Ferry County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 Ferry County Rail Trail trestle at Curlew Lake | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
 Washington's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:48°28′N118°31′W / 48.47°N 118.51°W /48.47; -118.51 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | February 21, 1899 |
| Named after | Elisha P. Ferry |
| Seat | Republic |
| Largest city | Republic |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,257 sq mi (5,850 km2) |
| • Land | 2,203 sq mi (5,710 km2) |
| • Water | 54 sq mi (140 km2) 2.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,178 |
• Estimate (2024) | 7,543 |
| • Density | 3.5/sq mi (1.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
Ferry County is acounty located on the northern border of theU.S. state ofWashington. As of the2020 census, the population was 7,178,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Washington.[2] Thecounty seat and largest city isRepublic.[3] The county was created out ofStevens County in February 1899[4] and is named forElisha P. Ferry, the state's firstgovernor.[5]
The county was first slated by the state government to be named "Eureka County", but was revised while the bill was in discussion to "Ferry County" in recognition of the Territory's last governor and the State's first governor,Elisha P. Ferry. The change is suggested to have happened as a bookend to the naming ofStevens County, named for the first governor ofWashington Territory.[6]
The Territorial Legislature of Washington Territory first carved Stevens County from Walla Walla County in 1863 to encompass all the land from the Columbia River west to the Cascades and north of the Wenatchee River.[7] On January 20, 1864, the original territorial Spokane County was dissolved and merged with the unorganized Stevens County.[8] On February 2, 1888 the western expanse of territorial Stevens County was sectioned off by dividing the county in half along theOkanogan Highlands crest. Eleven years later, on February 18, 1899, the western section of Stevens County was again sectioned off, this time along the Columbia, to form Ferry County.[6]
The town ofRepublic is the county's seat of government, as well as the largest town. It was founded at the end of the nineteenth century by gold prospectors and was incorporated in 1900. The original election precinct of Republic was created on April 6, 1898.[9] Following the 1922 primary elections, a group of citizens called for an investigation into possible election irregularities. The group claimed that two of that years voting precincts had been formed unlawfully in conjunction with misconduct in six precincts by election officers and the canvassing board. As a result of the actions, the validity of two candidates were called in question. Demands were made that Thomas F. Barker, seeking re-election as sheriff, and John W. McCool, seeking the County Treasurer seat, be barred from the ballot. Barker was notably facing charges at the federal level at that time from allegations of conspiring and abettingbootleggers.[10]
During theGreat Depression severalCivilian Conservation Corps camps were opened in the County, withCamp Growden on Sherman Creek, between Sherman Pass and Kettle Falls being the largest and longest running. The Camp was open between 1934 and 1941, while smaller and "spike" camps were seasonally staffed on Boulder Pass, in Republic, near Quartz Mountain, and aroundMount Bonaparte to the west.[11]
The original county courthouse, made of wood, burned in 1934. Its replacement, made of concrete and stucco, was under consideration beginning in 2018 for historical preservation.[12]
On August 13, 2001, a series of major wildfires and complexes were ignited by regional lightning storms passing over eastern Washington.[13] Among them was theMount Leona Fire which burned for several weeks and encompassed over 6,000 acres in the central Kettle River range northeast ofCurlew Lake.[14]
Ferry County is bordered on the north by theKootenay Boundary Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, along the 49th parallel; to the west byOkanogan County along the boundary between ranges 31 and 32 east; to the south byLincoln County in the midline of theColumbia River; and on the east byStevens County, again along the Columbia River and thenKettle River midlines.[15] According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,257 square miles (5,850 km2), of which 2,203 square miles (5,710 km2) is land and 54 square miles (140 km2) (2.4%) is water.[16] Most of Ferry County is covered by the ruggedKettle River Range, which extends from theCanada–US border to its southernmost perimeter bounded by the Columbia River andRoosevelt Lake. Only a narrow north–south strip running the length of the county on the west between theSanpoil River and theOkanogan County line encompasses part of theOkanogan Highland. Except for the town of Republic, the county is sparsely populated.
The county has three major river systems, with the impoundedColumbia Rivers Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake forming the southern and most of the eastern county boundary. Along the northern border, the Kettle River drops south into the county near theMidway, British Columbia border crossing, before turning north again atCurlew to cross into Canada at theDanville border crossing. It swings south again on the eastern side of the Kettle River Range and passes into the US just east of theLauier border crossing and is the northern section of the Ferry-Stevens county Border before joining with the Columbia River north ofBarney's Junction. The southern and south central part of the county from just south ofCurlew Lake is all drained by the south flowing Sanpoil River, which joins Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake at the southern tip of the county south ofKeller. Southwest of Republic in the eastern edge of the Okanogan highlands is a group of four recreational lakes, Swan Lake, Ferry Lake, Fish Lake, and Long Lake inColville National Forest land, while theLake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is accessible on the eastern edges of the county.
The highest peaks in the county are located along the crest of the Kettle River Range and are part of either the Colville National Forest or the Colville Indian Reservation.Washington State Route 20 crosses over the Kettle River Range along the southern shoulder of Sherman Peak atSherman Pass, which at 5,575 feet (1,699 m) is highest mountain pass open all year in the state.Boulder-Deer Creek Pass is a paved two-lane county road and one of several critical secondary roads that provide access into and out of Ferry County.[17] Its eastern terminus is withU.S. Route 395 south ofOrient, while the western end forms a junction withState Route 21 at Curlew, and the western continuation of the road is labeled as the West Kettle River Road.[18] Boulder Creek Road is one of three passes crossing the Kettle River Range, and the northern most. In the southern Kettle River Range isBridge Creek Pass betweenHighway 21 andInchelium.[17][18] The road starts at approximately 1,800 ft (550 m) at Curlew and climbs up to an crest of 4,600 ft (1,400 m) and then drops back down to about 1.400 ft (0.427 m) at Highway 395.[17]
Crossing the county east to west is thePacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which enters the county along the Boulder pass highway, turns south along theKettle Crest National Recreation Trail and turns west again along the 13 mile trail.
Ferry County reaches toCanada on the north, and to theColumbia River on the east. Its southern portion is in the boundary of theColville Indian Reservation, controlled by the Colville Confederated Tribes, and its northern portion is largely occupied byColville National Forest. As a result, only eighteen percent of the total county area is taxable-use ground.[12] The county's economy is largely based on timber-extraction, and mining.
Ferry County's topography and climate make it an ideal recreation destination, so tourism has become a significant portion of the county's economy. Washington State Highway 20, designated a National Scenic Highway, crosses the county east–west, and has the state's highest navigable pass (5,575 feet above sea level).
The county seat, Republic, is the site of theStonerose Interpretive Center and Fossil Site, which exhibits and explains Eocene-era fossils from an ancient lake bed north of Republic.[12]Anderson's Grocery is the main grocery of northern Ferry County, having been in operation since 1900, and never burning down.[19]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 4,562 | — | |
| 1910 | 4,800 | 5.2% | |
| 1920 | 5,143 | 7.1% | |
| 1930 | 4,292 | −16.5% | |
| 1940 | 4,701 | 9.5% | |
| 1950 | 4,096 | −12.9% | |
| 1960 | 3,889 | −5.1% | |
| 1970 | 3,655 | −6.0% | |
| 1980 | 5,811 | 59.0% | |
| 1990 | 6,295 | 8.3% | |
| 2000 | 7,260 | 15.3% | |
| 2010 | 7,551 | 4.0% | |
| 2020 | 7,178 | −4.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 7,543 | [20] | 5.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[21] 1790–1960[22] 1900–1990[23] 1990–2000[24] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2010 census, there were 7,551 people, 3,190 households, and 2,070 families living in the county.[25] The population density was 3.4 inhabitants per square mile (1.3/km2). There were 4,403 housing units at an average density of 2.0 per square mile (0.77/km2).[26] The racial makeup of the county was 76.3% white, 16.7% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.2% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population.[25] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% wereGerman, 18.0% wereEnglish, 12.3% wereIrish, and 3.7% wereAmerican.[27]
Of the 3,190 households, 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.1% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 47.3 years.[25]
The median income for a household in the county was $35,485 and the median income for a family was $43,576. Males had a median income of $41,755 versus $30,972 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,021. About 13.6% of families and 20.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[28]
As of the2000 census, there were 7,260 people, 2,823 households, and 1,987 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 3 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2). There were 3,775 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.48%White, 0.21%Black orAfrican American, 18.28%Native American, 0.29%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 2.23% fromother races, and 3.46% from two or more races. 2.82% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 14.1% were ofGerman, 9.5%United States or American, 9.1%Irish, and 7.6%English ancestry. 96.7% spokeEnglish and 1.9%Spanish as their first language.
There were 2,823 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% weremarried couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 29.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 107.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,388, and the median income for a family was $35,691. Males had a median income of $32,103 versus $23,371 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,019. About 13.30% of families and 19.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.[29]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 423 | 33.25% | 830 | 65.25% | 19 | 1.49% |
| 1904 | 511 | 54.89% | 297 | 31.90% | 123 | 13.21% |
| 1908 | 467 | 47.17% | 393 | 39.70% | 130 | 13.13% |
| 1912 | 286 | 16.94% | 609 | 36.08% | 793 | 46.98% |
| 1916 | 581 | 33.72% | 913 | 52.99% | 229 | 13.29% |
| 1920 | 592 | 43.56% | 505 | 37.16% | 262 | 19.28% |
| 1924 | 507 | 34.49% | 349 | 23.74% | 614 | 41.77% |
| 1928 | 640 | 45.75% | 732 | 52.32% | 27 | 1.93% |
| 1932 | 322 | 22.28% | 1,035 | 71.63% | 88 | 6.09% |
| 1936 | 320 | 21.11% | 1,130 | 74.54% | 66 | 4.35% |
| 1940 | 590 | 31.91% | 1,247 | 67.44% | 12 | 0.65% |
| 1944 | 518 | 39.39% | 792 | 60.23% | 5 | 0.38% |
| 1948 | 473 | 35.30% | 824 | 61.49% | 43 | 3.21% |
| 1952 | 687 | 47.38% | 754 | 52.00% | 9 | 0.62% |
| 1956 | 662 | 44.34% | 830 | 55.59% | 1 | 0.07% |
| 1960 | 623 | 40.30% | 921 | 59.57% | 2 | 0.13% |
| 1964 | 526 | 36.05% | 931 | 63.81% | 2 | 0.14% |
| 1968 | 608 | 43.84% | 596 | 42.97% | 183 | 13.19% |
| 1972 | 815 | 53.37% | 560 | 36.67% | 152 | 9.95% |
| 1976 | 776 | 45.86% | 814 | 48.11% | 102 | 6.03% |
| 1980 | 1,108 | 52.76% | 802 | 38.19% | 190 | 9.05% |
| 1984 | 1,232 | 55.75% | 935 | 42.31% | 43 | 1.95% |
| 1988 | 972 | 48.10% | 972 | 48.10% | 77 | 3.81% |
| 1992 | 773 | 30.23% | 963 | 37.66% | 821 | 32.11% |
| 1996 | 1,091 | 38.73% | 1,197 | 42.49% | 529 | 18.78% |
| 2000 | 1,896 | 62.41% | 932 | 30.68% | 210 | 6.91% |
| 2004 | 2,019 | 60.38% | 1,201 | 35.92% | 124 | 3.71% |
| 2008 | 1,916 | 54.19% | 1,467 | 41.49% | 153 | 4.33% |
| 2012 | 1,995 | 57.20% | 1,294 | 37.10% | 199 | 5.71% |
| 2016 | 2,202 | 60.43% | 1,098 | 30.13% | 344 | 9.44% |
| 2020 | 2,771 | 63.45% | 1,486 | 34.03% | 110 | 2.52% |
| 2024 | 2,667 | 64.75% | 1,315 | 31.93% | 137 | 3.33% |
County-wide law enforcement is provided by the Ferry County Sheriff Office which is headquartered in Republic. Henry Waisman was the county's first sheriff, appointed by the county commissioners following the county's 1899 organization, with a mandate to serve until the first general election in 1900. The county's first elected sheriff was A.E. Stewart.[32] The sheriff in 2016 was Ray Maycumber.[33] The first woman to sit on a Ferry County jury was Lizzie R. McCourt who was seated on June 25, 1914 for Superior court proceedings.[34]
Places adjacent to Ferry County, Washington | |
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Municipalities and communities ofFerry County, Washington,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
