Cowiche, Washington | |
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  Cowiche, Washington Location of Cowiche, Washington Show map of Yakima County Cowiche, Washington Cowiche, Washington (Washington (state)) Show map of Washington (state) | |
| Coordinates:46°40′19″N120°42′43″W / 46.67194°N 120.71194°W /46.67194; -120.71194[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Yakima |
| Elevation | 1,749 ft (533 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 535 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 98923 |
| Area code | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2584963[1] |
Cowiche (pronouncedCow-witch-ee) is acensus-designated place andunincorporated community northwest ofYakima, Washington, near the eastern foothills of theCascade Mountain range, in centralWashington State (US). Cowiche, sometimes spelled Cowychee, is said to mean "footbridge between the valley and the mountains." According to the2020 census,[2] the town had a population of 535, which is an increase from 428 at2010.[3]
The first inhabitants of the area were the Tkai'waichash-hlama, a band or tribe ofNative American people who lived along Cowiche Creek. The area was settled in the late nineteenth century by farmers who relied upon crops that did not requireirrigation, such aswheat,barley,rye, and grazingcattle.Homesteading in Cowiche was difficult since fields had to be cleared ofvolcanic rock before they could be tilled and there was little rainfall in summer. In 1906, construction began on the Tieton Irrigation Project, a division of the broaderYakima Project. Irrigation water became available in 1907, and shortly thereafter, orchards began to replace wheatfields.[citation needed]
Cowiche, along with the neighboring town of Tieton, is served by the Highland School district homepage. The community takes great pride in its high school sports programs, and in 1988 their varsity men's basketball team won the Washington State A division championship. The boys soccer team also won the state championship in 2006, 2007 and 2015.[citation needed]
Most people in the area are involved in agriculture. Cowiche, like much of the Yakima Valley, is known for itsapple crops.
Municipalities and communities ofYakima County, Washington,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |