Wenatchee, WA

Yakima indians, who spoke the Sahaptin language, referred to a area at the mouth of the Tumwater where salmon were fished as Winatsha. Winatsha, meaning "water pouring north", was pronounced Wenatchi by the first white settlers to the area. White settlers used the word Wenatchi to identify the river and Native Americans who lived in the area. An Indian trader named McBribe was the first settler in the Wenatchee Valley.

Phillip Miller plants the first few apple seedlings.

The first woman arrives in Wenatchee, Mrs. Arzilla Tripp.

The Great Northern Railroad backs the Gunn Ditch project in Wenatchee Authur Gunn diverts water from the Wenatchee River to bring irrigation to about a thousand acres of land near Wenatchee. Called the Gunn Ditch project, it was financed by the Great Northern Railroad and the sale of shares of stock to prospective water users which entitled the owner to a share of the water.

The Wenatchee Development Company is organized.

In May of this year Wenatchee is platted a town. On May 1st the Columbia Valley Bank was opened. On May 27 Wenatchee was devastated by fire. On December 17 Wenatchee was incorporated.

Wenatchee has a brick schoolhouse, a business district, and a newspaper.

The city mayor is J. A. Gellatly, city clerk is S. R. Sumner, and the Great Northern railway and Columbia River steamers are the cities transportation lines. The population has reached 482.

In the fall of this year the first car-load of apples, totaling 763 boxes with 13 different varieties, was shipped from the Wenatchee Valley. Grown by Phillip Miller and shipped by Phillip Rose to the Gordan and Company of Seattle.

W.T. Clark, Marvin Chase, and associates begin construction under the name Wenatchee Canal Company, and the first water is delivered in 1903.

The Wenatchee Reclamation District is organized and takes over the Wenatchee Canal Company.

Wenatchee reaches a population of 6,324.

Wenatchee Valley College opens as a private institution on the third floor of the Wenatchee High School building on the corner of King and Idaho streets with donations from 51 local citizens.

Dr. L.M. Mares, Dr. A.G. Haug, and Dr. L.S. Smith founded the Wenatchee Valley Clinic.

Wenatchee Valley College becomes open to the public.

Built by hand-hewn stone from the Columbia River, the A.Z. Wells home is donated to Wenatchee Valley College and becomes its new home.

Wenatchee Valley Federal Credit Union is established.

The Wenatchee North Rotary club is formed on April 1st.