RESOLUTION 2004 – 22

(Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Creation of Skamania County)

 

WHEREAS, on March 9, 1854, one hundred and fifty years ago, the Washington Territorial Government created the County of Skamania, spanning from present day Clark County to the Rocky Mountains in present day Montana; and

 

WHEREAS, the county seat was located on the southwest corner of the land claim of J.A. Chenowith, who, in the summer of 1854, was appointed Associate Justice of the Washington Territorial Supreme Court; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County’s officers were first appointed on March 23, 1854; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County now encompasses 1672 square miles and includes the Columbia River Gorge in the south, Mt. St. Helens in the west, and the base of Mt. Adams in the East; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County, rich in Native American history, has been home to the Cascade Chinook Indians for more than 10,000 years; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County experienced unique geological events including the Cascade Landslide and the Missoula Floods, long before the creation of the County, and the recorded eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1842 and 1980; and

 

WHEREAS, the 1805-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition, the first recorded explorations of these lands, traversed Skamania County, helping to open up the west to settlement and development; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County was part of the water route for the Oregon Trail, and once had a portage railroad to help settlers circumvent the treacherous Cascade Rapids; and

 

WHEREAS, the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railroad completed its route through the Cascade Mountains on March 11, 1908, at a Golden Spike Ceremony connecting the eastern United States with the Pacific Northwest; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County’s world-class scenic beauty, and majestic forests, mountains, rivers and streams bring thousands of visitors to the County each year to recreate and enjoy its land and scenery; and

 

WHEREAS, the fishing and timber industries have long been an essential part of Skamania County’s economy and history;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Skamania County Board of Commissioners to commemorate Skamania County’s 150th year of existence; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board honors all former and present citizens of Skamania County and congratulates them on the fine legacy they created for now and for the future.

 

PASSED IN REGULAR SESSION this 12th day of April 2004.

 

                                                                                    BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 

                                                                                    SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON