Editing Wilkeson, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Wilkeson, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Entrance sign in Wilkeson.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_map                = Pierce_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Wilkeson_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Wilkeson, 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        = [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]]
<!-- Government ------>
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|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           = 1.21
|area_land_km2            = 1.21
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.47
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.47
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population ------>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 499
|population_density_km2   = 425.68
|population_density_sq_mi = 1103.00
<!-- 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             = 1073
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|06|12|N|122|02|58|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 98396
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]] 
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-78925
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2413489<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413489}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Wilkeson''' is a town in [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 499 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5378925 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 16, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Wilkeson, Washington.jpg|left|thumb|Downtown Wilkeson]]
[[File:Wilkeson, WA - Holy Trinity Orthodox Church 07.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Holy Trinity Orthodox Church]], built 1900, is a legacy of the many Eastern Europeans who came to work in the mines and quarries around Wilkeson.]]
Settlers searching for coal arrived in the area that became Wilkeson in the 1870s.{{r|hatcher}} By 1877, a [[Northern Pacific Railway]] line transported coal to Tacoma. Northern Pacific Railway president [[Henry Villard]] hired geologist [[Bailey Willis]] to direct field explorations of the coal fields around Wilkeson.<ref name="haines">{{cite book | last=Haines | first=Aubrey | title=Mountain fever: historic conquests of Rainier | publisher=University of Washington Press | publication-place=Seattle | year=1999 | isbn=0-295-97847-3 | oclc=41619403 | pages=58–59}}</ref> Much of the property of Wilkeson was purchased by Northern Pacific Railway, with the remaining part of town known as Hope. In 1885, [[coke oven]]s were built by the [[Wilkeson Coke Ovens|Wilkeson Coal and Coke Company]]. In addition to coal, Wilkeson shipped timber and sandstone across Washington.{{r|hatcher}}

Wilkeson was officially incorporated on July 18, 1909. The town is named for Samuel Wilkeson, father of journalist and pioneer settler [[Frank Wilkeson]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Frank Wilkeson biography | website=2020 Skagit River Journal home | date=June 6, 2011 | url=http://www.skagitriverjournal.com/WA/Library/Wilkeson/Wilkeson01-Bio.html | access-date=January 5, 2022}}</ref>

At its peak, Wilkeson had a newspaper, cigar factory, two electric plants, two theaters, two bakeries, and a bottling plant. Much of the town burned down in 1910 and 1912 fires. By 1937, coke production in Wilkeson had ended.{{r|hatcher}}

Although it was known as a [[ghost town]] for a time, people began moving to Wilkeson in the late 20th century, many who commute to [[Enumclaw]], [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]], and [[Seattle]] for work. Town improvements are paid for by a 160-acre tree farm managed by the town. Its new sewage treatment plant includes 900 feet of sewer lines replaced by volunteers.{{r|hatcher}} During this time, town management and activities were marked by a tension between a preservationist faction and an environmentalist faction.{{r|hatcher}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|0.47|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=December 19, 2012}}</ref>

The community is situated between the town of [[Carbonado, Washington|Carbonado]] and the unincorporated community of [[Burnett, Washington|Burnett]]. The city of [[Buckley, Washington|Buckley]] is situated approximately 5 miles to the north.

Wilkeson is located near to the northwest corner of Mt. Rainier National Park.  Access to the park is attainable south of the town at an entrance point at the Carbon River.  Unimproved roads from the east of Wilkeson plunge deep into the park.  One Road, FS 7720 leads to within 200 yards (180 m) of the Wilderness Boundary.

<div style="position: relative; float:left; width:500px;">
[[Image:Blank map.svg|400px|left|Surrounding places]]
{{Image label|x=0.5|y=0.5|scale=400|text=[[Image:Map pointer black.svg|20px|Wilkeson]]'''Wilkeson'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.558|y=0.270|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|14px|Population of 5114 (2020)]]<small>[[Buckley, Washington|Buckley]] (5.1 mi, 8.2 km)</small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.491|y=0.613|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|Population of 734 (2020)]]<small>[[Carbonado, Washington|Carbonado]] (2.3 mi, 3.7 km)</small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.654|y=0.103|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|18px|Population of 12543 (2020)]]<small>[[Enumclaw, Washington|Enumclaw]] (9.0 mi, 14.0 km)</small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.053|y=0.546|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|14px|Population of 9041 (2020)]]<small>[[Orting, Washington|Orting]] (13.0 mi, 20.9 km)</small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.216|y=0.340|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|18px|Population of 12288 (2020)]]<small>[[Prairie Ridge, Washington|Prairie Ridge]] (8.4 mi, 13.5 km)</small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.362|y=0.369|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|6px|Population of 373 (2020)]]<small>[[South Prairie, Washington|South Prairie]] (5.2 mi, 8.3 km)</small>}}
</div>{{clear|left}}

===Climate===
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 F (22 C).  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Wilkeson 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=407554&cityname=Wilkeson%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Wilkeson, Washington]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 104
|1910= 899
|1920= 803
|1930= 448
|1940= 369
|1950= 386
|1960= 412
|1970= 317
|1980= 316
|1990= 366
|2000= 395
|2010= 477
|2020= 499
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|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=July 25, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

[[File:2011-10-27, Wilkeson Town Hall, Wilkeson, Washington, 01.jpg|thumb|left|Wilkeson Town Hall]]
Wilkeson was once much larger, boasting a population of 1,437 in the 1910 census.

[[Image:EvansCreekORV.jpg|thumb|Evans Creek ORV (Off Road Vehicle) park at the base of Mt. Rainier, Washington, near the end of SR165.]]

===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 477 people, 169 households, and 129 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1014.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 175 housing units at an average density of {{convert|372.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 169 households, of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.7% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the town was 33.9 years. 29.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 7.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 395 people, 140 households, and 100 families living in the town. The population density was 810.0 people per square mile (311.2/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 150 housing units at an average density of 307.6 per square mile (118.2/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 95.95% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.01% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 3.04% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.52% of the population.

There were 140 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 30.4% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,375, and the median income for a family was $46,875. Males had a median income of $38,250 versus $31,458 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,481. About 2.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including none of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

===Events===
Wilkeson hosts the National Handcar Races annually on the third Saturday in July.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.townofwilkeson.com/sample-page/wilkeson-national-handcar-races/ | title=Wilkeson National Handcar Races &#124; Town of Wilkeson }}</ref>

===Historic buildings and sites===
The town is home to the [[Holy Trinity Orthodox Church]], the oldest Orthodox church in Washington state, and the [[Wilkeson School]], a schoolhouse built in 1909 and listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

[[The Carlson Block]] dates from 1910.

There are several existing relics from Wilkeson's mining past, including bee hive coke ovens, a gated mine shaft on Wilkeson Creek and an abandoned concrete coal works.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.townofwilkeson.com/sample-page/wilkeson-coke-ovens/|title = Wilkeson Coke Ovens &#124; Town of Wilkeson}}</ref> The 30 remaining [[coke (fuel)|coke]] ovens from the town's early involvement in the coal industry are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name=hatcher>{{cite news | newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=October 25, 2000 | last=Hatcher | first=Candy | page=A1 | title=Double Life of an Old Ghost Town | id={{ProQuest|385572841}}}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/Upriver/Uto-Conc/Wilkeson01-Bio.html Frank Wilkeson biography]
* [http://www.ofm.wa.gov/ Washington State Office of Financial Management]
* [http://www.sunsetlake.org Sunset Lake Camp]

{{Pierce County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Pierce County, Washington]]
[[Category:Towns in Washington (state)]]