Inland Empire - Central Washington

INLAND EMPIRE
Central Washington
February 16 - 17, 2015

Central Washington

The area that encompasses the Columbia River basin bounded by the Cascade Mountains on the west and the Rocky Mountains on the east, the Blue Mountains and Wallowa Mountains to the south-southeast is known as the Inland Empire. Between these mountain ranges are large, sweeping areas of semi-arid steppe, part of which has been irrigated due to the Columbia Basin Project, resulting in expansive farmland in central Washington.

Ritzville, WA:

Surrounded by rolling wheat fields, Ritzville (population 1,700) is located in eastern-central Washington at an elevation of 1,880 feet. It was named after Philip Ritz, who settled in the area in 1878. After the completion of the Northern Pacific Railway in the 1880s, the town became a major wheat shipping point. In 1901, Ritzville received the title of the greatest wheat shipping point in the world.  Like many small towns, the downtown economy of Ritzville was negatively impacted by the interstate highway system. In the 1960s Interstate 90 was constructed to the south of town, replacing US Highway 10 and re-routing US Highway 395 away from downtown. On the plus side, the arrested development resulting from the interstate highway by-pass helped contribute to its charm and the creation of the the Ritzville Historic District in 1990.

Moses Lake, WA:
Moses Lake (elevation 1,100 feet) is part of the Columbia River basin. This 6,800 acre lake/reservoir receives water from Crab Creek, as well as from irrigated agricultural runoff. Moses Lake empties into Potholes Reservoir, which feeds irrigation canals to the south, and Lower Crab Creek, which runs from Potholes Reservoir to the Columbia River. The city of Moses Lake has a population of 20,000.

Chief Moses:
Moses Lake was named after Chief Moses (born Kwiltalahun, later called Sulk-stalk-scosum - "The Sun Chief"; 1829–1899) a Native American chief of the Sinkiuse-Columbia. While attending the Presbyterian Mission in Lapwai, Idaho, he was given the Christian name "Moses" which he went by the the rest of his life despite never becoming a Christian. In 1878, a white couple was murdered near Rattlesnake Springs by renegade Bannock and Paiute tribesmen. The military blamed the incident on Chief Moses. He was captured near present-day O'Sullivan Dam and stood trial in Yakima, where he was acquitted.  The next year, Chief Moses made his first trip to Washington, DC, and met with President Rutherford Hayes. It was reported that Chief Moses told the President, "you want this godforsaken land, fine."

Ellensburg, WA:
Ellensburg (population 18,400) is located just east of the Cascade Range at an elevation of 1,500 feet. The surrounding Kittitas Valley is internationally known for the timothy-hay that it produces. Mary and I had a delicious lunch at the Ellensburg Pasta Company.

Photographs:

Photographs below are the property of Leon Jackson. These photos are protected by copyright laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Leon Jackson. © 2015 Leon Jackson. All Rights Reserved.

- Click On Photos For A Larger Image -

Flour Power
Wheat is the key to Ritzville's economy. Built in 1906, this facility was a flour mill until 1947, and later on used for wheat storage.
[Flickr]

Puttin' On The Ritz

The sign for the eleven room Top Hat Motel along old US Highway 10 in Ritzville reminded me of the song "Puttin' On the Ritz" written by Irving Berlin in 1927. The title is derived from the slang expression meaning to dress very fashionably. The expression was inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel in London. 
[Flickr]

Ritz Theater
Located on Main Street in Ritzville, Washington, the 400-seat Ritz Theater opened in 1937.  This Streamline Moderne or Art Moderne (late types of Art Deco architecture) building was designed by Bjarne Moe. He also designed eleven theaters in Seattle, Bremerton, Ellensburg, Spokane, Tekoa, Kellogg, St. Maries and Ontario, Oregon.  Currently, the one-screen Ritz has a seating capacity of 250.
[Flickr]

Out-of-Business
The now-closed Whisperin' Palms restaurant is located on Main Street in the Ritzville, Washington Historic District. The building is not considered a contributing property within the historic district.
[Flickr]

Ruins
This cast-aside service station is located in Ritzville, Washington.  In the 1960s, Interstate 90 was constructed to the south of town, replacing US Highway 10 and re-routing US Highway 395 away from downtown. 
[Flickr]

[Flickr]

Sunset at Moses Lake
Evening twilight mixes with the artificial light from a Conoco gas station along Interstate 90 in Moses Lake, Washington.
[Flickr]

Restored Service Station
This Mobil service station, built in 1936, is located in Ellensburg Washington. It was restored by Bruce Crossett, and named after him. A cannabis store now occupies the service station office.
[Flickr]