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 Newspaper

The first newspaper in Cle Elum was known as the Teanaway Bugle which began in 1884.

First Post Office

Designated by the government to Cle Elum in 1888. Dr. Wheelock took charge as postmaster.

First School

Established in 1887 in the old Walter and Barbara Reed cabin that they had built in 1883.

First Settler

Thomas L. Gamble was the first settler in April 1883. He was also the first mayor of Cle Elum.

First Successful Banker

Frank Carpenter who took over the failing Kellogg bank in Cle Elum on November 2, 1904.

First Talking Movie

The First Talking Movie was in May 1929 at the Lane Theater and was the "Wolf of Wall Street".

First Telephone

The first telephone service was inaugurated in Cle Elum on April 5, 1901 with ten telephones.

First Theater

Opened in 1904 near the corner of First and Harris, and was called the Opera House.

First Town Water System

Cle Elum's first water system was installed in 1893 at an expense of some $19,000.

First Train to Reach Cle Elum

1886, after a rush by the Railroad to complete the laying of tracks to this rich coal-mining region.

First Town Site Plat Filed

July 26, 1886 by Walter Reed. Mr. Reed platted 60 acres of his claim as a townsite.

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