Yakima County and CityYakima County and City
History-The Yakama Indians
The Yakama Indians (previously known as Yakima Indians) were the first people known to live in the Yakima Valley. Their home and hunting grounds were along the Columbia and Yakima Rivers. They fished for salmon, hunted game, and gathered roots, nuts and berries. They also excelled in crafts, like basket making.
In the 1700's Europeans first arrived in the region. Lewis and Clark led the first American expedition to the area in 1805. Their reports of abundant game and fertile land brought fur trappers and homesteaders to the Northwest. As more settlers arrived, problems between the Native tribes and the immigrants led to the Yakama Indian Wars which erupted in 1855. The United States Cavalry fought military campaigns against the tribes that resulted in the Yakama Indians being placed on a reservation south ofYakima.
The city of Yakima was incorportated in 1886.
Yakima County is an agricultural region that specializes in growing fruit. Washington State is known as the apple capital of the world and our region produces more apples than any other place in Washington. We also grow cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, pears, plums, and prunes.
Yakima Valley is also a grape-growing region that produces a lot of grape products, including wine. Washington state ranks second in the nation in wine production.
Yakima is located in Central Washington and serves as the Yakima County seat. Yakima is the largest city in the county and the9th largest city in Washington state. It covers over 19 square miles. The Yakima Valley is recognized as a leading agricultural center, largely due to fruit production. The city is 145 miles southeast of Seattle and 200 miles southwest of Spokane. Yakima has good air, highway and rail access--it functions as the main business and commercial hub for Central Washington.
The population for the city of Yakima is 63,510 (as of 4/97) and Yakima County's population is 207,600.
Yakima Valley is classified as a semi-arid desert and gets approximately 8 inches of rain a year with an additional 25 inches of snow. Irrigation, however has transformed the land that originally supported little more than sage brush and grasses into lush, green orchards, vineyards, and pastures. (View monthly climate statistics.)
The Yakima City Council consists of 7 members, elected by district. The mayor is selected by the City Council from its members. The County Commisioners are elected by city, rural and suburban voters. Yakima's City Attorney, Engineer, Clerk and Police Chief are appointed by the City Manager.
The County Public Works Department is responsible for the construction and maintenance of 1,735 miles of roadways plus bridges, traffic signs and signals.
One of the largest problems facing Yakima city is crime. Yakima is ranked with New York City and Los Angelos in crime rate. Yakima County spends 75% of its General Fund budget on law and justice. The full-time personnel in the City Police Department number 147 for uniform, office support, record keeping and dispach service.
The Yakima area hosts two semi-professional sports teams: the Sunkings, a Continental Basketball Association team, and the Yakima Bears, a baseball farm team for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Youth can participate in numerous organized sports and activities, including Little League baseball, Gridkids football, AAU basketball, AAU volleyball, numerous soccer leagues, and a wide variety of school sponsored sports.
Adults have many fitness and sports opportunities, such as tennis, raccetball, a large YMCA, municipal swimming pools, and golf, including a Tour-rated course, The Apple Tree.
To find out much more visit the Yakima Valley Sports Commission.
Every September the fairgrounds feature a rodeo, agricultural and crafts exhibits, games, and carnival rides. This week-long event draws crowds from around the state.
The Yakima River flows along the edge of both Selah and Yakima. This river system supports a large fish population and drains into the Columbia River, Washington's largest river. Snowmelt in the mountains flows into many rivers, including the Yakima.
The Yakima River Canyon just north of Selah is a great place for camping, fishing, rafting, rockhounding, and bird watching. The Cascade Mountains are less than 50 miles to the west of Selah and offer hundreds of square miles for camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, and snow skiing.
Located a few miles east of Selah, the Yakima Firing Center is one of the world's largest military training centers containing over 260,000 acres. It has expanded enormously since March 15, 1942 when it originally began with 120 acres leased from the Hester family. Today the highest ranking officer at the Firing Center is a Lieutenant Colonel.
The mission of the Firing Center is to train future fighting forces to use weapons, from small arms to 1,000 pound bombs. Soldiers come from all over the world to train there. Their motto is "Training Tomorrow's Forces." The government spends $5 million on this military training center each year.
The museum contains an exhibit honoring Yakima native Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas. It features pioneer-era carriages, coaches, wagons, and blacksmith tools. Dinosaur fossils, gem stones, and minerals are on display. Native American crafts and artifacts are also exhibited.
Along with numerous community parks, Yakima has the unique Greenway. The Greenway is a long strip of land that borders the Yakima river and is preserved for nature and the public. Every year many different festivals are held at the Greenway. It brings the community together. At one end of the Greenway there is a large garden and Arboretum with a pavillion, flowers, huge water fountain, and pond. Young trees have been planted throughout the Arboretum area.
This beautiful historical theater has been restored and is the home for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and the Yakima Symphony Chorus. Many other music, theather, and dance performances are held here every year.
YVC serves about 1,500 students with 310 teachers. YVC teaches many things like dental assisting, nursing, pre-engineering, computer studies, and much more.
