenue.

First Birth

First Birth of a boy in Cle Elum was that of Charles Stafford on July 6, 1887.

First Building

Built by Walter and Barbara Reed in 1881 near the corner of Third Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

First Butcher Shop

The First Butcher Shop was opened by John Rothlisberger from Switzerland in 1886.

First Car

First Car in Cle Elum was a 1906 Oldsmobile owned by Doc White, and later owned by Albino Curto.

First Car Over Snoqualmie Pass

Driven by Cle Elum's Aaron Rees and Merlin Haines in 1912.

First Cemetery

Created about 1890 when Walter J. Reed donated land to the community to be used as a cemetery.

First Census

The First Census of record was in the year 1900 giving Cle Elum a population of 250.

First Coal

Deposits of coal were known to exist in the area long before any attempt at mining was undertaken.

First Dentist/Doctor

His name was Theron Stafford, who in 1887 opened a general store.

First Electricity to Town

Provided by the Northwest Improvement Company's power plant in 1902.

First Fish Hatchery

1914, the County Game Commission hires Samuel Drew, a fish culturist from Coeur D'Alene.

First Funeral

Recorded by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum, was in 1887, presumably, of a 6-month old infant, Baby McDermott.

First General Store

Opened by Tom Johnson during the summer of 1886, and was soon followed by a store under the operation of Theron Stafford.

First Gold Discovery

1867... when a prospecting party consisting of two Goodwin brothers and three others.

First Hospital

Constructed in Cle Elum was built on land donated to the miners and the people of Cle Elum by Walter J. Reed.

First Incorporated

1902, as a fourth class city. At the time, Cle Elum was considered a modern metropolitan city.

First Home with Piped Water

Built by Walter J. Reed and his wife, Barbara Ann Steiner Reed in 1893.

First Hotel

Built by Walter and Barbara Reed at the corner of Pennsylvania and Railroad Streets in July 1886.

First Laundry

It was known as Wing Sing's Chinese Laundry which opened for business in 1891...

First Livery Stable & Blacksmith Shop

Built by Fred Zeek in 1887. It was the first dairy in Cle Elum and Roslyn.

First Lumber Mill

James Dysart's mill on the Yakima River, which operated from 1876 to 1880.

First Mayor

Cle Elum's first mayor was Thomas L. Gamble, who served that office during 1902-1903.

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