Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Population: 86,638
Area: 1,265 square miles
County Seat: Pasco
OVERVIEW
Franklin County is located in the picturesque part of Eastern Washington. The territory of the county is 1,265 square miles and the population is 86,638. The county was established in 1883 and was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin County borders with Adams County to the north, Whitman County to the east, Walla Walla County and Columbia County to the southeast, Benton County to the southwest and Grant County to the northwest.
The largest city and its’ county seat is Pasco.
HISTORY
Native American tribes that lived on this territory hunted game and fished for salmon on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Historians say that these tribes most likely traded with the first white people who came here. The fertile soil is one of the most important features of the county.
First white settlers were prospectors who travelled through this county to British Columbia during the gold rush times. Some of them decided to settle here, raised sheep and grew fruit trees. But the first permanent settlements grew around the railroad stations.
The construction of Grand Coulee Dam led to the improvement of irrigation of the territories, which resulted in the growth of towns on this territory. Agricultural industry still remains a major industry of the county.
COUNTY SEAT
The County Seat of Franklin County is the city of Pasco. It is considered to be a part of the Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area that includes Pasco, Kennewick and Richland. The population of this middle-sized metropolitan area is about 265 thousand people. Agriculture is the main industry in the economy of Pasco. Several large food processing companies have their offices in Pasco. Lately, wine industry has become popular and profitable in the region.
The Tri-Cities metropolitan area is famous for its’ recreational opportunities, as well as Pasco has wonderful opportunities for sightseeing. There are several waterfront parks along the Columbia River, numerous opportunities for boating, fishing, water-skiing, etc.
Pasco is also located not far from Sacajawea State Park with a well-known Sacajawea Heritage Trail. It is a recreational and at the same time educational hiking loop trail that encircles the Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area.
ATTRACTIONS
Franklin County Historical Museum
Franklin County Historical Museum tells you everything about the life and spirit of Franklin County in the early 1900s. Here visitors will enjoy wonderful and colorful displays that describe the life of people. Among the displays there are those with Native American artifacts, with artifacts from everyday life of early settlers, different equipment. There are also displays that are dedicated to Lewis and Clark Expedition.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
The McNary National Wildlife Refuge can be found on the east bank of the Columbia River. The main goal of the refuge is to protect rare and endangered birds and the territories along the shoreline of the Columbia River. Some territories of the McNary National Wildlife Refuge are planted with crops.
Three Rivers Children's Museum
If you travel with kids, this museum is a must-visit place. The tree Rivers Children’s Museum is located in Pasco and has wonderful educational exhibits for kids. The displays will be very interested for kids, because they are interactive and some of them even include a stage, a kitchen, a tree house, etc.
Sacajawea State Park
Sacajawea State Park is a 284-acre park at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers. Visitors will enjoy wonderful views of the two rivers that flow together. This park offers great opportunities for picnic and recreation and in the Sacajawea Interpretive Center visitors will learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The story that visitors hear in this center was told by Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian lady who accompanied the expedition.
The park also features 1.2 miles of hiking trails, 200 feet of dock, boat ramps, and opportunities for fishing, swimming and water skiing.
Palouse Falls State Park
Palouse Falls State Park is a 105-acre park, which is perfect for camping and has unique history and geology. The main attraction in the park is beautiful waterfalls – Palouse Falls. The height of the falls is 198 feet; the best time to visit this park and the waterfalls is spring and summer.
The park features 0.5 miles of hiking trails, one picnic shelter, a lot of picnic tables. According to Indian stories, the falls were called Aput Aput, which means “the falling water”.
Information: Marina Petrova
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