15 Things You May Not Know About Douglas County

15 Things You May Not Have Known About Douglas County

1. As of the year 2000, almost one third of the entire population of Douglas County resided in East Wenatchee, Washington.

2. In 1883, Douglas County was created out of the western portion of Lincoln County, then in 1909 Grant County was created from the southeastern section of Douglas County.

3. Chief Joseph Dam, which spans the Columbia River between Douglas County and Okanogan County, is the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States.

4. Water from the Columbia River surrounds Douglas County on three sides, the river itself to the north and west, and Banks Lake to the east.

5. During the winter of 1889/1890 nearly all of the livestock in Douglas County died due to exposure to extremely cold temperatures or lack of food.

6. Douglas County’s first wheat crop was raised in 1884.

7. The Great Northern Railway laid the first railroad track in Douglas County in 1893.

8. Douglas County’s county seat is Waterville which has the distinction of being farther above sea level (2,662 feet) than any other incorporated town in Washington State.

9. Douglas County’s present courthouse was completed in 1905.

10. Some of the first irrigation water in Douglas County was actually piped in from Wenatchee in Chelan County over the first highway bridge to span the Columbia River. This irrigation pipe is still in use on the very same bridge, though now the bridge is for pedestrian use only.

11. Clyde Pangbord and his co-pilot Hugh Herndon piloted their plane, the Miss Veedol, non-stop from Misawa, Japan to a Douglas County field outside of East Wenatchee, Washington becoming the first to fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean. This event made international headlines and today is remembered as one of the highlights of Douglas County’s early days.

12. There are nine recognized communities in Douglas County; East Wenatchee, Orondo, Rock Island, Waterville, Bridgeport, Mansfield, Withrow, Douglas, and Palisades.

13. Four dams spanning the Columbia River touch Douglas County soil; Chief Joseph Dam, Wells Dam, Rocky Reach Dam, and Rock Island Dam.

14. Douglas County was named after Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas, who is most famous for his debates with President Abraham Lincoln.

15. Douglas County is home to three airports; in Waterville, in Mansfield, and Pangborn Airport near East Wenatchee.

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