Tenino, Washington
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Tenino (Template:IPAc-en) is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,870 at the 2020 census.<ref name="2020 Census (City)">Template:Cite web</ref>
Incorporated in 1906, the city sits upon land first established as a food-source prairie for Native Americans living in the area. The town grew around an economy of stone quarrying, with local sandstone being used in several government and university buildings in the Pacific Northwest. With a decrease in demand for stone, the town converted one abandoned quarry into a community pool. Its downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref>
Tenino gained notoriety during the Great Depression for the use of wooden money as public currency for its residents, a practice briefly revived during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="TWM"/><ref name="AWCT"/> The city was named for a steamboat used during a railroad committee expedition.<ref name=":0"/>
Etymology
[edit]The origin of the name Tenino, used by the Northern Pacific Railroad for their station when it was completed on October 8, 1872,<ref name="FSATT"/> has been debated for over a century. The two main theories given for a century were that Tenino was a Chinook Jargon word for a fork or branch in the trail, or a form of T9o or 10-9-0 used by the railroad for a locomotive number, survey stake, or train car. Both these theories have been disproven for decades,Template:By who? but keep resurfacing because definitive proof of the actual origin was lacking.Template:Cn
According to city historian Richard A. Edwards, the name "Tenino" was used by a steamboat of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company (OSN) on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The company had transported a Northern Pacific committee in early October 1872 prior to the town's founding; Northern Pacific had also acquired a controlling interest in the OSN earlier that year.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>
On October 12, 1872, at a meeting in Portland, Oregon, shortly after their tour up the Columbia River, John C. Ainsworth and other officers of the OSN made a presentation about their common interests, President Cass proposed a resolution that also named the momentarily Northern terminus near Hodgden's station "Tenino". As reported the following month in The Washington Standard, this connection allowed travel from the "old Tenino" (the OSN steamboat which held the record for traveling the farthest east up the Snake River), to "the new town" of Tenino which was the railroad's then current northwest terminus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Page missing
In early 1873, the Northern Pacific Railroad and local homesteader Stephen Hodgden filed plats in Thurston county establishing the town of Tenino. By late 1873, the financial backing of the railroad was in financial crisis and their stock in the OSN was sold for debt, ending the railroad's direct connection to the steamboat Tenino. The steamboat Tenino was itself named after the Tenino native band who once lived near The Dalles in Oregon and whose descendants are now part of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
The name also appears informally as "T-9-O," a shortened variation in use as early as 1873.<ref>"The Territories" Sacramento Daily Union, May 28, 1873.</ref>
History
[edit]19th-century beginnings
[edit]The city was officially incorporated on July 24, 1906, but Tenino existed as a rural community since the mid-19th century, the area containing a population of approximately 170 people by 1870<ref name="FSATT">Template:Cite news</ref> and the site fully platted in 1873.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Initially, American settlers were attracted to the open prairies created and maintained by local natives through controlled burns to cultivate camas root, a staple food source. Records indicate the initial settlers' community centered on the prairie approximately Template:Convert south of the present town. Early residents named their first post office and school "Coal Bank", in the 1860s, a reference to a nearby coal outcropping.<ref>Guy Ramsey, Postmarked Washington: Thurston County Thurston Co Historic Commission, n.d. 44.</ref> It was later renamed Tenino.
The railroad ended at Tenino for a time after Northern Pacific underwent financial difficulties, making the town the final passenger and freight stop on the line to Olympia. Timber production and manufacturing, as well as agriculture and mining, were early economic factors in Tenino, contributing to the community's growth. The largest part of the local economy was the quarrying of sandstone. Numerous buildings in Tenino's early days of formation were built of sandstone.<ref name="FSATT"/>
The area was rich in sandstone and part of a geologic layer known as the McIntosh Formation. By the late 19th century, a number of sandstone quarrying companies began shipping the stone as a construction material for large buildings on the West Coast. Buildings that used Tenino sandstone withstood two catastrophic events, the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, leading to the increase and popularity of the material.<ref name="RPAPL">Template:Cite news</ref> Eventually, Tenio sandstone was used in the construction of the Old Capitol Building and the old Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia, the rebuilt Seattle public library,<ref name="RPAPL"/> the Mason County Courthouse in Shelton, the First Congregational Church, developed by Cameron Stone, in Tacoma, Denny Hall and the Theodore Jacobson Observatory at the University of Washington, the Pittock Mansion and the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, the Calvary Presbyterian Church of San Francisco<ref name="RPAPL"/> and several US post office buildings, including at The Dalles, Oregon.Template:Citation needed Additional buildings constructed with Tenio sandstone include the Portland Public Library and the Science Hall at Washington State University.<ref name="FSATT"/> The US Government also used stone from these quarries to construct jetties at Westport, Washington and elsewhere.
20th century
[edit]The quarries declined in the early 20th century when many builders switched to concrete.<ref name="ASSOS">Template:Cite news</ref> Logging, saw mills, and coal mining remained as well established industries in the area.<ref name="FSATT"/> However, as the timber played out and railroads switched to diesel in the mid-20th century, these industries also declined.Template:Citation needed
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, before the construction of Interstate 5, a notorious stretch along U.S. Route 99 through Tenino gained a reputation as the "Speed Trap of the West".<ref name="FSATT"/> Many motorists considered it a speed trap because of the strict enforcement by police of the abruptly reduced speed limit through town.<ref>Guy Reed Ramsey, Postmarked Washington: Thurston County. Thurston Co Historic Commission, 1988, 53.</ref>
Since the mid-1970s, the US Army has used a geographical map of Tenino as a training aid in map reading, because of the variety of symbols represented on the map.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
21st century
[edit]While Tenino retains its historic downtown, now a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the town serves largely as a "bedroom community", many of its citizens commuting by car to larger cities such as Olympia and Tacoma for work.Template:Citation needed
Protests were held in the city in 2023 to voice opposition to the creation of a state contracted transitional facility for sex offenders that would have been located next to Tenino's City Park. The facility operator cancelled the project after a few weeks of objections from the community. Due to the dissent, several bills were proposed in the state legislature that would add stricter requirements and better communication policies regarding sex offender housing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="TPHR">Template:Cite news</ref>
A sesquicentennial jubilee celebrating Tenino's 150 years as a recognized community was held in July 2023. The day-long event hosted a parade and vendor markets, with the highlight of a "birthday card" written in chalk by artists on a closed intersection in the city. The city's U.S. House of Representative at the time, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, bestowed Tenino with a Congressional Record copy of a floor speech she gave honoring the community and its achievement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In December, a bill was introduced at the state legislature that would declare Tenino sandstone as the state rock.<ref name="RPAPL"/>
Wooden money
[edit]
Tenino briefly achieved national notoriety during the Great Depression of the 1930s. After the local bank failed in 1931, the town government temporarily issued wooden money scrip, made of thin-cut cedar and spruce, and was used by Tenino's residents when cash was scarce.<ref name="ASSOS"/><ref name="TWM">Template:Cite web</ref> However, most of this wooden currency was never redeemed as it became a valuable collector's item.<ref>Arthur Dwelley, "Brief History of Tenino" Accessed online at Template:Cite web January 20, 2010.</ref> The Tenino Depot Museum continues to use the original printing machinery, creating new wooden tender for souvenir purposes, but the dollars can still be used at some Tenino businesses.<ref name="ASSOS"/>
The city began printing the wooden currency again during the COVID-19 recession in 2020, to distribute to the local residents.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The revival of the program was approved by the Washington State Auditor and began in May 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="AWCT">Template:Cite news</ref>
Wooden scrip from both the Great Depression and Covid periods were added to a Smithsonian National Museum of American History exhibit, titled "The Value of Money", in 2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, all of it land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]As of the 2010 census,<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> there were 1,695 people, 691 households, and 440 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 740 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.
There were 691 households, of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.3% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.
The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 census, there were 1,447 people, 575 households, and 396 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 615 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 90.53% White, 0.83% African American, 1.17% Native American, 3.11% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.80% of the population.
There were 575 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,526, and the median income for a family was $41,208. Males had a median income of $31,058 versus $25,972 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,244. About 5.0% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
[edit]One of Tenino's main economic outputs is agriculture, particularly livestock for consumption. After the loss of a meat processing plant within the region, the city and county began plans to develop a more encompassing business park to help the local economy. Given the moniker, Southwest Washington Agricultural Business & Innovation Park, construction began in 2023 with plans to contain a slaughterhouse, food processing, an event center, and buildings to house small businesses. Funding of $1.25 million from the state legislature was secured for future phases of construction with an additional $4.4 million proposed at the federal level.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Education
[edit]One of the first schools constructed in the county, after the formation of the Washington Territory, was erected approximately in 1862 at was then referred to as the Coal Bank Precinct. The school operated in its first year with a $78 budget and pupils included both settler and indigenous children. A district split around 1878 led to the build of a schoolhouse near an oak tree at present-day Tenino City Park. The new school expanded twice in 1890 and 1908 after population increases in the community and by 1909, high school studies were introduced up to 9th grade; high school student enrollment was 14. A gymnasium and larger building were added in 1917. A high school was completed in 1924, with a gym added the following year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Arts and culture
[edit]Festivals and events
[edit]Inspired by a mayoral proclamation in 1968 for Tenino to honor pioneer history and culture, the city began holding an annual weekend "Oregon Trail Days" festival. The original directive asked the gentlemen of the community not to shave but men could opt out by purchasing a "beardless permit" for $2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Demonstrations of logging, blacksmithing, railroad work, and pioneer home life often highlight the event. "Black powder shoots", historical exhibits, live music, cuisine, vintage car shows, and a parade round out the celebration. Several other organizations, such as the local farmer's market and rock-and-gem shows, will often hold events concurrently throughout the city.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Tenino Farmers Market is held annually between early May and the end September. It is part of the Washington State Farmers Market Association and holds special market events for Mother's Day and Father's Day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Historic buildings and sites
[edit]In 2020, Tenino created the "Tenino Creative Arts District" by certification thru the Washington state Arts Commission. The area, designated as including the historic downtown, business district, and the entirety of Tenino City Park, is projected to include public art of various mediums, including murals and metal banners and signs depicting Tenino's history. A scavenger hunt is to be based on the artworks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The banners, 23 in total, were added to light poles in the downtown district in October 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
De Beers heiress, Rebecca L. Oppenheimer, built a luxury home Merkaba near Tenino. In 2023, it was sold for $2.3M to former child actor, Scott Strader.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Theater
[edit]A non-profit theater group, known as the Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre (TYT), was formed in 1990 and produces live performances at various locations throughout the city. The TYT purchased land, with help from an anonymous donor, near the high school in 2021 with plans to build a performing arts center.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Tourism
[edit]The city is home to the Tenino Sandstone Walking tour which honors the community's sandstone past. Local stone carver shops, and the sculptures they produce, are the main attraction of the tour. Tenino provides options for visitors to tour the city, or travel on the Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail, be means of the Yellow Bike project, a bicycle-sharing system started by the city in 2001.<ref name="ASSOS"/>
Parks and recreation
[edit]Template:See also The largest park in the community is Tenino City Park. Listed at Template:Convert, the park sits south of the center of town, with the Yelm–Rainier-Tenino Trail crossing through the area. The park contains the Tenino Stone Quarry community pool, the renovated Quarry House,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the Tenino Depot Museum, along with various ballfields and picnic areas.<ref name="TTEPB">Template:Cite news</ref> The grounds were expanded by Template:Convert during a 2011 "Save Our Park" movement to save land and trails existing behind the park footprint from being logged.<ref name="TTEPB"/>
A supplemental appropriation of over $500,000 was awarded to the city in 2022 for the rebuild of the Tenino City Park's playground after damage from a winter storm the prior year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The new play area, named Maytown Community Playground, was opened in 2023.<ref name="TPHR"/> An additional improvement that year to the park was the installation of three pump tracks of various difficulty levels. The tracks were built using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The grounds were expanded once again in 2024 with the addition of an adjacent Template:Convert woodland parcel using funds donated from a conservancy foundation.<ref name="TTEPB"/>
Tenino is home to Wolf Haven International, and Template:As of, the only wolf sanctuary in the world accredited with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The South Sound Speedway, a Figure 8 racetrack, is immediately southwest of the downtown area.
Historic buildings and structures
[edit]There are 26 historic sites in or near Tenino. Following are some of those properties.<ref>(2005) "Archaeological and historic resources," Thurston County Comprehensive Plan. Retrieved October 18, 2010.</ref><ref>"Thurston County Historical Register", Thurston County, Washington. Retrieved October 18, 2010.</ref>
| Name | Image | Address | Built in | NRHP? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenino Downtown Historic District | File:Tenino, WA - Campbell & Campbell Building 01.jpg | Two blocks long, one-half block-deep on either side of Sussex Street; approximately three acres in size. | June 25, 2004 | Sussex Street is the main thoroughfare of the community and is also part of State Route 507. | |
| Tenino Depot | File:Tenino, WA - Tenino Depot 01.jpg | Tenino City Park | December 27, 1974 | The Tenino Depot, now a museum, was moved from its original site to the Tenino City Park near the Tenino Stone Company Quarry. At the time the Depot was moved, the area of relocation was examined to ensure that no archaeological remains significant to the operation of the quarry would be destroyed or altered. | |
| Hercules Sandstone Company Office | File:Tenino, WA - City Hall 02.jpg | Originally located near the Hercules Sandstone Company Quarry west of Tenino, In 1922, each stone of the building was numbered, moved separately, and reassembled at it current site at the corner of Sussex and Hodgen. It is currently Tenino's City Hall. | |||
| Tenino Stone Company Quarry | 2712 Huston Street | 1891 | July 28, 1983 | Located in the Tenino City Park, the quarry is now the Memorial Swimming Pool. | |
| Ticknor School | 3212 SE Skookumchuck Road now at 399 Park Avenue West | 1934 | May 10, 1990 | Now located in the Tenino City Park, the school was moved from it original location in unincorporated Thurston County to the Tenino City Park next to the Tenino Depot in 2002. | |
| Ticknor Barn | 6710 Skookumchuck Road | 1860 | |||
| Colvin Farmstead (Colvin House) | 16828 Old Highway 99 | 1877 | June 23, 1988 | ||
| Hercules#2/Eureka Quarry | 4220 SE Old Military Road | 1891 | |||
| Taylor Farm | 2400 SE 180th Avenue | 1902 | |||
| Morgan Davies Barn | S Skookumchuck Road of the junction with Johnson Creek | 1910 | |||
| Engstrom House/Weber House | 3741 SW 143rd Ave | 1910 | |||
| Violet Prairie Grange | 17104 SE Violet Prairie Road | 1935 | |||
| Ada's Resort | 4005 SE 120th Avenue | 1939 | |||
| Linklater Ranch | 13911 Military Road Southeast | ||||
| Bronson Resort | 4122 SE 119th Avenue | 1915 | Located on Offut Lake | ||
| Offut Lake Resort | 4005 SE 120th Avenue | 1939 |
Media
[edit]Tenino once had a local newspaper called the Independent.<ref name="FSATT"/> The independent movie, The Mountain, with Jeff Goldblum, was partially filmed in Tenino.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Infrastructure
[edit]Tenino is situated along the old route of Highway 99 which bisected the town. The community's fortunes and growth waned, with traffic being diverted away from Tenino after the construction of Interstate 5 in the 1950s and 1960s.<ref name="FSATT"/>
Into the 2000s, Tenino was bereft of a local sewer system with most residences and businesses relying on septic. A master plan for a centralized system, including a waste treatment facility, was introduced by the town council in 2002.<ref name="FSATT"/>
The community is served by ruralTRANSIT, a free bus service provided by the Thurston Regional Planning Council. The transportation system into South Thurston County has been in place since the mid-2000s and provides access to other transit operations, including Intercity Transit and Lewis County Transit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>