Editing Cashmere, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Cashmere, Washington
| settlement_type          = [[City government in Washington (state)|City]]
| image_skyline            = Cashmere WA - downtown 01.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Chelan_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Cashmere_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Cashmere, Washington
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mayor & City Council|url=https://www.cityofcashmere.org/government/mayor-city-council|publisher=City of Cashmere |access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref>
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Jim Fletcher <ref>{{Cite web|title=Mayor {{!}} Cashmere, WA|url=https://www.cityofcashmere.org/government/mayor-city-council/meet-the-mayor|access-date=August 24, 2021|website=www.cityofcashmere.org}}</ref>
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 3.12
| area_land_km2            = 3.01
| area_water_km2           = 0.11
| area_total_sq_mi         = 1.21
| area_land_sq_mi          = 1.16
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_est           = 3172
| pop_est_as_of            = 2019
| pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEstimate2019">{{cite web |date=May 2020 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
| population_footnotes     = <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
| population_total         = 3248
| population_density_km2   = 1052.44
| population_density_sq_mi = 2725.09
<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset               = -8
| timezone_DST             = PDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -7
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 879
| coordinates              = {{coord|47|31|03|N|120|28|01|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 98815
| area_code                = [[Area code 509|509]]
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 53-10495
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2409405<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409405}}</ref>
| website                  = [http://www.cityofcashmere.org/ City of Cashmere]
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Cashmere''' is a [[city]] in [[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is part of the [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]]&ndash;[[East Wenatchee, Washington|East Wenatchee]] [[Wenatchee-East Wenatchee metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The population was 3,248 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2010 Census (City)">{{cite web |title=2020 United States Census Profile: Cashmere, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Cashmere_city,_Washington?g=1600000US5310495 |access-date=March 15, 2023 |work=United States Census Bureau |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:City Hall, Cashmere, WA.jpg|thumb|Cashmere City Hall]]
===Early people===
Prior to 1850, the village Ntuatckam was estimated to have a population of 400 on the site of present day Cashmere. The indigenous people are the Sinpesquensi,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arksey |first=Laura |date=August 30, 2008 |title=Cashmere — Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/8750 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=HistoryLink.org}}</ref> a band of the [[Wenatchi]] people, who were sustained by abundant game and [[anadromous]] fish. The [[Wenatchee River]], which runs through Cashmere, was historically home to [[Coho salmon|coho]], [[Chinook salmon|chinook]], and [[sockeye salmon]], as well as [[Rainbow trout|steelhead]]. These wild stocks have been severely impacted by the dams on the [[Columbia River]], although several [[fish migration|runs]] still exist. The Wenatchi people were displaced to the [[Colville Indian Reservation]] by the federal government, but still claim some fishing rights in the area.<ref>* Marshall, Maureen E. ''Wenatchee's Dark Past''. Wenatchee, Wash: The Wenatchee World, 2008.</ref>

===First Europeans and settlement===
The first European to enter the Mission Valley was [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] missionary Father Respari, of the [[Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate|Oblate Fathers]], in the 1850s. He lived among the Wenatchi people for twenty years teaching them his religion. He was succeeded in the 1870s by [[Jesuit missionaries|Jesuit missionary]] Father Urban Grassi who built the St. Francis Xavier Mission in 1873. After the missionaries' departure, the valley was next settled in the 1880s by ranchers and squatters. There were enough settlers in the area to necessitate the construction of a [[one-room school]]house in 1886. This sparse settlement was later known as Old Mission, after the Catholic missions of past. George Kline opened the first store further down the valley in 1888 to serve the burgeoning ranch population. A post office was soon established and Kline was appointed postmaster. The town was named "Mission" after the early missionaries.<ref name="history">''An Illustrated History of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan Counties, State of Washington''. Spokane, Washington: Western Historical Publishing Company, 1904. Print.</ref>

===Railroad and irrigation===
In 1892, it was revealed that the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railroad]] would be building its main line through the valley and Mission was platted between the [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]] and the [[Wenatchee River]] in hopes of receiving a station stop on the new line. It did not receive a station at that time and no boom occurred when the railroad came. Not until 1900 did Cashmere become a [[Request stop|flag stop]] and a small section house was built, manned by two employees. This small building was preserved and today exists on the property of the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village.<ref>"[http://www.cashmeremuseum.org/pioneer.html Pioneer Village] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517033251/http://www.cashmeremuseum.org/pioneer.html |date=2009-05-17 }}" 2006. The Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village. Retrieved May 13, 2010</ref>

The prosperity the railroads brought revived local interest to irrigate the arid valley. In 1892, a stock company was formed with a capital stock of $5000. Local men took out mile contracts to help dig the ditch. At a great personal expense to many involved, the Peshastin Ditch was completed within twelve years. Following its activation, the town as well as the entire area, blossomed. Through the 1900s, Mission grew in earnest. The town was becoming a shipping point for the growing fruit and agricultural industry in the valley. Within several years, better rail passenger service was demanded by citizens and a new, larger depot was built in 1903 and is also still standing in its original place.

===Renaming of Mission through 1920===
By 1903 the town's population had reached over 200. Citing confusion of this town with another in northern [[Okanogan County]] (that no longer exists), that same year, Mission and the entire valley were renamed for [[Kashmir]], as local judge James H. Chase claimed it resembled the foothills of that region.<ref>"Town Wants New Name" ''[[Seattle Times]]'' March 21, 1904. Pg. 8.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Meany|first=Edmond S.|title=Origin of Washington geographic names|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027074981;view=1up;seq=55|year=1923|publisher=University of Washington Press|location=Seattle|page=39}}</ref>  The spelling was changed to a more Americanized "Cashmere".<ref>Phillips, James W. ''Washington State Place Names''. 8th ed. Seattle: [[University of Washington Press]], 1971. Print.</ref> Cashmere was incorporated in 1904 and continued to prosper with the opening of the Mission Canal later that year which turned hundreds of acres of dry-unusable land into fertile farm land. Seattle investors purchased large tracts of land in and around Cashmere and constructed the town's first hotel and saloon in 1905.<ref>"S.S. Bailey Buys Land East of Mountains; Property Secured by Seattle Man Has Value of $35,000" ''Seattle Times'' September 2, 1905. Pg. 1.</ref>  A library was established in 1908 by the town's Woman's club. By 1909, Cashmere housed three banks. Telephone service was installed in 1909 followed by paved sidewalks in 1913, electric lights in 1914 and paved streets in 1919.<ref name="history2">Hull, Lindley M. (editor)''A History of Central Washington: Including the Famous Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and the Columbia Valleys, with an Indexed Eighty Scenic Historical Illustrations''. Spokane, Washington: Shaw & Borden Company, 1929. Print.</ref>

=== 1920s–1930s ===
The Cashmere chapter of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] was organized in August 1922. Nearly 400 people attended a 1924 meeting at the Cashmere Methodist Episcopal Church. A Cashmere band performed in a parade for the 1926 state convention in [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Wenatchee's dark past: a history of race and race relations|last=Brown|first=Maureen E|date=2007|publisher=Wenatchee World|location=Wenatchee, Wash.|pages=48–50|language=en|oclc=191853776}}</ref>

In August 1931, a [[pow wow]] took place over the course of three days to call attention to the unfulfilled treaty agreements to the [[Wenatchi]] people, including the [[Wenatchupam Fishery]], and boost the Cashmere economy. The encampment was composed of [[tipi]]s on the land of Mary Felix, one of the few Wenatchi people living in town, in Yaksum canyon. It was estimated that nearly 700 Native Americans attended, including 250 Wenatchi who traveled from [[Colville Indian Reservation|Colville]] and [[Yakama Indian Reservation|Yakama reservations]]. Notable guests included leaders from other tribes and Governor [[Roland H. Hartley]]. Proceeds went to restore the cemetery on the other side of [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|Highway 2]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historylink.org/File/9147|title=Indians and non-Indians attend three-day powwow at Cashmere beginning on August 20, 1931.|website=www.historylink.org|access-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref>[[File:Street Scene, Cashmere, WA (c.1940's).jpg|thumb|left|Downtown Cashmere in the 1950s]]

===Industries and agriculture===
The Cashmere area has a rich history of tree fruit production, starting with the first [[Settler|pioneers]]. With the construction of the Peshastin irrigation ditch in the 1890s, ranches and sagebrush gave way to lush orchards climbing up the walls of the valley.  In addition to apples, the soils and climate are ideal for the production of pears, with [[Bartlett pear|Bartlett]] and [[D'Anjou]] varieties well represented. Beginning in the 1910s, a number of orchards were opened in Cashmere to take advantage of the area's balmy climate. While many orchards have given way to development, the history of fruit production is still evident in the many orchards and historical fruit warehouses in the area. [[Overdevelopment]] is a real threat to the agricultural heritage of the area; the agreeable climate and outstanding scenery attract many people to the area.

The history of the area is also tied to timber production. Cashmere was the home of a large sawmill. The first settlers found abundant [[Pinus ponderosa|ponderosa pine]] (''Pinus ponderosa'') and [[Douglas-fir]] trees. These timbers were of the highest quality because of the arid climate, which causes the trees to grow very slowly, keeping a tight grain.

==Geography==
[[File:Cashmere, WA - Burbank Homestead Waterwheel.jpg|thumb|The [[Burbank Homestead Waterwheel]] at the Cashmere Museum, listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] (NRHP)]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|1.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}</ref>

===Climate===
This region experiences warm and dry summers that have become increasingly hot during the past decade.  On July 4, 2015, the max. temp was 106 F and the mean temp was 88 F (Wunderground.com). According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Cashmere has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=470954&cityname=Cashmere%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Cashmere, Washington]</ref>

==Economy==

Cashmere is home to [[Liberty Orchards]], the maker of [[Aplets & Cotlets]] confectionaries. In 1997, the city renamed two of its main streets to Aplets Way and Cotlets Avenue as part of a promotion requested by the company, who had threatened to move from the area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Ross |date=September 24, 1997 |title=Cashmere now hometown of aplets, cotlets |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19970924&slug=2562216 |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Egan |first=Timothy |author-link=Timothy Egan |date=October 6, 1997 |title=Cashmere Journal: Old-Fashioned Town Sours On Candymaker's New Pitch |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/06/us/cashmere-journal-old-fashioned-town-sours-on-candymaker-s-new-pitch.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref> Cashmere is also the headquarters of [[Cashmere Valley Bank]], established in 1932 by Hy W. Rieke and H.H. Rieke after the failure of two banks during the beginning of the [[Great Depression]]. Today, they are one of the largest financial institutions in Central Washington.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 625
|1920= 1114
|1930= 1473
|1940= 1465
|1950= 1768
|1960= 1891
|1970= 1976
|1980= 2240
|1990= 2544
|2000= 2965
|2010= 3063
|2020= 3248
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5310495|title=Cashmere city, Washington|author=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 23, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 3,063 people, 1,118 households, and 760 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2973.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,179 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1144.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 77.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 18.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 28.4% of the population.

There were 1,118 households, of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 2,965 people, 1,105 households, and 717 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,322.1 people per square mile (1,286.3/km{{sup|2}}). There were 1,174 housing units at an average density of 1,315.4 per square mile (509.3/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the city was 89.71% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.54% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 8.20% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.18% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 17.00% of the population.

There were 1,105 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,854, and the median income for a family was $45,347. Males had a median income of $33,333 versus $25,439 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,468. About 6.3% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

The 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial is a monument in downtown Cashmere that is dedicated to victims and first responders of the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]].  The work includes structural debris from the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|Twin Towers]] and [[The Pentagon]].  Dedicated in 2015, the memorial shares the site with Cashmere's Veterans War Memorial.<ref>{{cite news |last1=King5 Staff |title=Town gets 9/11 memorial the state didn't want |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/town-gets-911-memorial-the-state-didnt-want/281-140362828 |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=King5 News |date=May 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Moraga |first1=Sebastian |title=Cashmere awarded 9/11 memorial statue |url=https://www.cashmerevalleyrecord.com/cashmere-awarded-911-memorial-statue |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=Cashmere Valley Record |date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Demetros' create interactive 9/11 memorial |url=https://www.thereflector.com/stories/demetros-create-interactive-911-memorial,48528 |access-date=1 November 2021 |work=The Reflector |date=September 29, 2015}}</ref>

[[Image:Cashmere, WA - Cottage Avenue Historic District 11.jpg|thumb|Cashmere's [[Cottage Avenue Historic District]] is also listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]. Here, the [[Cascade Mountains|Cascade]] foothills can be seen behind a [[American Craftsman|Craftsman]] home typical of the district.]]

==Recreation==
Cashmere is surrounded by the eastern foothills of the [[Cascade Mountains]]. The [[Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area]] is about 10 miles to the West. The [[Peshastin Pinnacles]] is a historical climbing area located a few miles from town. Some of America's first technical climbing routes were established here by [[Fred Beckey]] and others. The [[Devil's Gulch]] mountain bike trail is said to be the premier downhill ride in the state of Washington, and is located just south of town. This ride attracts thousands of mountain bikers from [[Seattle]] and elsewhere each year. The Wenatchee river is a popular whitewater destination and runs right through Cashmere. The river provides challenging rapids for rafters and kayakers each spring during runoff, including those occurring in the stretch of river that runs through town.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cityofcashmere.org/ City of Cashmere website]
* [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8750 History of Cashmere] at [[HistoryLink]]
{{Chelan County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Chelan County, Washington]]
[[Category:Wenatchee–East Wenatchee metropolitan area]]