Editing Ritzville, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Ritzville, Washington
| official_name      = City of Ritzville
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Ritzville, WA — H.E. Gritman Building (2021-08-07).jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = [[Gritman Building]], downtown Ritzville
| image_map          = Adams_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Ritzville_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Ritzville, 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  = [[Adams County, Washington|Adams]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| 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     = 4.53
| area_land_km2      = 4.53
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.75
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.75
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total   = 1767
| 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       = 1860
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|7|35|N|118|22|30|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 99169
| 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         = 53-58725
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2410959<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410959}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.cityofritzville.com/ City of Ritzville]
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Ritzville''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɪ|t|s|v|ɪ|l|}}) is a city in [[Adams County, Washington]], United States. The population was 1,767 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is the [[county seat]] of [[Adams County, Washington|Adams County]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The city is part of the [[Othello, WA]] [[Micropolitan Area]], which comprises all of Adams County, and is part of the larger [[Moses Lake-Othello, WA Combined Statistical Area]].

==History==
{{refimprove-section|date=May 2025}}
[[File:Ritzville.jpg|thumb|Hauling Wheat to Mill, Ritzville c. 1908]]
[[File:Ritzville, WA - flour mill 01.jpg|thumb|Grain elevator, 2014. Wheat remains the key to Ritzville's economy.]]

The first settler in what would become modern Ritzville was William McKay in 1880. The town was named, however, after [[Phillip Ritz]], who had settled south of modern Ritzville two years earlier.<ref>Phillips, James W. ''Washington State Place Names''. 8th ed. Seattle: [[University of Washington Press]], 1971. Print.</ref> Ritz had come to [[Walla Walla, Washington|Walla Walla]] in 1861 and established a large orchard just outside of town known as Ritz, which consisted of over 100,000 trees of all types, including many fruit trees and shrubbery. Starting in 1866, he worked extensively to establish a second [[transcontinental railroad]]. His orchard business entailed many trips across the country by wagon, these trips gave him great political contact and influence.

By December 1880, Ritzville's townsite had been platted by [[John W. Sprague]] on behalf of his company, The [[Northern Pacific Railway]]. In 1881, McKay built the first house on the townsite. The Northern Pacific grade was under construction in the vicinity, and McKay's home was used as a makeshift hotel for the workers and associated transients.

With the railroad came a new wave of settlers to the area. In the summer of 1881, McKay erected the first store, and the railroad built a depot nearby, which also served as a hotel, theater, and meeting hall. At that time, the fledgling village had a population of around 50, and the school consisted of a [[lean-to]] against a house. The town's water supply was the railroad tank because it was not thought that water could be found in the ground. The first religious services in Adams County were held in Ritzville in April 1882 at the McKay Home, and the [[Congregationalism in the United States|First Congregational Church]] was soon organized. A church was built in 1885. The post office was established in 1883 by J.L. Johnson of Walla Walla. He also purchased McKay's store. Soon afterwards, many more businesses were founded. The town had begun to establish itself as a significant wheat shipping center within the [[Big Bend of the Columbia River|Big Bend Country]], and its growth continued steadily throughout the decade.

As the town's reliance on the railroad water tank became unsustainable, efforts were undertaken to locate an underground water source. Initial attempts were unsuccessful; however, a viable well was eventually discovered approximately {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} east of the original town site. In response, most property owners agreed to relocate closer to the new water source, except for a large hotel, which was not feasible to move. Subsequently, water was also located at the original site, allowing the town to remain in place. By 1887, Ritzville supported a growing commercial and civic infrastructure, including three general merchandise stores, one drugstore, one saloon, two blacksmith shops, two lumber yards, two [[livery stable]]s, one harness shop, two hotels, and a large two-story wooden schoolhouse serving approximately 100 students.<ref name="history">''An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties''. Spokane, Washington: Western Historical Publishing Company, 1904. Print.</ref>

On June 6, 1888, a fire caused by a defective [[flue]] wiped out nearly all of the business section of town.<ref name="history"/> Ritzville had no fire department at the time, and its citizens were unable to combat the flames effectively. Rebuilding got underway quickly, resulting in the town's first brick building in 1889, built by the town's first mayor, N.H. Greene. It still stands and is currently part of the [[Ritzville Historic District]].

Following the rebuilding from the fire, Ritzville was incorporated as a town in 1888 and was officially re-incorporated as a city on July 17, 1890, after Washington became a state. The first banking institution, The Adams County Bank (later First National Bank), would follow in April 1891. After another downtown fire in 1894, a waterworks system was installed at a cost of $20,000. The first permanent Adams County courthouse was also built in 1892.

After the [[Panic of 1893]] had subsided in 1898, Ritzville was experiencing another boom, with demand for property rising and scores of buildings being built. Telephone service was established in August 1899. By the turn of the century, the population had exceeded 1,200. The town finally received a volunteer fire department in 1901, with equipment funded by the citizens. Also in 1901, Ritzville received the title of the greatest wheat shipping point in the world. Between August of that year and August 1902, approximately 1,967,725 bushels of wheat were received in Ritzville warehouses for shipment, and 1,990 rail cars of [[wheat]] and [[flour]] were billed out. These numbers would only be exceeded in 1902. On January 17, 1902, Ritzville was electrified for the first time, run by a [[steam-powered]] [[dynamo]]. A [[chamber of commerce]] was formed in 1903, and the following year, the courthouse was doubled in size. The city received a [[Carnegie library]] in 1907, the only one in Adams County. It still serves as the town's library today.

By the time of [[The Great Depression]], growth had slowed, and Ritzville settled in as a small town. In the 1960s, [[Interstate 90 in Washington|Interstate 90]] was constructed around the south end of town, replacing [[U.S. Route 10]] and re-routing [[U.S. Route 395 in Washington|U.S. Route 395]] and its traffic away from downtown. The town's arrested development from then on preserved it and formed the core of the designated Ritzville Historic District in 1990.

==Geography==
[[File:Aerial - Ritzville, WA 01 - white balanced (9794496583).jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Ritzville, 2013]]
Ritzville is located along Paha Creek at the northern end of the Paha Coulee, approximately {{convert|53|mi|km|0}} southwest of [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]] on [[Interstate 90]] / [[U.S. Route 395]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.70|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.<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=2012-12-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

===Climate===
Ritzville experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''[[Cold semi-arid climate|BSk]]''). Annual precipitation averages 11.9 in (30.2&nbsp;cm). The average temperature in January is {{convert|27|°F|°C|0}}, and in July it is {{convert|69|°F|°C|0}}. Annual snowfall averages just under {{convert|20|in|cm|round=10}}.<ref name=Weatherbase>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=950754&refer= |title =Weatherbase: Weather for Ritzville, Washington, United States of America |  publisher=Weatherbase | year=2007 |  access-date = 2007-12-01  }}</ref>

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Ritzville, Washington (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1916–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 60
 | Feb record high F  = 66
 | Mar record high F  = 77
 | Apr record high F  = 92
 | May record high F  = 99
 | Jun record high F  = 110
 | Jul record high F  = 111
 | Aug record high F  = 112
 | Sep record high F  = 103
 | Oct record high F  = 93
 | Nov record high F  = 70
 | Dec record high F  = 62
 | year record high F = 
 | Jan high F = 35.8
 | Feb high F = 41.8
 | Mar high F = 51.0
 | Apr high F = 59.7
 | May high F = 69.1
 | Jun high F = 76.2
 | Jul high F = 86.7
 | Aug high F = 86.1
 | Sep high F = 76.6
 | Oct high F = 61.5
 | Nov high F = 45.2
 | Dec high F = 35.2
 | year high F = 60.4
 | Jan mean F = 29.8
 | Feb mean F = 33.9
 | Mar mean F = 40.4
 | Apr mean F = 46.7
 | May mean F = 55.2
 | Jun mean F = 61.5
 | Jul mean F = 70.1
 | Aug mean F = 69.7
 | Sep mean F = 61.4
 | Oct mean F = 49.0
 | Nov mean F = 36.9
 | Dec mean F = 29.3
 | year mean F = 48.7
 | Jan low F = 23.9
 | Feb low F = 25.9
 | Mar low F = 29.8
 | Apr low F = 33.8
 | May low F = 41.3
 | Jun low F = 46.8
 | Jul low F = 53.4
 | Aug low F = 53.3
 | Sep low F = 46.1
 | Oct low F = 36.4
 | Nov low F = 28.7
 | Dec low F = 23.4
 | year low F = 36.9
 | Jan record low F  = -23
 | Feb record low F  = -24
 | Mar record low F  = 0
 | Apr record low F  = 11
 | May record low F  = 21
 | Jun record low F  = 29
 | Jul record low F  = 33
 | Aug record low F  = 32
 | Sep record low F  = 20
 | Oct record low F  = 5
 | Nov record low F  = -14
 | Dec record low F  = -21
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 1.64
 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.12
 | Mar precipitation inch = 1.33
 | Apr precipitation inch = 0.96
 | May precipitation inch = 1.19
 | Jun precipitation inch = 0.89
 | Jul precipitation inch = 0.41
 | Aug precipitation inch = 0.32
 | Sep precipitation inch = 0.43
 | Oct precipitation inch = 1.08
 | Nov precipitation inch = 1.58
 | Dec precipitation inch = 1.80
 | year precipitation inch = 12.75
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 12.0
 | Feb precipitation days  = 9.0
 | Mar precipitation days  = 9.3
 | Apr precipitation days  = 7.8
 | May precipitation days  = 7.4
 | Jun precipitation days  = 5.9
 | Jul precipitation days  = 2.5
 | Aug precipitation days  = 2.7
 | Sep precipitation days  = 3.7
 | Oct precipitation days  = 7.1
 | Nov precipitation days  = 11.4
 | Dec precipitation days  = 11.9
 | year precipitation days = 90.7
 | Jan snow inch = 5.9
 | Feb snow inch = 1.9
 | Mar snow inch = 1.2
 | Apr snow inch = 0.1
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 2.4
 | Dec snow inch = 4.2
 | year snow inch = 15.7
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 4.7
 | Feb snow days  = 2.2
 | Mar snow days  = 1.0
 | Apr snow days  = 0.1
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 2.0
 | Dec snow days  = 4.8
 | year snow days = 14.8
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=otx
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = December 12, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00457059&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = December 12, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 761
|1910= 1859
|1920= 1900
|1930= 1777
|1940= 1748
|1950= 2145
|1960= 2173
|1970= 1876
|1980= 1800
|1990= 1725
|2000= 1736
|2010= 1673
|2020= 1767
|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=October 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5358725|title=Ritzville city, Washington|author=United States Census Bureau|access-date=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=2012-12-19}}</ref> there were 1,673 people, 751 households, and 444 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|984.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 902 housing units at an average density of {{convert|530.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.8% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 751 households, of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the city was 48.1 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 1,736 people, 777 households, and 470 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,347.8 people per square mile (198.4/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 677.8 per square mile (261.3/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 95.79% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.35% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.58% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.86% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.84% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.36% of the population.

There were 777 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,560, and the median income for a family was $40,240. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $21,083 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,308. About 8.4% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
Places listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington state#Adams County|National Register of Historic Places]] include:
* The Burroughs (Dr. Frank R.) House
* The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot
* The Greene (Nelson H.) House
* Ritzville Carnegie Library
* [[Ritzville High School]]
* [[Ritzville Historic District]]

The Burroughs House and the National Pacific Depot have both been ceded to the city and maintained as museums by volunteers.<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://museums.goritzville.com/ | title = Historic Ritzville |  access-date=2007-12-05 }}</ref>

The New Ritz Theatre was opened in 1937,<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1937-9-18&page_no=104#page_start | title = Box Office Magazine, September 8, 1937 | publisher=Box Office Media, LLC |  access-date=2013-06-16 }}</ref> designed by Bjarne Moe.<ref>{{cite web
| url =https://www.dahp.wa.gov/learn-and-research/architect-biographies/bjarne-h-moe | title = Biography, Bjarne H. Moe | publisher=[[Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation]] |  access-date=2013-06-16 }}</ref>  It maintains the original architecture and seating arrangement for 400 patrons.

Ritzville hosts the largest annual rodeo in eastern Washington.<ref>Kirk, pg. 98</ref>
<gallery class="center">
File:Ritzville, WA - Carnegie Library.JPG|Ritzville Carnegie Library
File:Ritzville, WA - Ritz Theatre 02.jpg|Ritz Theatre
File:Ritzville, WA - Northern Pacific Railway Depot 01.jpg|Northern Pacific Railway Depot
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* ''An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties''. Spokane, Washington: Western Historical Publishing Company, 1904. Print.
* Kirk, Ruth and Carmela Alexander (1990, revised 1995) ''Exploring Washington's Past: a road guide to history (Revised Edition)'', University of Washington Press, Seattle. {{ISBN|0-295-97443-5}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.ritzville-wa.us/ City of Ritzville website]
* [https://www.historylink.org/file/9396 Ritzville - Thumbnail History], HistoryLink
* [http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/ritzville Ritzville Heritage]. Local history collections from the Ritzville Public Library and Adams County Historical Society.
* [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/459 A.M. Kendrick Collection] at [[Washington State Digital Archives]]

{{Adams County, Washington}}
{{Washington (state) county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ritzville, Washington|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Adams County, Washington]]
[[Category:County seats in Washington (state)]]