Editing Elbe, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Elbe, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
| image_skyline      = Elbe Church, Washington2.JPG
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = The [[Elbe Evangelical Lutheran Church|Little White Church of Elbe]]
| image_map          = Pierce_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Elbe_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Elbe, Washington
<!-- 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  = [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 0.1
| area_land_km2      = 0.1
| area_water_km2     = 0.0
| area_total_sq_mi   = 0.0
| area_land_sq_mi    = 0.0
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.0
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 39
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- 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       = 1211
| coordinates        = {{coord|46|45|55|N|122|11|44|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 98330
| area_code          = [[Area code 360|360]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-20890<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2408065<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2408065}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Elbe''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|l|b|iː}}) is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Pierce County, Washington]], United States. The population was 39 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census Bureau Profile: Elbe CDP, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Elbe%20CDP,%20Washington |access-date=May 7, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Known as Brown's Junction<ref name="EMCSG">{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Elbe Market Country Store's giant new Bigfoot statue welcomes visitors to the 118-year-old building |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/elbe-market-country-stores-giant-new-bigfoot-statue-welcomes-visitors-to-the-118-year-old,340904 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |work=[[The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington)]] |date=May 24, 2024}}</ref> after the Tacoma & Eastern Railway was built in the region, there are similar but competing theories on the change of the community's name to Elbe. When a post office was requested, a shorter name was demanded and a meeting of settlers decided to honor the pioneer settler Henry C. Lutkens who had come from the valley of the [[Elbe]] in Germany.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Meany |first= Edmond S. |author-link= Edmond S. Meany |year= 1918 |title= Origin of Washington Geographic Names |journal= The Washington Historical Quarterly |volume= X |page= 122 |publisher= Washington University State Historical Society |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PLsUAAAAYAAJ |access-date=June 11, 2006}}</ref> Another hypothesis suggests the settlers of the area, whom hailed as a group from the Elbe Valley, derived the moniker based on the similarities of the [[Elbe]] and the [[Nisqually River]]s.<ref name="EMCSG"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/stream/originofwashingt0000mean#page/76/mode/2up |title=Origin of Washington Geographic Names |editor=Edmond S. Meany |date=1923 |page=77 |access-date=July 20, 2017 |language=de}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Elbe, Washington 01.jpg|thumb|left|Downtown Elbe, early 20th century]]
In 1888 the first settlers came to the forests on the Nisqually River. Some of them were the German emigrants Karl Lütkens and Adam Sachs. Karl Lütkens, who was only 19 at the time, was so enthusiastic about his new home that he persuaded his parents Heinrich and Christina Lütkens to come to America as well. These left their previous home in [[Todendorf]] in the district [[Kreis Stormarn|Stormarn]] in [[Schleswig-Holstein]] and arrived in America in 1891. The first settlers in this area also included Ferdinand Selle, Christian Fritz, Louis Schuffenhauer, Christian Kruse, Max Ogans, Hans Bartels, Fred Duke, W. Lawrence, Levi Engel, Vincent Rotter, R. Schmidt, Frank Salzer, Gus Stoll and Christian Weilandt. The small town grew, and on June 4, 1892, a post office was already established here.

The economic development of the place in the following years was good. Nearby Mount Rainier was the destination of many tourists who took a break on their way to Elbe. In 1894 Heinrich Lütkens and his son Karl built a tourist hotel with 48 rooms. Ferdinand Selle had previously built a hotel, but it burned down after a short time. At that time, the village blacksmith Levi Engel was temporarily the editor of a newspaper called "Elbe Union". With his [[plate camera]], Engel accompanied village life for many years. In 1894 a town hall was also built, in which various events, including dance events, took place.

In 1895 Heinrich Lütkens and his family had a special reunion. From [[Hamfelde (Lauenburg)|Hamfelde]] in the district [[Herzogtum Lauenburg]] in Schleswig-Holstein was Carl Böttcher, the brother-in-law of Lütkens, emigrated with his family and settled in a neighboring town of Elbe.

The town began to experience an increase in tourism after Elbe was connected to the Tacoma Eastern Railroad rail network in 1904 and the Road to Paradise, which became [[Washington State Route 706]], was completed in 1911.<ref name="EMCSG"/> Another large hotel and several restaurants were built. The local co-founder Adam Sachs opened a department store during this time. Two years later, the villagers built a church. The building material and the plot of land were donated by Heinrich Lütkens. Until the opening of the church, the residents of Elbe had celebrated their services in private houses or in the town hall. In 1909 Elbe already had 250 inhabitants and in the course of the 20th century the population rose to 437.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elbe has namesake in America|newspaper= Salzgitter-Zeitung |date=July 25, 1988 |page=11}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|0.039|mi2}}, all of it land.

Elbe is located approximately {{convert|29|mi}} south of [[Seattle]] and approximately {{convert|87|mi}} north of [[Portland, Oregon]]. [[Mount Rainier]] is approximately {{convert|21|mi}} northeast.

===Climate===
Elbe has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csb'') typical for the [[North Coast (Washington)|North Coast]], characterized by warm (occasionally hot) dry summers, and mild to chilly, rainy and snowy winters. In Elbe's case the climate is moderated by the proximity to the [[Pacific Ocean]] with small temperature variations on average throughout the year, resulting in mild year-round temperatures, although winter can get cool with freezing and snow. Average high temperatures range from {{convert| 43.3 |F|C}} in December to {{convert| 76.7 |F|C}} in August.
Elbe on average has very wet winters and summers with a few days of rainfall, also representative for the region. Temperatures of above {{convert|32|F|C}} are common with measurable snowfall.

{{Weather box|location = Elbe, WA
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = y
|Jan high F = 44.8
|Feb high F = 48.6
|Mar high F = 52.5
|Apr high F = 57.3
|May high F = 63.7
|Jun high F = 69.1
|Jul high F = 75.8
|Aug high F = 76.7
|Sep high F = 71.3
|Oct high F = 60.2
|Nov high F = 49.1
|Dec high F = 43.3
|year high F = 
|Jan mean F = 
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|Jan low F = 32.3
|Feb low F = 32.0
|Mar low F = 34.7
|Apr low F = 37.5
|May low F = 42.9
|Jun low F = 47.8
|Jul low F = 51.5
|Aug low F = 51.0
|Sep low F = 45.9
|Oct low F = 39.8
|Nov low F = 35.1
|Dec low F = 31.1
|year low F = 
|Jan precipitation inch = 8.2
|Feb precipitation inch = 6.0
|Mar precipitation inch = 6.0
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.0
|May precipitation inch = 4.1
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.4
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.4
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.4
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.8
|Oct precipitation inch = 5.3
|Nov precipitation inch = 9.8
|Dec precipitation inch = 7.1
|year precipitation inch = 
|Jan precipitation days = 18
|Feb precipitation days = 14
|Mar precipitation days = 17
|Apr precipitation days = 16
|May precipitation days = 15
|Jun precipitation days = 12
|Jul precipitation days = 6
|Aug precipitation days = 6
|Sep precipitation days = 8
|Oct precipitation days = 13
|Nov precipitation days = 18
|Dec precipitation days = 17
|year precipitation days =

|precipitation colour = green

| Jan snow inch  = 5.2
| Feb snow inch  = 2.7
| Mar snow inch  = 1.0
| Apr snow inch  = 0.3
| May snow inch  = 0
| Jun snow inch  = 0
| Jul snow inch  = 0
| Aug snow inch  = 0
| Sep snow inch  = 0
| Oct snow inch  = 0
| Nov snow inch  = 1.1
| Dec snow inch  = 3.9
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|source = <ref name=bestplace.net>{{cite web |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/zip-code/washington/elbe/98330 |title=Elbe; WA |access-date=July 27, 2020}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
| 2000 = 21
| 2010 = 29
| 2020 = 39
}}

The estimated population of Elbe is 54 as of 2018, almost double the 29 residents counted in the [[2010 U.S. Census]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was reported to be 39 people.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2"/> of 2000, there were 21 people, 10 households, and 7 families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 818.2 people per square mile (270.3/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 10 housing units at an average density of 389.6/sq&nbsp;mi (128.7/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the CDP was 100.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]].

There were 10 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, none had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 30.0% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 9.5% from 45 to 64, and 38.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 162.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 200.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $13,750, and the median income for a family was $0. Males had a median income of $0 versus $0 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $13,863. None of the population or families were below the [[poverty line]].

==Arts and culture==

[[File:Elbe, Washington train station.jpg|thumb|Elbe train depot]]
===Historical buildings and sites===

The Elbe Market Country Store was built as a meeting hall by the [[International Order of Odd Fellows]] (IOOF) in 1906. The building was moved after the construction of the Road to Paradise and once had a functional second-story. {{As of|2024}}, the structure retains much of its original [[Wild West]] inspired architecture and design. A {{convert|14|foot}} welcome statue of a [[Bigfoot]], officially known as Mount Rainier Bigfoot but informally nicknamed Howard, was installed at the store in 2024.<ref name="EMCSG"/>

====The Little White Church of Elbe====
The [[Elbe Evangelical Lutheran Church]] is a small church with the German inscription “Ev. Luth. KIRCHE”, which was built in 1906 by the inhabitants according to the plans of Reverend Karl Kilian. The church is {{cvt|24.0 by 18.0|ft}} and can accommodate 46 people. The height of the church tower is {{cvt|46|ft}}. The church has since been restored and added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on October 8, 1976.<ref name = "NRHP">{{cite web |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=53da4c41-cb7e-4ad7-ba65-61b207fddaf8 | title=National Register of Historic Places |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |date=October 8, 1976 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |language=EN}}</ref> Church services take place once a month from March to December.

====Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad====
A railway line that runs from Elbe to the settlement of [[Mineral, Washington|Mineral]] is operated with steam locomotives and historic cars. The route leads through forests, crosses the Nisqually River and ends at the [[Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum|Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum]] in Mineral.

====Mt. Rainier National Park====
Mount Rainier National Park can be reached from Elbe via the National Park Highway after about {{convert|14|mi}}.

==Infrastructure==
* Mountain Highway ([[Washington State Route 7|State Route 7]])
* [[Washington State Route 706|State Route 706]]

The town has a rest area (no water), which cost over $3 million.

The community is among 8 locations that are part of an [[Electric vehicle|EV]] installation project on the [[White Pass Scenic Byway]]. The program will stretch from the [[White Pass Ski Area]] to [[Chehalis, Washington|Chehalis]] and is run in partnership with Lewis County PUD, [[Twin Transit]], state government agencies, and local community efforts. The venture began in 2023 from two grants totaling over $1.8 million.<ref>{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Construction Begins on U.S. Highway 12 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Network |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/construction-begins-on-us-highway-12-electric-vehicle-charging-station-network,315141 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |work=The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) |date=March 7, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.dispatchnews.com/ The Dispatch Newspaper]:Serving Eatonville, Ashford, Elbe, Roy and Graham.
* [http://www.mt-rainier.com/default.htm Mt. Rainier Visitor Center]
{{Pierce County, Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:German-American culture in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Pierce County, Washington]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Washington (state)]]