882
WEST SHORE.
FARMINGTON, WASHINGTON.
Farmington, Washington, was platted in the fall of 1878, by
G. W. Truax, a pioneer in that section. There were few set
tiers then in the adjacent country and no immediate prospect
of railroad communication, but the configuration of the coun
try argued so strongly the importance of the Upper Pine creek
valley as a good location for a trading post that it was deemed
a wise move to plat the town. The region was unsurpassed
in richness, and the trend of the hills and valleys made Farm
ington the most convenient trading point the settlers could
have. In 1888 the town was incorporated under a law that was
afterward declared of no force, and re-incorporated the past
spring. Its population numbers about GOO, and it is in every
respect a flourishing young city with the most substantial agri
cultural backing.
Pine creek, which takes its rise in the mountains two or
three miles northwest of Farmington, winds through a valley
of unusual richness to Rock lake, some thirty miles to the
northwest, which is drained to the PalouRe river by Rock
creek. To the northeast of the town are the Occur d'Alene
mountains, spurs of which break the surface of the country
and throw promising mineral lodes within the reach of the
prospector, Steptoe butte, the most important land mark in the
whole Palouse country, lies fourteen miles southwest of Farm
ington. Stratton's butte is a smaller elevation a short distance
south of the city. Silver creek, Cedar creek and Deep creek
valleys to the south and southeast, and Dutch flat to the north,
are the local names given to extremely rich and beautiful tracts
of land embracing a large area all under cultivation and direct
ly tributary to the city of Farmington. The rolling hills and
valleys extend to the west indefinitely across that famous farm
ing region known as the Talouse country.
Farmington has the best public schools of any similar town
in the whole upper country. The building, equipped for work,
cost more than $10,000 Three teachers are employed and
school is maintained nine months in the year. The city has
one bank with a capital of $50,000, a weekly newspaper, two
good hotels, three churches, and there is now a good prospect
for having located there a Seventh Day Adventist college to
cost about $30,000. A donation of an ample and most attract
ive site has been made, and other inducements oflVred that
command careful consideration. The beautiful location and
healthy moral tone of the community must appeal strongly to
any one charged with the duty of selecting the site for such an
educational institution. There is the usual class of mercan
tile establishment and shops in the city. The flouring mill is
now exchanging its buhr stones for a full roller system. There
are three large warehouses and an elevator of 50,000 bushels
capacity, which are not enough to handle promptly the grain
harvested each season. A planing mill, and harness maker's,
blacksmith's and wagon maker's shops attend to their respec
tive lines of manufacturing for the community.
In the hills three or four miles east of Farmington there
have long been noticed indications of mineral wealth. Pros
pectors have done more or less work abput the ledges, but not
until a few weeks ago was any important strike made. An ex
perienced miner from the lower country became interested in
prospecting the hills near the city, and he soon struck a quarts
lead of such unusual richness that considerable excitement
was created, and people worked night and day staking off
claims. There Is no question as to the richness of the Farm
ington And. Nuggota of gold larger than beans have been
found, and the rock where the principal discovery was made is
seamed with gold and silver. The character of the rock makes
old minors confident that the output will increase in richness
with development and there is a favorable prospect for the
opening of a very important mining camp at that point. A su
perior quality of building stone is also found within two or three
miles of Farmington. It is a gray sandstone of great durabil
ity and is quarried at small expense. Granite of dark color and
fine grain, capable of taking the finest polish, is found in the
adjoining ledges and it is being sought by stone workers from
Spokane to Walla Walla. It is especially suited for monu
ments, mantels, etc. The convenience of railway transporta
tion is an important consideration in the development of the
various minerals lying in abundance about Farmington, and
the prospect of soon having a competing line connecting with
the Palouse branch of the Northern Pacific affords additional
encouragement to those who are investing in the mines and
quarries. The town is now on the main Spokane line of the
Union Pacific, which owns valuable property there. There is a
natural pass between the foothills and Stratton's butte, east to
the broad and highly cultivated valleys of Silver and Deer
creeks. From this connecting divide one obtains an extended
view of the above named valleys stretching east and south for
twenty-six miles to the Palouse river. This valuable country
in Northern Idaho would be tapped to best advantage by way
of Farmington, the country offering no obstacles in cuts or fills
wot thy of mention. The Idaho boundary is the eastern limit
of the city.
The rare beauty and general healthfulness of the country
surrounding Farmington make it a mof t charming residence
locality. The vast expanse of rolling surface covered with
grain fields, orchards and grass land presents a scene by no
means common even in the fair land of the Palouse. The un
cultivated tracts are covered with a variety of wild flowers more
than half the year. The luxuriance of both wild and tame
grasses is unexcelled anywhere. The soil is easily worked and
of remarkable fertility. The yield of wheat is from twenty-five
to forty bushels to the acre, and the other cereals, roots and
fruits produce proportionately. The complaint is sometimes
heard that Eastern Washington with her grain fields is yet not
a section of beautiful home makiog. This in no sense can be
applied to that portion of the Palouse country adjacent to Farm
ington. The scenery is beautiful, the location of the city all
the eye could desire. Orchards, broad fields of timothy ex
tending well up on the hillsides, shade trees and the preva
lence of green verdure causes one to recall familiar New En
gland localities. The pleasant home of General Tannatt, on a
slight elevation overlooking the city, is a forceful illustration of
what may be accomplished by a little attention to one's sur
roundings in this favored section. Cultivated grasseB grow lux
uriantly and find a ready market in Spokane Falls and the
mines. Bo ird of trade statistics show eighty- five cars of baled
hay shipped during the past winter. Potatoes were also
shipped in large quantity and with other vegetables are pro
duced in abundance by nearly every farmer.
The pat and present strength of trade in Farmington are
shown in the large stocks carried by her merchants, and in the
additional fact of importance that her large store buildings,
hotels and warehouses have been erected and are owned by
their occupants. The trade of the surrounding country and
that of the Cceur d'Alene Indians fully explains why Farming
ton, in her mercantile interests, presents stocks of goods that at
first sight would seem more in place if offered in a city of much
larger proportions. It must be borne in mind that the Occur
d'Alene Indians are farmers, using all the modern appliances,
such as mowers, headers, threshing machinery, etc. Between
these Indians and the people of Farmington the most friendly
relations have ever existed, and in consequence of this the