Editing Metaline Falls, Washington

{{Short description|Town in Pend Oreille County, Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Metaline Falls, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Metaline_falls.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Metaline Falls
|image_map                = Pend_Oreille_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Metaline_Falls_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Metaline Falls, Washington
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = 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        = [[Pend Oreille County, Washington|Pend Oreille]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = May 13, 1911
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 19, 2024}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 0.68
|area_land_km2            = 0.52
|area_water_km2           = 0.17
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.26
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.20
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.06
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 284
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 272
|population_density_km2   = 400.00
|population_density_sq_mi = 1046.15
<!-- 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             = 2103
|coordinates              = {{coord|48|51|38|N|117|22|25|W|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 99153
|area_code                = [[Area code 509|509]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-45320
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2412990<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412990}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Metaline Falls''' is a town in [[Pend Oreille County, Washington|Pend Oreille County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 272 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Metaline_Falls_town,_Washington?g=160XX00US5345320 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=June 19, 2024}}</ref>

==History==
By 1810, [[Animal trapping|European fur traders]] were crossing the area. The settlement of Metaline Falls was founded in 1900, with most of its residents then employed by the Mammoth and Morning lead-zinc mines.<ref name=majors>{{Cite book|last=Majors|first=Harry M.|title=Exploring Washington|publisher=Van Winkle Publishing Co|year=1975|page=59|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CoWrPQAACAAJ|isbn=978-0-918664-00-6}}</ref> Metaline Falls was officially incorporated on May 3, 1911.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/628B65AE67A9E11E1A4A11EC3DCC424C|title = Stevens County Board of Commissioners, Meetings, 1860-1913, 2005-2009 - Stvcocommmin19110503.Tif - Stevens County}}</ref>

The name Metaline comes from the abundance of [[lead]] [[ore]], [[galena]], found in the region.  Though these lead deposits were known since 1869, mining did not commence until 1886.  Then in 1910, Metaline Falls was connected with the [[Idaho and Washington Northern Railroad]].  The Lehigh Portland Cement Co. plant was soon built, taking advantage of the region's [[limestone]] deposits.  The Pend Oreille Mine was developed in 1929 by Lewis P. Larsen, and combined with production from the Grandview Mine and the [[Metaline]] Mine, the area became the state's largest producer of lead and [[zinc]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bethune |first1=George |title=Mines and Minerals of Washington |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kqcRAAAAIAAJ&pg=PP5 |website=Google Books |publisher=State of Washington |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |location=Olympia |pages=82–83 |date=1890}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dings |first1=McClelland |last2=Whitebread |first2=Donald |title=Geology and Ore Deposits of the Metaline Zinc-Lead District Pend Oreille County Washington, USGS Professional Paper 489 |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0489/report.pdf |publisher=USGS |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |pages=56–58}}</ref><ref name="Full1968">{{cite book |last1=McConnel |first1=Roger |last2=Anderson |first2=Roy |editor1-last=Ridge |editor1-first=John |title=The Metaline District, Washington, in Ore deposits of the United States, 1933-1967 |date=1968 |publisher=The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum engineers, Inc. |location=New York |pages=1460–1480}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Willenbrock |first1=Fred |title=Pend Oreille County braces for economic losses after closure of last major rock mine |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jun/30/pend-oreille-county-braces-for-economic-losses-aft/ |website=spokesman.com |publisher=The Spokesman Review |accessdate=July 2, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Metaline Falls, Washington, circa 1980 (50729904433).jpg|thumb|Metaline Falls, circa 1980]]

In 1942, [[Executive Order 9066]] was issued, resulting in the forced internment of [[Japanese American internment|120,000 Japanese-Americans]]. George Kubota, Sr., the patriarch of a Japanese-American family who ran a hardware store in town, was arrested and imprisoned by the [[FBI]] in [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]]. The editors of the Metaline Falls newspaper and the majority of residents in town protested the arrest, vouching for the Kubota family's loyalty. The FBI eventually released Kubota from custody and did not send the family to an internment camp.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nichibei.org/2016/06/the-kaeru-kid-a-most-righteous-town/|title=THE KAERU KID: A most righteous town|newspaper=Nichi bei News |date=June 9, 2016 |last1=News |first1=Nichi Bei }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2015-07-29/html/CREC-2015-07-29-pt1-PgE1164-3.htm|title=Congressional Record, Volume 161 Issue 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|0.26|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.06|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

Metaline Falls is located on the east bank of the [[Pend Oreille River]] as it flows north towards Canada. The town of [Metaline Falls, Washington] lies directly upstream from Metaline on the opposite bank of the river. The river makes a zig zag at Metaline Falls, turning briefly to the east to get around Washington Rock, which towers over Metaline Falls immediately to the north of the town and the [[Metaline Falls Bridge]]. Sullivan Creek, which drains nearby Sullivan Lake, enters the river at Metaline Falls. The river is the site of the lowest lying terrain in the Metaline Falls area, as it cuts its way through the peaks of the [[Selkirk Mountains]] which rise over 1,000 feet above the river within just a mile of the town.<ref name="USGS2020">{{cite web |title=Metaline Falls Quadrangle |url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=97d2d627b31b61f806e9e902910d17e1 |website=usgs.gov |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=May 3, 2022 |format=Map |date=2020}}</ref>

The town is surrounded by the [[Colville National Forest]], with the rugged and isolated [[Salmo-Priest Wilderness]] coming within just a few miles to the east.<ref name="USFS">{{cite web |title=Sullivan Lake RD |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/recarea/?recid=72092 |website=fs.usda.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=May 3, 2022}}</ref> The Sullivan Lake Ranger District is headquartered in Metaline Falls.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colville National Forest - About the Forest |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/colville/about-forest |website=fs.usda.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=May 3, 2022}}</ref>

[[Washington State Route 31|State Route 31]] passes through Metaline Falls, connecting the town to the rest of the state highway system at [[Tiger, Washington|Tiger]] in the south and with Canada at [[Nelway, British Columbia]].<ref name="USGS2020"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Pend Oreille Village Summary Report |url=https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/2055eb91-f81d-5b2c-b4f9-597c648a3a71/summary |website=nationalmap.gov |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=May 3, 2022}}</ref>

===Climate===
Metaline Falls has a dry-summer [[Humid continental climate]] (Dsb) according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system.

{{Weather box
|location = Metaline Falls|width=auto
|single line = Y
|collapsed = yes
| Jan record high F = 49
| Feb record high F = 57
| Mar record high F = 71
| Apr record high F = 87
| May record high F = 98
| Jun record high F = 98
| Jul record high F = 104
| Aug record high F = 108
| Sep record high F = 96
| Oct record high F = 87
| Nov record high F = 59
| Dec record high F = 55
| year record high F = 108
| Jan high F = 29.9
| Feb high F = 37.3
| Mar high F = 46.9
| Apr high F = 58.9
| May high F = 68.5
| Jun high F = 74.4
| Jul high F = 83.9
| Aug high F = 82.3
| Sep high F = 72.8
| Oct high F = 57.2
| Nov high F = 39.6
| Dec high F = 32.4
| year high F = 57
| Jan low F = 16.6
| Feb low F = 19.5
| Mar low F = 25.2
| Apr low F = 31.5
| May low F = 39
| Jun low F = 45
| Jul low F = 48.6
| Aug low F = 46.9
| Sep low F = 41.3
| Oct low F = 34.7
| Nov low F = 26.9
| Dec low F = 21.7
| year low F = 33.1
| Jan record low F = -29
| Feb record low F = -28
| Mar record low F = -9
| Apr record low F = 1
| May record low F = 22
| Jun record low F = 28
| Jul record low F = 31
| Aug record low F = 33
| Sep record low F = 20
| Oct record low F = -1
| Nov record low F = -6
| Dec record low F = -24
| year record low F = -29
| precipitation colour=green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.27
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.12
| Apr precipitation inch = 1.8
| May precipitation inch = 2.35
| Jun precipitation inch = 2.71
| Jul precipitation inch = 1.25
| Aug precipitation inch = 1.07
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.7
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.65
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.11
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.35
| year precipitation inch = 27.38
| Jan precipitation days = 14
| Feb precipitation days = 12
| Mar precipitation days = 12
| Apr precipitation days = 10
| May precipitation days = 11
| Jun precipitation days = 12
| Jul precipitation days = 6
| Aug precipitation days = 6
| Sep precipitation days = 7
| Oct precipitation days = 11
| Nov precipitation days = 13
| Dec precipitation days = 15
| Jan snow inch = 26.3
| Feb snow inch = 15.7
| Mar snow inch = 8.5
| Apr snow inch = 0.7
| May snow inch = 0.1
| Jun snow inch = 0
| Jul snow inch = 0
| Aug snow inch = 0
| Sep snow inch = 0
| Oct snow inch = 1
| Nov snow inch = 9.8
| Dec snow inch = 23.1
| year snow inch = 85.2
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wa5317 |title=METALINE FALLS, WASHINGTON (455317) |accessdate=November 18, 2015 |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center }}</ref>
|date=November 2015
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 153
|1930= 316
|1940= 453
|1950= 547
|1960= 469
|1970= 307
|1980= 296
|1990= 210
|2000= 223
|2010= 238
|2020= 272
|estyear=2023
|estimate=284
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 19, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 19, 2024}}</ref>
|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|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 238 people, 124 households, and 54 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1133.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 206 housing units at an average density of {{convert|981.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 94.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 2.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 124 households, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 56.5% were non-families. 49.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the town was 48.3 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.9% were from 25 to 44; 37.8% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 223 people, 122 households, and 52 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 1,076.1 people per square mile (410.0/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 192 housing units at an average density of 926.5 per square mile (353.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 96.86% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.35% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.45% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.35% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 122 households, out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.6% were non-families. 54.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.83 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.3% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,083, and the median income for a family was $35,250. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $18,333 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $16,390. About 24.4% of families and 33.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 48.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 16.2% of those 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
===Historical sites and buildings===
[[File:Larson House.jpg|thumb|Lewis P. Larson House]]

Metaline Falls is home to four of Pend Oreille County's six locations on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The Lewis P. Larson House, built in 1910 and designed by [[Kirtland Cutter]] is an English cottage style home. The Pend Oreille Mines and Metals Building, now known as the Lewis Larson Apartments, is the last remaining structure in town that was part of Larson's mining empire. The Washington Hotel, built in 1910 by Larson. The Metaline Falls School, also designed by Cutter, was built in 1912 in the classical revival style. The school was abandoned in 1972 and sat unmaintained until 1990 when local residents came together to take care of the historic building, which is now known as the Cutter Theater and serves as a community center.<ref name="NRHP">{{cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places – Single Property Listings – Washington |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75610789 |website=archives.gov |publisher=National Park Service — U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=May 3, 2022 |pages=288–291 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="Scheck">{{cite web |last1=Scheck |first1=Ronald |title=Cutter Theater (Metaline Falls School) |url=https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/628 |website=spokanehistorical.org |publisher=Eastern Washington University |access-date=May 3, 2022}}</ref>

===National protected areas===
* [[Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail]] (part)
* [[Colville National Forest]]
* [[Salmo-Priest Wilderness]]

==Education==
Metaline Falls is located in the Selkirk School District, which serves the residents of northern Pend Oreille County. Metaline Falls is home to the Selkirk Elementary School, while the combined middle and high schools are located on State Route 31 near Ione.<ref>{{cite web |title=Selkirk School District |url=https://www.selkirkschools.org/ |website=Selkirk School District |access-date=May 3, 2022}}</ref>

==Media==
* The train sequences of the 1993 film ''[[Benny & Joon]]'' were filmed in the Metaline Falls area
* The 1997 film [[The Postman (film)|''The Postman'']] was filmed in part in the area.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Pend Oreille County, Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Pend Oreille County, Washington]]
[[Category:Towns in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1900]]