Editing Bickleton, Washington (section)

==History==
Bickleton was first settled by Charles N. Bickle, who established a [[trading post]] and [[Livery yard|livery stable]] at the site. He also served as the area's first [[postmaster]]. In 1879, the town was named after Bickle.<ref name="Seven">{{cite news |last1=Seven |first1=Richard |title=Bluebirds & Bloodlines |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2001/0527/cover.html |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=Pacific Northwest Magazine |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=May 27, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010608173746/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2001/0527/cover.html |archive-date=June 8, 2001}}</ref><ref name=majors>{{Cite book| last = Majors | first = Harry M. | title = Exploring Washington | publisher = Van Winkle Publishing Co | year = 1975 | page = 154 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CoWrPQAACAAJ| isbn = 978-0-918664-00-6}}</ref> The town's economy was initially based largely on cattle [[ranch]]ing and [[wheat]] farming.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hammon |first1=Amanda |title=Bickleton's a Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9594612.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915225638/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9594612.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |date=March 28, 2004 }}</ref> A series of fires in 1937 and 1947 destroyed many of the town's original buildings.<ref name=Seven/>

The oldest surviving building in Bickleton is the Bluebird Inn, a [[tavern]] which first opened in 1882. It is billed as the oldest functioning tavern in the state, although it has changed ownership numerous times and operated under different names throughout its history.<ref group=note>The Brick Tavern in [[Roslyn, Washington|Roslyn]] claims the title of the oldest continuously operating tavern in the state of Washington, opening in 1889 and operating under a single name since 1898. The Bluebird Inn, according to its owners, is the state's oldest functioning tavern, having first opened in 1882; however, it has operated under numerous names and has not been continuously licensed to operate since its founding.</ref> The tavern includes a 1903 [[Brunswick Corporation|Brunswick]] pool table, which is still used by regulars.<ref name=Seven/>

The town has held an annual picnic and [[rodeo]] continuously since 1910. The festival also features a 1905 [[Allan Herschell Company|Herschell-Spillman]] [[carousel]], which the town purchased from [[Oaks Amusement Park]] in [[Portland, Oregon]], in 1928.<ref name=Seven/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Janovich |first1=Adriana |title=Carousing at the old carousel in Bickleton |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9628618.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916022744/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9628618.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |date=June 8, 2006 }}</ref>

===Bluebirds===
[[File:Lonely Blue Bird shed.JPG|thumb|left|A shed outside of Bickleton proudly showing the bluebird connection]]

Bickleton is known as the [[bluebird]] capital of the world.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Geranios |first1=Nicholas K. |title=Nearly Over the Rainbow: Tiny Town Keeps House for Bluebirds |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-23-mn-277-story.html |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=October 23, 1988}}</ref> In the 1960s, Jess and Elva Brinkerhoff were picnicking in this small town after coming from nearby [[Richland, Washington|Richland]] and put a can in a tree for some birds. It became a local fad, and now there are thousands of birdhouses purposely built to house bluebirds.

Both the [[mountain bluebird]] and the [[western bluebird]] nest in Bickleton. Maintaining the houses by cleaning old nests is a major task for the local residents. It is funded by profits from bluebird souvenirs sold to tourists at Whitmore's Whoop-n-Holler Ranch Museum.